Oxidation of some seleno-diamines by pig kidney diamine oxidase.

The enzymatic deamination of Se-lanthionamine (Se-L), Se-homolanthionamine (Se-HL) and Se-homocystamine (Se-HC) catalyzed by pig kidney diamine oxidase (PKAO) has been studied to collect information about the possible metabolic reactions of selenocompounds in comparison with the sulfur ones. The results indicate that: Se-L, Se-HL and Se-HC are substrates for PKAO. The first product of Se-L, Se-HL and Se-HC oxidative deamination, in analogy with other thio and seleno diamines, may be the cyclized aminoaldehyde. The final product of Se-L, Se-HL and Se-HC degradation are ammonia, elemental selenium and C2 or C3 compounds.