SePP (selenoprotein P) is central for selenium transport and distribution. Targeted inactivation of the Sepp gene in mice leads to reduced selenium content in plasma, kidney, testis and brain. Accordingly, activities of selenoenzymes are reduced in Sepp(-/-) organs. Male Sepp(-/-) mice are infertile. Unlike selenium deficiency, Sepp deficiency leads to neurological impairment with ataxia and se...

Selenoprotein P (Sepp) is an extracellular glycoprotein which functions principally as a selenium (Se) transporter and antioxidant. In order to assess the spatiotemporal expression of the Sepp gene during mouse embryogenesis, quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses were conducted in embryos and extraembryonic tissues, including placenta. Sepp mRNA expression was detected in all e...

Distribution of selenium (Se) within the mammalian body is mediated by SePP (selenoprotein P), an Se-rich glycoprotein secreted by hepatocytes. Genetic and biochemical evidence indicate that the endocytic receptors ApoER2 (apolipoprotein E receptor 2) and megalin mediate tissue-specific SePP uptake. In the present study megalin-mutant mice were fed on diets containing adequate (0.15 p.p.m.) or ...

Selenoprotein P (Se-P) contains most of the selenium in plasma. Its function is not known. Mice with the Se-P gene deleted (Sepp(-/-)) were generated. Two phenotypes were observed: 1) Sepp(-/-) mice lost weight and developed poor motor coordination when fed diets with selenium below 0.1 mg/kg, and 2) male Sepp(-/-) mice had sharply reduced fertility. Weanling male Sepp(+/+), Sepp(+/-), and Sepp...

Selenium (Se) is essentially needed for the biosynthesis of selenoproteins. Low Se intake causes reduced selenoprotein biosynthesis and constitutes a risk factor for tumorigenesis. Accordingly, some Se supplementation trials have proven effective to reduce prostate cancer risk, especially in poorly supplied individuals. Because Se metabolism is controlled by selenoprotein P (SEPP), we have test...

Selenium (Se), a micronutrient essential for human health, is incorporated into at least 25 selenoproteins including selenoprotein P (SePP), which transports Se within the body. This research identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SePP gene, one in the coding region (position 24731, causing an Ala to Thr change) and one in the 3'untranslated region (position 25191). Their ...

Selenium (Se) plays an important role in bone physiology as best reflected by Kashin-Beck disease, an endemic Se-dependent osteoarthritis. Bone development is delayed in children with mutations in SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2), a central factor for selenoprotein biosynthesis. Circulating selenoprotein P (SePP) is positively associated with bone turnover in humans, yet its function for bone hom...

Liver-specific inactivation of Trsp, the gene for selenocysteine tRNA, removes SePP (selenoprotein P) from plasma, causing serum selenium levels to fall from 298 microg/l to 50 microg/l and kidney selenium to decrease to 36% of wild-type levels. Likewise, glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in plasma and kidney to 43% and 18% respectively of wild-type levels. This agrees nicely with dat...

Selenoprotein P (SePP), the major selenoprotein in plasma, has been implicated in selenium transport, selenium detoxification or antioxidant defence. We generated SePP-knockout mice that were viable, but exhibited reduced growth and developed ataxia. Selenium content was elevated in liver, but low in plasma and other tissues, and selenoenzyme activities changed accordingly. Our data reveal that...