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Bioinformatics of Selenoproteins
Didac Santesmasses1, Marco Mariotti1, Vadim N Gladyshev1
1Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
|February 8, 2020
Summary
Bioinformatics tools and genome data advance selenium research, aiding selenoprotein discovery and evolution studies. Computational approaches reveal insights into selenium
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics and Proteomics
Background:
- Bioinformatics has significantly advanced selenium research by providing computational tools and genome resources for studying selenoproteins.
- The availability of complete selenoproteomes enables global analysis of selenocysteine (Sec) distribution and selenoprotein evolution across life.
- Human genetic variants in selenoprotein genes offer insights into adaptations to selenium levels and selective pressures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing bioinformatics tools for selenoprotein gene identification.
- To discuss bioinformatic approaches for studying selenium biology and selenoprotein function.
- To highlight the role of omics technologies in understanding selenoprotein synthesis and Sec incorporation.
Main Methods:
- Review of bioinformatics tools and databases for selenoprotein gene identification.
- Analysis of selenoproteomes to determine the distribution and evolution of selenocysteine.
- Examination of human genetic variants in selenoprotein genes.
- Discussion of omics technologies for studying selenoprotein synthesis.
Main Results:
- Bioinformatics has enabled comprehensive studies on selenoprotein distribution, evolution, and human adaptations.
- Gene identification and characterization of selenoproteins have been facilitated by computational tools.
- Human genetic variations in selenoprotein genes are linked to congenital disorders and population adaptations.
- Omics technologies provide new avenues for investigating selenoprotein mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Bioinformatics is crucial for advancing selenium research, from gene discovery to understanding evolutionary and clinical aspects.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of Sec insertion and selenoprotein synthesis regulation in mammals.
- Omics technologies hold promise for future discoveries in selenoprotein biology and selenium metabolism.
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