Molecular mechanism of mineral transport related to cellular reactive oxygen species level

在产生和清除活性氧物种(ROS)之间保持微调的平衡对活细胞至关重要。由于矿物质(必需的微量元素)可能是调节ROS水平的一个因素，分子水平上的矿物质运输机制对于理解活细胞中ROS水平的调节机制是必不可少的。在这项研究中，建立了利用X射线吸收光谱分析矿物周围局部结构的技术。此外，还获得了硒转运蛋白P的微晶。进一步的结晶学研究将有助于发现蛋白质中硒中心清除ROS的机制。

A fine-tuned balance between production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is crucial for living cells. Since minerals (essential trace elements) can be a factorin regulation of ROS level, mechanisms of mineral transport at molecular level are essential for understanding the tuning mechanism of the ROS level in living cells. In this study, techniques for analysis of local structure around mineral using X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been established. Also, micro crystals of selenoprotein P, a selenium transporter, have been obtained. Further crystallographic study will be contributed the finding of scavenging mechanism of ROS by selenium-sites in the protein.