TY - JOUR A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Marschall, Talke Anu A1 - Kröpfl, Nina A1 - Jensen, Kenneth Bendix A1 - Aschner, Michael A1 - Tuck, Simon A1 - Kuehnelt, Doris A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Selenium species-dependent toxicity, bioavailability and metabolic transformations in Caenorhabditis elegans JF - Metallomics : integrated biometal science N2 - The essential micronutrient selenium (Se) is required for various systemic functions, but its beneficial range is narrow and overexposure may result in adverse health effects. Additionally, the chemical form of the ingested selenium contributes crucially to its health effects. While small Se species play a major role in Se metabolism, their toxicological effects, bioavailability and metabolic transformations following elevated uptake are poorly understood. Utilizing the tractable invertebrate Caenorhabditis elegans allowed for an alternative approach to study species-specific characteristics of organic and inorganic Se forms in vivo, revealing remarkable species-dependent differences in the toxicity and bioavailability of selenite, selenomethionine (SeMet) and Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys). An inverse relationship was found between toxicity and bioavailability of the Se species, with the organic species displaying a higher bioavailability than the inorganic form, yet being less toxic. Quantitative Se speciation analysis with HPLC/mass spectrometry revealed a partial metabolism of SeMet and MeSeCys. In SeMet exposed worms, identified metabolites were Se-adenosylselenomethionine (AdoSeMet) and Se-adenosylselenohomocysteine (AdoSeHcy), while worms exposed to MeSeCys produced Se-methylselenoglutathione (MeSeGSH) and -glutamyl-MeSeCys (-Glu-MeSeCys). Moreover, the possible role of the sole selenoprotein in the nematode, thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR-1), was studied comparing wildtype and trxr-1 deletion mutants. Although a lower basal Se level was detected in trxr-1 mutants, Se toxicity and bioavailability following acute exposure was indistinguishable from wildtype worms. Altogether, the current study demonstrates the suitability of C. elegans as a model for Se species dependent toxicity and metabolism, while further research is needed to elucidate TrxR-1 function in the nematode. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c8mt00066b SN - 1756-5901 SN - 1756-591X VL - 10 IS - 6 SP - 818 EP - 827 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Raschke, Stefanie A1 - Aschner, Michael A1 - Tuck, Simon A1 - Kuehnelt, Doris A1 - Kipp, Anna Patricia A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Treatment of caenorhabditis elegans with small selenium species enhances antioxidant defense systems JF - Molecular nutrition & food research : bioactivity, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, safety, technology N2 - ScopeSmall selenium (Se) species play a key role in Se metabolism and act as dietary sources of the essential trace element. However, they are redox-active and trigger pro- and antioxidant responses. As health outcomes are strongly species-dependent, species-specific characteristics of Se compounds are tested in vivo. Methods and resultsIn the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), immediate and sustained effects of selenite, selenomethionine (SeMet), and Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) are studied regarding their bioavailability, incorporation into proteins, as well as modulation of the cellular redox status. While all tested Se compounds are bioavailable, only SeMet persistently accumulates and is non-specifically incorporated into proteins. However, the protection toward chemically-induced formation of reactive species is independent of the applied Se compound. Increased thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD) activity and changes in mRNA expression levels of antioxidant proteins indicate the activation of cellular defense mechanisms. However, in txnrd-1 deletion mutants, no protective effects of the Se species are observed anymore, which is also reflected by differential gene expression data. ConclusionSe species protect against chemically-induced reactive species formation. The identified immediate and sustained systemic effects of Se species give rise to speculations on possible benefits facing subsequent periods of inadequate Se intake. KW - antioxidant defense systems KW - caenorhabditis elegans KW - selenium KW - oxidative stress KW - selenoproteins Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201801304 SN - 1613-4125 SN - 1613-4133 VL - 63 IS - 9 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Kroepfl, Nina A1 - Bornhorst, Julia A1 - Kühnelt, Doris A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja T1 - Side-directed transfer and presystemic metabolism of selenoneine in a human intestinal barrier model JF - Molecular nutrition & food research : bioactivity, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, safety, technology N2 - Scope: Selenoneine, a recently discovered selenium (Se) species mainly present in marine fish, is the Se analogue of ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing purported antioxidant. Although similar properties have been proposed for selenoneine, data on its relevance to human health are yet scarce. Here, the transfer and presystemic metabolism of selenoneine in an in vitro model of the human intestinal barrier are investigated. Methods and results: Selenoneine and the reference species Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenite are applied to the Caco-2 intestinal barrier model. Selenoneine is transferred in higher amounts, but with similar kinetics as selenite, while MeSeCys shows the highest permeability. In contrast to the reference species, transfer of selenoneine is directed toward the blood side. Cellular Se contents demonstrate that selenoneine is efficiently taken up by Caco-2 cells. Moreover, HPLC/MS-based Se speciation studies reveal a partial metabolism to Se-methylselenoneine, a metabolite previously detected in human blood and urine. Conclusions: Selenoneine is likely to pass the intestinal barrier via transcellular, carrier-mediated transport, is highly bioavailable to Caco-2 cells and undergoes metabolic transformations. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate its possible health effects and to characterize the metabolism of selenoneine in humans. KW - bioavailability KW - Caco-2 intestinal barrier model KW - presystemic metabolism KW - selenoneine KW - Se-methylselenoneine Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201900080 SN - 1613-4125 SN - 1613-4133 VL - 63 IS - 12 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Kroepfl, Nina A1 - Aschner, Michael A1 - Bornhorst, Julia A1 - Kuehnelt, Doris A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja T1 - Selenoneine ameliorates peroxide-induced oxidative stress in C. elegans JF - Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology N2 - Scope: Selenoneine (2-selenyl-N-alpha, N-alpha, N-alpha-trimethyl-L-histidine), the selenium (Se) analogue of the ubiquitous thiol compound and putative antioxidant ergothioneine, is the major organic selenium species in several marine fish species. Although its antioxidant efficacy has been proposed, selenoneine has been poorly characterized, preventing conclusions on its possible beneficial health effects. Methods and results: Treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) with selenoneine for 18 h attenuated the induction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). However, the effect was not immediate, occurring 48 h post-treatment. Total Se and Se speciation analysis revealed that selenoneine was efficiently taken up and present in its original form directly after treatment, with no metabolic transformations observed. 48 h posttreatment, total Se in worms was slightly higher compared to controls and no selenoneine could be detected. Conclusion: The protective effect of selenoneine may not be attributed to the presence of the compound itself, but rather to the activation of molecular mechanisms with consequences at more protracted time points. KW - Selenoneine KW - Caenorhabditis elegans KW - Selenium KW - Oxidative stress Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2019.05.012 SN - 0946-672X VL - 55 SP - 78 EP - 81 PB - Elsevier GMBH CY - München ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Homann, Thomas A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Aschner, Michael A. A1 - Link, Christopher D. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin JF - Scientific reports N2 - The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time-and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight - mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling. Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37346 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 6 PB - Nature Publ. Group CY - London ER - TY - THES A1 - Rohn, Isabelle T1 - Food-relevant selenium species BT - toxic and ameliorative roles in vivo and in vitro Y1 - ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Homann, Thomas A1 - Rohn, Isabelle A1 - Aschner, Michael A. A1 - Link, Christopher D. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia T1 - Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin JF - Scientific reports N2 - The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling. KW - n-acetyl-cysteine KW - s-glutathionylation KW - force-field KW - c. elegans KW - life-span KW - protein KW - cells KW - menadione KW - disease KW - binding Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1038/srep37346 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 6 PB - Nature Publishing Group CY - London ER -