Nuclear selenoproteins and genome maintenance

Selenium is an essential metalloid required for the expression of selenoproteins. While cells are constantly challenged by clastogens of endogenous and exogenous origins, genome integrity is maintained by direct repair of DNA damage, redox balance, and epigenetic regulation. To date, only five selenoproteins are experimentally demonstrated to reside in nucleus, exclusively or partially, including selenoprotein H, methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase 1, glutathione peroxidase-4, thioredoxin reductase-1, and thioredoxin glutathione reductase. All these five selenoproteins have demonstrated or potential roles in redox regulation and genome maintenance. Selenoprotein H is known to transactivate the expression of a couple of genes against oxidative stress. The thioredoxin reductase-1b isoform delivers estrogen receptor-α and -β to the nucleus. Nuclear glutathione peroxidase-4 epigenetically and globally inhibits gene expression through the maintenance of chromatin compactness in testes. Continued studies on how these and additional nuclear selenoproteins regulate genome stability will have profound impact on advancing our understanding in selenium regulation of optimal health. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 68(1):5-12, 2016.