Schomburg L, Schweizer U, Köhrle J
Institut für Experimentelle Endokrinologie, Charité--Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2004 Aug;61(16):1988-95. doi: 10.1007/s00018-004-4114-z.
Selenium (Se), once known only for its potential toxicity, is now well established as an essential trace element for mammals. Insufficient Se intake predisposes to and manifests in a variety of diseases. Recent studies have proven that it is the synthesis of selenocysteine (Sec)-containing proteins, designated selenoproteins, which represents an essential prerequisite for regular development and a long and healthy life. New transgenic mouse models analysing those selenoproteins with proven enzymatic functions displayed particular phenotypes and highlighted essential Se-dependent processes in development, growth or against specific challenges. While there is a growing molecular understanding of and general agreement on the importance of sufficiently high Se intake and undisturbed selenoprotein biosynthesis, many of the recently identified selenoproteins are still uncharacterised, and the effects and consequences of supra-physiological Se dosages are not biochemically understood. With the recent definition of the human and mouse selenoproteomes and a growing number of available tools, the Se field is now geared for a great leap forward. Se biology has already broadened our knowledge about the genetic code and about protein translation. It now holds great promises also for a better understanding of some key aspects of cancer, inflammation, fertility and prevention of age-associated diseases.
硒（Se），曾经仅因其潜在毒性为人所知，如今已被确认为哺乳动物必需的微量元素。硒摄入不足易引发多种疾病，并在这些疾病中显现出来。最近的研究证明，含硒代半胱氨酸（Sec）的蛋白质（即硒蛋白）的合成是正常发育以及长寿和健康生活的必要前提。分析那些具有已证实酶功能的硒蛋白的新型转基因小鼠模型呈现出特定表型，并突显了发育、生长过程中或应对特定挑战时硒依赖的关键过程。虽然对于充足的高硒摄入和不受干扰的硒蛋白生物合成的重要性，人们在分子层面的理解日益加深且已达成普遍共识，但许多最近鉴定出的硒蛋白仍未得到充分表征，而且超生理剂量硒的影响和后果在生物化学方面还未被了解。随着人类和小鼠硒蛋白组的最新定义以及越来越多可用工具的出现，硒领域如今正准备实现巨大飞跃。硒生物学已经拓宽了我们对遗传密码和蛋白质翻译的认识。现在，它对于更好地理解癌症、炎症、生育能力以及预防与年龄相关疾病的一些关键方面也有着巨大前景。
