Selenium in biology

<p><a href="/facts/Selenium/k975NApC">Selenium</a> is an essential <a href="/facts/Micronutrient/nwzKuSMQ">micronutrient</a> for animals, though it is toxic in large doses. In plants, it sometimes occurs in toxic amounts as <a href="/facts/Forage/nmHrMYc2">forage</a>, e.g. <a href="/facts/Locoweed/D1TVz2wF">locoweed</a>. Selenium is a component of the <a href="/facts/Amino_acid/WDxYwBny">amino acids</a> <a href="/facts/Selenocysteine/9ovfzrXW">selenocysteine</a> and <a href="/facts/Selenomethionine/WjFvYRxf">selenomethionine</a>. In humans, selenium is a <a href="/facts/Dietary_mineral/ACv8EG7f">trace element</a> nutrient that functions as <a href="/facts/Cofactor_(biochemistry)/AGo0PCUU">cofactor</a> for <a href="/facts/Glutathione_peroxidase/Y7AQpAub">glutathione peroxidases</a> and certain forms of <a href="/facts/Thioredoxin_reductase/WD4BSDxj">thioredoxin reductase</a>. Selenium-containing proteins are produced from inorganic selenium via the intermediacy of <a href="/facts/Selenophosphate_synthetase_1/2tLbbfaM">selenophosphate</a> (PSeO33−).
</p>

Selenium in biology open-in-new

Selenium in biology