title: More roles for selenoprotein P: local selenium storage and recycling protein in the brain.
abstract: How is the essential micronutrient, selenium (Se), transported in the serum and then donated to tissues? In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Schweizer and colleagues demonstrate, using conditional and total mouse knockout models, that SePP (selenoprotein P) is the major transporter of Se in the serum. Moreover, in the sanctuary area of the brain, SePP was shown to play a hitherto unexpected role as a local Se storage and recycling protein that directly maintains brain Se levels. Considering the function of Se in normal brain metabolism, these results are crucial for our understanding of the role of selenoproteins in redox regulation, antioxidant defences, thyroid hormone metabolism and the development of neurodegenerative conditions.
authors.affiliation: Iron Metabolism and Chelation Program, Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research, PO Box 81, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. d.richardson@ccia.org.au
authors.forename: Des R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism*; D051149:Selenoprotein P; D051140:Selenoproteins
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D051149:Selenoprotein P; D051140:Selenoproteins; D012643:Selenium
references.citation: Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2004 Jul;45(3):164-78
references.pmid: 15210302
references.citation: FASEB J. 2003 Jan;17(1):112-4
references.pmid: 12424220
references.citation: Biochem J. 2003 Mar 1;370(Pt 2):397-402
references.pmid: 12521380
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 2003 Apr 18;278(16):13640-6
references.pmid: 12574155
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 2004 Feb 27;279(9):8011-7
references.pmid: 14660662
references.citation: Thyroid. 2000 Feb;10(2):141-9
references.pmid: 10718550
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1982 Oct 28;719(1):147-53
references.pmid: 6216918
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1989 Feb 13;979(1):20-6
references.pmid: 2537106
references.citation: Am J Physiol. 1991 Jul;261(1 Pt 1):E26-30
references.pmid: 1858872
references.citation: Semin Hematol. 1998 Jan;35(1):35-54
references.pmid: 9460808
references.citation: Biochem J. 2005 Mar 1;386(Pt 2):221-6
references.pmid: 15638810