Interaction of Heparin with a Selenoprotein in Human Plasma

Summary

A major selenium-containing peak at gel filtration (Sephadex G-150) of human serum had a K_av of 0.19, but using heparinized plasma this peak had a K_av of 0.01. This indicated an interaction between heparin and a major selenium-containing protein, which was not identical to glutathione peroxidase. The effect of heparin was eliminated by the addition of protamine. Approximately 50% of selenium in plasma from healthy subjects was retained on a heparin-Sepharose column, and this protein could be eluted by a gradient of heparin or salt. The data explain some discrepancies on selenium distribution in plasma as due to the use of different anticoagulants.

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