Contrasting effects of selenite and tellurite on lipoamide dehydrogenase activity suggest a different biological behaviour of the two chalcogens

► Interaction of selenite and tellurite with mammalian lipoamide dehydrogenase was examined. ► Selenite, in the presence of lipoamide, acts as an indirect substrate for lipoamide dehydrogenase. ► In contrast, tellurite acts as a potent inhibitor of this enzyme. ► This specific property of tellurite can be exploited for theoretical and practical purposes.