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SPP 1087:  Selenoproteine - Biochemische Grundlagen und klinische Bedeutung

Subject Area Biology
Term from 2000 to 2006
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5470054
 
The priority programme "Selenoproteins - Biochemical Basis and Clinical Aspects" deals with a new peculiar group of proteins, which contain the proteinogenic 21st amino acid selenocysteine as essential component of their active site. The trace element selenium, which is essential for animals and some microorganisms, acts mainly via these selenoproteins. Cotranslational incorporation of selenocysteine occurs in the context of a specific hairpin loop in 3'-position of UGA codons of mRNAs encoding selenoproteins. Special, partly selenium-dependent translation factors and a selenocysteine-charged tRNA are required and prevent chain termination usually programmed by UGA. Analysis of the biosynthesis of the amino acid selenocysteine and its incorporation into selenoproteins is one of the research topics of this interdisciplinary priority programme. A further aim is the resolution of the structures of components involved. Functional characterization of known and new selenoproteins and investigations on the regulation of expression of selenoproteins will reveal information on the biological role of selenium in normal physiology and in pathological conditions and diseases. Between 30 and 50 mammalian selenoproteins are expected to exist. Selenoproteins so far known are involved in antioxidative cellular defense (glutathione peroxidases), regulation of cellular redox state and transcription (thioredoxin reductases), thyroid hormone metabolism (deiodinases), spermatogenesis, and bacterial generation of energy. Selenium status has also been linked to various forms of cancer. The interdisciplinary links between genetics, microbiology, developmental biology, biochemistry, and medicine in the projects of this priority research programme will provide synergisms to advance this exciting field of life sciences.
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