The microarray approach did not indicate large-scale influences of Se on the brain transcriptome as a whole or the selenoproteome specifically only one nonselenoproteome gene (si:ch73-44m9.2) was significantly differentially expressed.
We first used a microarray approach to analyze the response of the brain selenoproteome to dietary Se supplementation for 14 days and then assessed the immediacy and time-scale transcriptional response of the brain selenoproteome to 1, 7, and 14 days of Se supplementation by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We evaluated the transcriptional response of Se-dependent genes, selenoproteins and the genes necessary for their synthesis (the selenoproteome), in the zebrafish ( Danio rerio) brain to supplementation with nutritionally relevant levels of dietary Se (sodium selenite) during conditions of assumed Se sufficiency. However, little is known concerning the response of the brain to increased dietary Se under conditions of Se sufficiency, despite the majority of Se supplementation trials occurring in healthy, Se sufficient subjects. The potential benefits of selenium (Se) supplementation are currently under investigation for prevention of certain cancers and treatment of neurological disorders.