Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Structural and Biochemical Studies of Proteins Through Thermal Shift Assays
03:09

Author Spotlight: Advancing Structural and Biochemical Studies of Proteins Through Thermal Shift Assays

Published on: August 9, 2024

1.6K

Selenite activates the ATM kinase-dependent DNA repair pathway in human osteosarcoma cells with mitochondrial

Marta Wojewoda1, Jarosław Walczak1, Jerzy Duszyński1

  • 1Laboratory of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes, Department of Biochemistry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur St, 02-993 Warsaw, Poland.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|April 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Selenium (selenite) may protect against DNA damage in certain cells. This study found selenite activated DNA repair mechanisms in cells with mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting a protective role.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to human diseases.
  • Previous studies showed increased ROS in NARP cybrids, with selenite reducing ROS levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of selenite on oxidative and nitrosative damage in cells with mitochondrial dysfunction.
  • To explore selenite's impact on DNA damage and repair pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of NARP cybrids and Rho0 cells (lacking mitochondrial DNA) with control WT cells.
  • Assessment of oxidative/nitrosative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA.
  • Measurement of histone γH2AX levels and ATM kinase activity.

Main Results:

  • No increased oxidative/nitrosative damage to lipids or proteins was observed in NARP or Rho0 cells.
  • Enhanced formation of DNA double-strand breaks, indicated by histone γH2AX, was found in NARP cybrids and Rho0 cells.
  • Selenite increased ATM kinase activity in NARP and Rho0 cells, but without a corresponding rise in histone γH2AX levels.

Conclusions:

  • Selenite's activation of ATM kinase in NARP and Rho0 cells is not linked to increased DNA damage.
  • Selenite may exert protective effects by activating ATM kinase-dependent DNA repair pathways in cells with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Keywords:
ATM kinaseDNA repairMitochondrial dysfunctionOxidative damageSelenite

More Related Videos

LINE-1 Methylation Analysis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treated with Osteosarcoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles12:18

LINE-1 Methylation Analysis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treated with Osteosarcoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: February 1, 2020

6.3K
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro08:04

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro

Published on: March 18, 2014

13.4K

Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
10.4K
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
3.4K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
5.9K
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...
19.7K