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Inhibition of DNA and RNA polymerases by sodium selenite and sulfhydryl compounds

Conference · · Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5145203

They have previously shown that sodium selenite has very little, if any, inhibitory effect on DNA and RNA polymerases. They have now found, however, that selenite does cause significant inhibition of DNA and RNA polymerases in the presence of sulfhydryl compounds such as mercaptoethanol and mercaptoethylamine (which themselves have no significant effect on the activity of the enzymes). They have found that there are differences between different enzymes in their sensitivity to inhibition by selenite in the presence of sulfhydryl compounds. Furthermore, there are differences between enzymes in the relative potencies of different sulfhydryl compounds in potentiating the inhibitory effect of selenite. The inhibitory species appears to be the selenotrisulfide adduct described previously by Ganther which forms from the reaction of one mole of selenite with two moles of sulfhydryl compound.

Research Organization:
Rutgers, The State Univ. of New Jersey, New Brunswick
OSTI ID:
5145203
Report Number(s):
CONF-8606151-
Journal Information:
Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 45:6; ISSN FEPRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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