Abstract.
Selenoprotein P (SeP) is an extracellular, monomeric glycoprotein containing up to 10 selenocysteine residues in the polypeptide chain. It is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues, and in human plasma it accounts for at least 40% of the total selenium concentration. SeP binds to heparin and cell membranes, and is associated with endothelial cells. SeP in human plasma protects against peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation and reduces phospholipid hydroperoxide in vitro, in accordance with the presumption that it has a function as an extracellular oxidant defense. Immunochemical assays have demonstrated that its concentration in plasma varies much with selenium intake, but other factors also have an influence.
Keywords: Key words. Selenoprotein P; plasma; selenocysteine; heparin-binding protein; endothelial cells; oxidant defense; selenium status.