Selenium and Selenoproteins: Characterization, Potentiation, and Intracellular Emerging Roles in Cellular Physiology |Biomedgrid

Selenium (Se) is an essential microelement implicated in numerous physiological processes in human health and disease. From physiological roles in thyroid preservation to anti-cancer effects, the role(s) of Se continue to be an intense area of biomedical focus. The roles of Se appear to be, in part, mediated through incorporation of selenium-based proteins termed selenoproteins. In this short review, we review the known roles of these class of proteins, highlighting basic structure, cellular roles, and known implications in health and disease. The overall goal is to provide fundamental appreciation of the importance of selenium and selenoproteins in health and in disease.