A transgenic mouse model for atherosclerosis with appropriate cholesterol profiles and histopathology

Abstract

A convenient method for the synthesis of a new selenium-containing amino acid, l-selenodjenkolate (3,3′-methylenediselenobis(2-aminopropionic acid)), is described. The starting material, selenocystine, was found to be prepared easily from commercially available β-chloro-l-alanine, elemental selenium, and sodium borohydride. These synthetic procedures are useful for the preparation of the isotope-labeled compounds. The physicochemical properties of selenodjenkolate thus prepared are reported. This amino acid undergoes α,β-elimination to produce pyruvate, formaldehyde, ammonia, and selenium by bacterial methionine γ-lyase under acrobic conditions: the Vmax and Km values were determined to be 0.5 μmol/min/mg and 2.3 mm, respectively.