Figure 4.

Elevated levels of the Se-binding protein SEMO-1 in C. elegans fed on Se-enriched E. coli bacteria. The transgenic C. elegans strain LOK158, overexpressing GFP-tagged SEMO-1 under control of the semo-1 promoter, was supplied with either the standard E. coli OP50 diet or with Se-enriched E. coli OP50 for three days, starting at L1 stage. (A) GFP intensity, given as arbitrary units (A.U.), was determined by fluorescence microscopy, analyzing 20 worms from each group. Data are depicted as means ± S.E.M. from three independent experiments; statistical analysis was performed using an unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction (** p < 0.01). (B) Representative photographs of nematodes that received the standard E. coli OP50 diet (left panel) or Se-enriched E. coli OP50 (right panel).