The Drosophila selenophosphate synthetase (selD) gene is required for development and cell proliferation.

To study the function of selenoproteins in development and growth we have used a lethal mutation (selD(ptuf)) of the Drosophila homologous selenophosphate synthetase (selD) gene. This enzyme is involved in the selenoprotein biosynthesis. The selD(ptuf) loss-of-function mutation causes aberrant cell proliferation and differentiation patterns in the brain and imaginal discs, as deduced from genetic mosaics, patterns of gene expression and analysis of cell cycle markers. In addition to that, selenium metabolism is also necessary for the ras/MAPKinase signal tansduction pathway. Therefore, the use of Drosophila imaginal discs and brain and in particular the selD(ptuf) mutation, provide an excellent model to investigate the role of selenoproteins in the regulation of cell proliferation, growth and differentiation.