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Selenoprotein P – Function, Biomarker & Health

Selenoprotein P is a selenium-containing transport protein produced in the liver that distributes selenium throughout the body. It is considered the most reliable biomarker for selenium status.

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Things worth knowing about "Selenoprotein P"

Selenoprotein P is a selenium-containing transport protein produced in the liver that distributes selenium throughout the body. It is considered the most reliable biomarker for selenium status.

What is Selenoprotein P?

Selenoprotein P (also known as SELENOP or SelP) is a plasma glycoprotein that contains multiple selenocysteine residues. It is primarily synthesized in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream, where it transports selenium to various tissues and organs. Selenium is an essential trace element required for numerous biological processes in the human body.

Biological Functions

Selenoprotein P fulfills several key roles in the human organism:

Selenium transport: As the main selenium carrier protein in plasma, Selenoprotein P supplies tissues such as the brain, testes, and kidneys with selenium -- organs that are particularly dependent on adequate selenium supply.
Antioxidant protection: Selenoprotein P acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Immune modulation: It plays a role in regulating inflammatory responses and supporting immune system function.
Selenium supply for biosynthesis: Selenoprotein P provides selenium as a substrate for the biosynthesis of other selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductases.

Biomarker for Selenium Status

The concentration of Selenoprotein P in blood plasma is considered the most reliable biomarker for whole-body selenium status. Unlike simple serum selenium measurements, Selenoprotein P also reflects selenium availability for organs with high demand. Reference values typically range between 4 and 7 mg/L in plasma, although this may vary depending on the laboratory and measurement method used.

Clinical Significance

Selenoprotein P and the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is among the most selenium-rich organs in the body. Selenoprotein P supplies the thyroid with selenium, which is essential for the activity of iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes that regulate the conversion of thyroid hormones (T4 to T3).

Selenoprotein P and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Research suggests that a deficiency of Selenoprotein P may be associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as the brain relies heavily on selenium-dependent antioxidant protection mechanisms.

Selenoprotein P and Cardiovascular Health

Low Selenoprotein P levels are associated with increased oxidative stress and may represent a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, paradoxical findings are also discussed, in which elevated levels are associated with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

Selenoprotein P in Diabetes Mellitus

Interestingly, studies show that elevated plasma Selenoprotein P levels can occur in patients with type 2 diabetes. It has been proposed that Selenoprotein P may inhibit insulin signaling and contribute to insulin resistance, making it a potential therapeutic target molecule.

Factors Influencing Selenoprotein P Levels

Various factors affect the concentration of Selenoprotein P in the plasma:

Dietary selenium intake: Higher selenium intake increases Selenoprotein P levels up to a saturation plateau.
Liver disease: Since Selenoprotein P is primarily produced in the liver, liver diseases lead to reduced levels.
Inflammation: Acute and chronic inflammatory conditions can reduce Selenoprotein P synthesis.
Genetic polymorphisms: Certain genetic variants in the SELENOP gene influence individual Selenoprotein P concentrations.

Dietary Sources of Selenium

To achieve optimal Selenoprotein P levels, adequate selenium intake is essential. Good dietary sources of selenium include:

Brazil nuts (very high selenium content)
Fish and seafood (e.g., tuna, salmon, shrimp)
Meat and organ meats
Eggs
Grain products (depending on the selenium content of the soil)

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily selenium intake of 26 µg for adults as a minimum, while national guidelines such as those from Germany suggest 60 µg for women and 70 µg for men per day.

References

Schomburg L. - Selenium, selenoproteins and the thyroid gland: interactions in health and disease. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2012.
Burk RF, Hill KE. - Selenoprotein P: an extracellular protein with unique physical characteristics and a role in selenium homeostasis. Annual Review of Nutrition, 2005.
Steinbrenner H, Speckmann B, Pinto A, Sies H. - High selenium intake and increased diabetes risk: experimental evidence for interplay between selenium and carbohydrate metabolism. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 2011.

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