Abstract
Selenophosphate synthetase (SPS) is essential for selenoprotein biosynthesis. In two SPS paralogues, SPS1 was only cloned from a cDNA library prepared from avian organ. However, the biological function of SPS1 in chicken central nervous system (CNS) remains largely unclear. To investigate the role of avian SPS1 in the development and selenium (Se) homeostasis of CNS, fertile eggs, chicken embryos, embryo neurons and chicks were employed in this study. The response of SPS1 transcription to the development and Se levels of CNS tissues was analyzed using qRT-PCR. SPS1 gene exists extensively in the development of chicken CNS. The wide expression of avian SPS1 can be controlled by the Se content levels, which suggests that SPS1 is important in the regulation of Se homeostasis. The fundamental mechanism of these effects is that Se alters the half-life and stability of SPS1 mRNA. Therefore, SPS1 exerts an irreplaceable biological function in chicken CNS and Se homeostasis is closely related to the expression of SPS1. These results suggested that SPS1 was required for the development and Se homeostasis of CNS in chicken.
Highlights
Selenium (Se) is a necessary micronutrient which is unique among trace elements in life activity
When chickens fed diet was supplemented with 1.5 mg/kg Se (H-Se), Se levels did not change remarkably in the cerebral cortex, cerebral nuclei and marrow at 35d, thalamus, brain stem and medulla oblongata at 15d, and cerebellum at 15d and 25d compared with C-Se group, which indicated that Se homeostasis exhibited in chicken brain during Se supplementation, and the result was consistent with our previous study [7]
The SPS1 mRNA level in brain stem increased at 15d, further increases in time resulted in a reduction of SPS1 mRNA level after reaching a maximal level at 25d
Summary
Selenium (Se) is a necessary micronutrient which is unique among trace elements in life activity. Se can reduce lipid peroxidation, elevate the activity of selenoenzyme and protect cells [1, 2], it is important for the central nervous system (CNS). Se has been regarded as a component in bovine serum which is requisite to maintain neurons in serum-free media [3]. It has been reported that Se acts a part in neurological disease [4]. The CNS is extremely sensitive to Se poisoning [1]. The neurotoxicity of Se compounds is demonstrated by its capability to induce motor neurons degeneration [5]. A recent study has confirmed that the brain competes for the utilization of Se under Se-compromised conditions, with concomitant effects on neurodegeneration and neurodevelopment [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
