Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Biological Samples Preparation for Speciation at Cryogenic Temperature using High-Resolution X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
06:00

Biological Samples Preparation for Speciation at Cryogenic Temperature using High-Resolution X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Published on: May 27, 2022

Apoptotic cellular events for selenium compounds involved in cancer prevention

Hidemi Rikiishi1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. riki@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes
|June 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Selenium (Se) compounds can reduce cancer risk by inducing apoptosis, a programmed cell death. Understanding Se

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epidemiological, ecological, and clinical studies suggest selenium (Se) intake is linked to reduced risk for certain human cancers.
  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a key cellular mechanism underlying the cancer-preventive effects of selenium.
  • Selenium compounds modulate various cellular components, including signaling molecules, mitochondria, transcription factors, and tumor suppressor genes, prior to apoptosis induction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms by which selenium (Se) exerts its cancer-preventive effects, focusing on the induction of apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the role of different selenium metabolites, such as methylselenol and hydrogen selenide, in chemoprevention and potential toxicity.
  • To highlight the importance of considering the chemical form, dose, and experimental system when studying selenium's biological activities.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on selenium's effects on cancer cells and molecular pathways.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the induction of apoptosis by selenium compounds.
  • Examination of mechanistic data on selenium metabolites and their impact on cellular processes.

Main Results:

  • The methylselenol metabolite pool exhibits favorable chemopreventive properties.
  • Excessive selenoprotein synthesis, particularly from the hydrogen selenide pool, can result in DNA single-strand breaks.
  • Selenium's biological effects are highly dependent on its chemical form, dosage, and the experimental model used.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium's cancer-preventive potential is significantly mediated through the induction of apoptosis.
  • Understanding the distinct roles of selenium metabolites is crucial for optimizing its chemopreventive strategies.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex dose- and form-dependent mechanisms of selenium in cancer prevention.

Related Concept Videos

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...