Gene Association: VWCE

Selenomethionine

C5H11NO2Se (196.9955)

L-selenomethionine is the L-enantiomer of selenomethionine. It is an enantiomer of a D-selenomethionine. It is a tautomer of a L-selenomethionine zwitterion. Selenomethionine is a naturally occuring amino acid in some plant materials such as cereal grains, soybeans and enriched yeast but it cannot be synthesized from animals or humans. It can be produced from post-structural modifications. *In vivo*, selenomethionine plays an essential role in acting as an antioxidant, where it depletes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aids in the formation and recycling of glutathione, another important antioxidant. In comparison to selenite, which is the inorganic form of selenium, the organic form of selenomethionine is more readily absorbed in the human body. Selenomethionin is used in biochemical laboratories where its incorporation into proteins that need to be visualized enhances the performance of X-ray crystallography. L-Selenomethionine is the amino acid methionine with selenium substituting for the sulphur moiety. Methionine is an essential amino acid in humans, whereas selenium is a free-radical scavenging anti-oxidant, essential for the protection of various tissues from the damages of lipid peroxidation. As a trace mineral that is toxic in high doses, selenium is a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase, an anti-oxidant enzyme that neutralizes hydrogen peroxide. L-Selenomethionine is considered a safe, efficacious form of selenium and is readily bioavailable. Selenium may be chemoprotective for certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. (NCI04) Diagnostic aid in pancreas function determination. Selenomethionine (CAS: 1464-42-2) is an amino acid containing selenium that cannot be synthesized by higher animals but can be obtained from plant material. Selenomethionine is the major seleno-compound in cereal grains (wheat grain, maize, and rice), soybeans, and enriched yeast. Seleno-compounds present in plants may have a profound effect on the health of animals and human subjects. It is now known that the total Se content cannot be used as an indication of its efficacy, but knowledge of individual selenocompounds is necessary to fully assess the significance. Thus, speciation of the seleno-compounds has moved to the forefront. Since animals and man are dependent upon plants for their nutritional requirements, this makes the types of seleno-compounds in plants even more critical. Se enters the food chain through incorporation into plant proteins, mostly as selenocysteine and selenomethionine at normal Se levels. There are two possible pathways for the catabolism of selenomethionine. One is the transsulfuration pathway via selenocystathionine to produce selenocysteine, which in turn is degraded into H2Se by the enzyme beta-lyase. The other pathway is the transamination-decarboxylation pathway. It was estimated that 90\\\\% of methionine is metabolized through this pathway and thus could be also the major route for selenomethionine catabolism (PMID:14748935). Found in onion, cabbage, coco de mono (Lecythis elliptica), Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa), wheat grains and other plants. Dietary supplement for avoidance of Se deficiency in humans and ruminants C26170 - Protective Agent > C275 - Antioxidant The L-enantiomer of selenomethionine. L-SelenoMethionine, an L-isomer of Selenomethionine, is a major natural food-form of selenium. L-SelenoMethionin is a cancer chemopreventive agent that can reduce cancer incidence by dietary supplementation and induce apoptosis of cancer cells. L-SelenoMethionine also can increase expression of glutathione peroxidase[1][2][3]. Selenomethionine is a naturally occurring amino acid containing selenium and is a common natural food source.