Selenoproteins

Selenium is a micronutrient contained by 25 proteins inside the body - called selenoproteins, most of which are enzymes that have antioxidant properties, and prevent cellular damage caused by the by-products of oxygen metabolism. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Researchers also discovered the first known animal to lack genes to produce selenoproteins, a type of protein needed to get rid of excess selenium in the body, in the fruit fly species Drosophila willistoni. ❋ Unknown (2007)

The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. ❋ Amp;34; (2010)

Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system, DNA repair, and the detoxification of heavy metals. ❋ Amp;34; (2010)

Taken together, our results show that TH positively affects the serum selenium status and regulates the expression of several selenoproteins. ❋ PLoS ONE (2010)

Furthermore, TH affected the mRNA levels for several enzymes involved in selenoprotein biosynthesis as well as serum selenoprotein P concentrations and the expression of other antioxidative selenoproteins. ❋ PLoS ONE (2010)

Other selenoproteins-proteins which store, carry, or utilize Se-are involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, muscle function, male fertility, and immune regulation. ❋ Unknown (2010)

The reason for this is that selenium is included in proteins to make selenoproteins, significant antioxidant enzymes. ❋ Unknown (2009)

87 Selenium is incor-porated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. ❋ Amp;34; (2010)