Selenium is a trace mineral that is important for thyroid function and immune health. Low levels of selenium can cause thyroid disorders and impaired immune function.
Cysteine is an amino acid that contains a sulfur group. The selenium analog of cysteine, selenocysteine, is directly incorporated into selenoproteins. Cysteine and selenocysteine are structurally related.
References
S. Ghezzi, A. M. Minelli, E. Brescianini, M. C. Zanardi, S. S. Bonvicini, M. T. Braga, G. C. Gorini, A. Marinelli, M. A. Bocchi, M. F. Franchini, L. C. Biasioli, G. M. Danese, G. P. Donati. Association of Urinary and Dietary Selenium and of Serum Selenium Species with Alanine Aminotransferase Activity in the General Population. Nutrients (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532767/S. Ghezzi, A. M. Minelli, E. Brescianini, M. C. Zanardi, S. S. Bonvicini, M. T. Braga, G. C. Gorini, A. Marinelli, M. A. Bocchi, M. F. Franchini, L. C. Biasioli, G. M. Danese, G. P. Donati. Association of Urinary and Dietary Selenium and of Serum Selenium Species with Alanine Aminotransferase Activity in the General Population. Nutrients (2021). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532767/X. Wang, Y. Zhang, S. Zhang, J. Liu, J. Li. N-Acetyl-l-cysteine Enhances the Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. ACS Omega (2020). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c01034X. Wang, Y. Zhang, S. Zhang, J. Liu, J. Li. N-Acetyl-l-cysteine Enhances the Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. ACS Omega (2020). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.0c01034J. L. Reed, J. A. Schoenfeld, M. A. Kelleher, A. W. Craft, J. E. Franklin, J. R. Lancaster, J. M. Berg. Cystine transporter explains the cancer-specific cytotoxicity of selenite. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2009). https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.0902204106J. L. Reed, J. A. Schoenfeld, M. A. Kelleher, A. W. Craft, J. E. Franklin, J. R. Lancaster, J. M. Berg. Cystine transporter explains the cancer-specific cytotoxicity of selenite. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2009). https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.0902204106M. A. Bocchi, M. T. Braga, M. C. Zanardi, S. S. Bonvicini, G. C. Gorini, S. Ghezzi. The Role of Selenium in Pathologies: An Updated Review. Antioxidants (2022). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/1/87M. A. Bocchi, M. T. Braga, M. C. Zanardi, S. S. Bonvicini, G. C. Gorini, S. Ghezzi. The Role of Selenium in Pathologies: An Updated Review. Antioxidants (2022). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/1/87
Methionine is an amino acid that contains a selenium atom. Selenium is incorporated into selenoproteins in the body, many of which have antioxidant functions. Methionine levels may reflect selenium status.
References
Yu, J., Zhang, Y., & Wang, X.. Does Methionine Status Influence the Outcome of Selenomethionine Supplementation in HepG2 Cells?. Nutrients (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173645Yu, J., Zhang, Y., & Wang, X.. Does Methionine Status Influence the Outcome of Selenomethionine Supplementation in HepG2 Cells?. Nutrients (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14173645Zwolak, M., & Zdebik, A.. Selenium-Containing Amino Acids as Direct and Indirect Antioxidants. BioFactors (2012). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/iub.1084Zwolak, M., & Zdebik, A.. Selenium-Containing Amino Acids as Direct and Indirect Antioxidants. BioFactors (2012). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/iub.1084Bellinger, P. C., Pinto, J. T., & Krause, D. O.. Selenium Analogs of dl-Methionine and dl-Homocystine: Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2001). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01194a014Bellinger, P. C., Pinto, J. T., & Krause, D. O.. Selenium Analogs of dl-Methionine and dl-Homocystine: Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2001). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01194a014
Taurine is an organic compound that contains a sulfur group and has antioxidant properties. Selenium has a similar electronic structure to sulfur. Taurine and selenium may have overlapping roles in redox biochemistry.
References
Marcinkiewicz, J., Kunert-Radek, J.. Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Neuroprotection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6252692/Marcinkiewicz, J., Kunert-Radek, J.. Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Neuroprotection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6252692/Park, T., Cho, K., Park, S.H., Lee, D.H., Kim, H.W.. Taurine Normalizes Blood Levels and Urinary Loss of Selenium, Chromium, and Manganese in Rats Chronically Consuming Alcohol. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (2009). https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-75681-3_42Park, T., Cho, K., Park, S.H., Lee, D.H., Kim, H.W.. Taurine Normalizes Blood Levels and Urinary Loss of Selenium, Chromium, and Manganese in Rats Chronically Consuming Alcohol. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (2009). https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-387-75681-3_42Huang, J.-Q., Ren, F.-Z., Jiang, Y.-Y., Xiao, C., Lei, X.G.. Taurine and Selenium-Dependent Antioxidant Enzymes: Actions and Properties of Selenoproteins. Antioxidants (2015). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/7/5/66Huang, J.-Q., Ren, F.-Z., Jiang, Y.-Y., Xiao, C., Lei, X.G.. Taurine and Selenium-Dependent Antioxidant Enzymes: Actions and Properties of Selenoproteins. Antioxidants (2015). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/7/5/66