Selenium to selenoproteins - role in COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Antioxidant defense disruption is key in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
• Selenium is vital for managing reactive oxygen species (ROS) during viral infections.
• Selenoproteins combat oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role and mechanisms of selenium, selenoproteins, and virally encoded selenoproteins in viral pathogenicity.
• To explore the potential identification of selenoproteins in the COVID-19 genome.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on selenium's role in viral infections.
• Computational analysis for identifying virally encoded selenoproteins (e.g., in HIV-1, JEV, HCV).

Main Results:

• Selenoproteins modulate immune responses, including type I interferon, T cell proliferation, and macrophage oxidative burst.
• Virally encoded selenoproteins have been identified in various viral genomes.
• Selenium's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are critical in viral infections.

Conclusions:

• Selenium and selenoproteins are significant factors in viral pathogenicity.
• Further investigation into selenoproteins in the COVID-19 genome can elucidate its role in pathogenesis.
• Understanding these mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies against viral diseases.