Se-selenomethionine turnover as an index of protein metabolism during cold exposure of white mice

Abstract

The alterations of protein metabolism during cold acclimation were investigated in white mice by using the total body activity of methionine-⁷⁵Se as an index. The protein turnover rate was increased 18% during acute exposure to 4 °C and 29% in cold-acclimated animals. The data on the restricted-fed mice at 4 °C temperature suggested that cold stress results in an increased protein turnover rate independent of increased food consumption. It is suggested that elevated energy metabolism during cold acclimation is partly due to an increased protein metabolism.