Selective assimilation of selenite by Escherichia coli

The assimilation of selenite by Escherichia coli involves a transport process specific for this anion. Cystine, a repressor of sulfate and selenite uptake, when added to the growth medium, had no effect on selenite uptake; nor did sulfite inhibit assimilation of selenite. Cells grown aerobically in a basic salts medium transported selenite at an initial rate of 0.14 mumol . g-1 min-1 and a Vmax of 393.0 mumol. g-1 . min-1. In contrast, cells grown in a medium that contained the trace elements necessary for synthesis of the selenoenzyme formate dehydrogenase took up selenite at a significantly faster rate (initial rate = 0.27 mumol . g-1 . min-1, Vmax = 658.2 mumol . g-1 . min-1). Km values for the transport process in the two media, however, were found to be similar. The results suggest the existence of a metabolic pathway, specific for selenite, responsible for the incorporation of selenium into formate dehydrogenase.U