Sex-specific selenoprotein expression and selenium metabolism

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The essential trace element selenium (Se) is important for maintaining health and preventing disease. Poor Se status is a risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases and compromises the immune system. Sex-specific differences in Se metabolism might impact on susceptibility, pathogenesis, and treatment efficiency of certain diseases. We observed sex-specific deficiency symptoms in mice upon genetic inactivation of the major Se transport protein, selenoprotein P (SePP). Liver-derived SePP turned out to be of central importance for Se metabolism and homeostasis. Interestingly, SePP displays a sexual dimorphic expression pattern. Therefore, we aim to analyse sex-specific differences of Se metabolism and elucidate why female liver is relatively inefficient in biosynthesis of certain selenoproteins. As main focus, Se uptake, selenoprotein biosynthesis and Se metabolism will be compared with respect to Se status, Se form and sex. Sexual dimorphic pathways for selenoprotein biosynthesis will be characterized in order to consider their importance for Se-dependent health effects, e.g. during an experimentally evoked antiinflammatory response. The data will clarify if there are sex-specific routes in Se metabolism and might indicate different needs of female and male organisms for this trace element.