Occurrence of selenium-containing tRNAs in mouse leukemia cells

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 May;81(10):3010-3. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.10.3010.

Abstract

Selenium incorporation into the polynucleotide structures of tRNAs has been documented in several microorganisms. In the present study, selenium-containing species were isolated from bulk tRNA preparations from 75Se-labeled mouse leukemia cells. The major 75Se-labeled species was similar in size and exhibited the same sensitivity to ribonuclease as did Escherichia coli tRNAs. The chromatographic properties of the intact major selenium-containing tRNA species indicated it to be very hydrophobic in character. The selenium component that is unstable at neutral-to-alkaline pH but is relatively stable at acid pH is not an esterified selenoamino acid. HPLC analysis of enzymic digests of the major selenium-containing species detected selenium-containing hydrophobic products (probably selenonucleosides ). These properties strongly suggest that the selenium in the mouse leukemia-cell tRNAs is present in the form of a selenium-modified nucleoside.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods
  • Leukemia L1210 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Neoplasm / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Transfer / isolation & purification*
  • Selenium / analysis
  • Selenium / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • seleno-tRNA
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Selenium