Impact of Trivalent Arsenicals on Selenoprotein Synthesis

Abstract

These results suggest that arsenite and MMA(III) are key metabolites that trigger higher levels of TrxR1, and both lead to a reduction in the expression of cGpx. Together these effects certainly could lead to carcinogenesis given the knowledge that many cancers have higher levels of TrxR, and reduced Gpx levels will reduce the cell's ability to defend against reactive oxygen species. Based on these results, the impact of the trivalent arsenicals arsenite and MMA(III) on selenoprotein synthesis may indeed represent a potential molecular mechanism for the higher rates of cancer observed in populations exposed to high levels of arsenic.