Trends in selenium biochemistry

Abstract

Covering: 1934 to early 2002. The biochemistry of selenium-containing natural products, including selenoproteins, is reviewed up to May 2002. Particular emphasis is placed on the assimilation of selenium from inorganic and organic selenium sources for selenoprotein synthesis, the catalytic role of selenium in enzymes, and medical implications of an unbalanced selenium supply. The review contains 393 references on key discoveries and recent progress.