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Published on: June 21, 2021
Current Advances in the Physiological Roles of the Thioredoxin-Like Family of Selenoproteins
Qingzhou Wang1, Wen-Hsing Cheng2
1Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
Abstract:
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element whose physiological functions in redox regulation, immunity, and metabolism are primarily executed by 25 distinct human selenoproteins. While systemic Se status is maintained through a tightly regulated hepatic distribution hierarchy and receptor-mediated transport to vital organs, recent research has significantly advanced our understanding of the specific roles of individual selenoproteins. This review focuses on the thioredoxin-like family, comprising SELENOT, SELENOV, SELENOW, and SELENOH, which share a conserved Rdx fold but perform diverse, tissue-specific functions. SELENOT has been implicated in the development and function of catecholaminergic circuits and may contribute to the regulation of calcium homeostasis, while SELENOV appears to play a role in modulating energy balance, adiposity, and hepatic responses to stress resistance. Emerging evidence suggests that SELENOW may play roles in muscle maintenance, bone remodeling, and inflammation resolution, with potential involvement in neuroprotection via regulation of tau homeostasis. Finally, the nuclear-localized SELENOH preserves genomic stability and is involved in cell cycle progression. By integrating findings from molecular pathways and physiological data from knockout mouse models, this review highlights the roles of these four proteins in supporting cellular viability and physiological homeostasis under conditions of oxidative and metabolic stress.
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