Introduction 2ece: Difference between revisions
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The trace element Selenium (Se)has been known to cause major health problems in livestock and man in soils which are rich | The trace element Selenium (Se) has been known to cause major health problems in livestock and man in soils which are rich in this mineral [[http://compbio.chemistry.uq.edu.au/mediawiki/index.php/References_2ece Birringer, M., Pilawa, S. and Flohe, L. (2002]]). Due to this association of selenium rich soils with these health problems, the beneficial role of this element was severely overlooked until the 1950's when it was discovered to be involved in the synthesis of most enzymes, like redox enzymes. The roles of selenium into important biochemical reactions was pioneered by Thressa Stadtman [http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman/nose_selenium.htm selenium biochemistry] by the early 1970’s after an observation that bacterial cells required selenium, in their synthesis of an important enzyme, glycine reductase. Further research was carried out and it was found that this element can substitute sulphur in the cysteine amino acid and form a 21st amino acid dubbed as selenocysteine. Selenium exists as a compound in the soil in form of selenate and after absorption it undergoes a series of biochemical steps that involves a passage or binding of one protein to another. It is as well known that selenium in mammals can be transported via haemoglobin (Haratake et al, 2008) and the mechanism and/or protein that mediate its transition from the blood to the whole areas in mammalian body where Selenium plays some important roles. | ||
History of selenium biochemistry[http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman/movies_html/vid5-1_LG.htm Selenium biochemistry video] | History of selenium biochemistry[http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman/movies_html/vid5-1_LG.htm Selenium biochemistry video] | ||
[http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman/movies_QT/video5-1_256k.mov movie file] | [http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/stadtman/movies_QT/video5-1_256k.mov movie file] | ||
Revision as of 10:05, 6 June 2008
The trace element Selenium (Se) has been known to cause major health problems in livestock and man in soils which are rich in this mineral [Birringer, M., Pilawa, S. and Flohe, L. (2002]). Due to this association of selenium rich soils with these health problems, the beneficial role of this element was severely overlooked until the 1950's when it was discovered to be involved in the synthesis of most enzymes, like redox enzymes. The roles of selenium into important biochemical reactions was pioneered by Thressa Stadtman selenium biochemistry by the early 1970’s after an observation that bacterial cells required selenium, in their synthesis of an important enzyme, glycine reductase. Further research was carried out and it was found that this element can substitute sulphur in the cysteine amino acid and form a 21st amino acid dubbed as selenocysteine. Selenium exists as a compound in the soil in form of selenate and after absorption it undergoes a series of biochemical steps that involves a passage or binding of one protein to another. It is as well known that selenium in mammals can be transported via haemoglobin (Haratake et al, 2008) and the mechanism and/or protein that mediate its transition from the blood to the whole areas in mammalian body where Selenium plays some important roles.
History of selenium biochemistrySelenium biochemistry video movie file
