Chapter 11. Selenoprotein P

Summary: Selenoprotein P is the major plasma selenoprotein. It is a heparin binding protein and associates with endothelial cells throughout the body. Selenoprotein P contains mUltiple selenocysteine residues and is glycosylated. It is present in isoforms, at least one of which appears to be generated by termination at a UGA codon in the open reading frame. Evidence that selenoprotein P defends against oxidative injury and that it transports selenium to the brain has been presented. Selenium deficiency causes plasma levels of selenoprotein P to decline in rats and in humans.