Gene expression of selenoproteins can be regulated by selenoprotein K silencing in chicken myoblasts.

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of Selenoprotein K (Selk) silencing on the mRNA expression of 25 selenoproteins in chicken myoblasts. The specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) for Selk gene was designed and transfected into chicken myoblasts. Post-transfection mRNA expression of 25 selenoproteins was determined at various time periods i.e., 24, 48 and 72 h. Moreover, based on the results of expression of 25 selenoproteins, correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used for further analysis. The results showed that the designed siRNA effectively inhibited Selk expression (decreased by 20, 29 and 43 % on 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively) and the mRNA expression levels of the 23 selenoproteins were influenced by silencing Selk differently (P < 0.05). Time-dependent pattern of mRNA expression after siRNA treatment in three groups were found similar: one group including Gpx1, Gpx2, Gpx3, Gpx4, Txnrd1, Txnrd2, Txnrd3, Sepw1, Selh, Sepp1, Selo and Sepx1, another group including Sepn1, Sels, Selt, Selm and Sep15 and other group including Dio2 and Dio3. The results of correlation analysis showed that Gpx1, Gpx2, Gpx3, Gpx4, Dio1, Dio3, Sepn1, Sels, Sepw1, Selt, Selh, Sep15, Seli and Selu had a positive correlation with Selk, while Dio2 and Sepp1 had a negative correlation with Selk. PCA data also indicated that Txnrd1, Txnrd2, Dio2, Selpb, Sepp1and Selo may play special roles in response to Selk silencing. In summary, these results indicated that different selenoproteins possess and exhibits distinct responses to silencing of Selk in chicken myoblasts.