selenium biosynthesis

Selenium biosynthesis is the process by which living organisms produce selenium-containing compounds, mainly selenoproteins, essential for functions like antioxidant defense. It begins with the uptake of inorganic selenium, such as selenate or selenite, from the environment. Inside cells, these forms are converted into selenide, a reactive form that gets incorporated into amino acids like selenocysteine. Selenocysteine is then used during protein synthesis to produce selenoproteins. These proteins help protect cells from damage, regulate immune responses, and participate in metabolic processes, illustrating selenium’s vital role in maintaining health at the molecular level.