What is the Origin of Selenium Cofactors?

The term combines "selenium," the essential trace element, with "cofactors," meaning auxiliary non-protein molecules required for optimal enzyme activity. The understanding of selenium's crucial role in endocrinology evolved significantly with the discovery and characterization of the iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes, which were found to be selenoproteins.

What is the Mechanism of Selenium Cofactors?

The most clinically relevant selenium cofactors are the three iodothyronine deiodinases (D1, D2, and D3), which catalyze the conversion of the relatively inactive thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) into the biologically potent triiodothyronine (T3) in peripheral tissues. Without adequate selenium to ensure the function of these cofactors, this essential conversion mechanism is compromised, directly impairing systemic metabolism and energy regulation.

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Selenium Cofactors

Meaning

Selenium Cofactors are specific selenium-containing proteins, formally known as selenoproteins, that function as essential enzymatic partners to facilitate critical biochemical reactions within the body, most notably the precise metabolism of thyroid hormones. Selenium is an indispensable trace mineral, and its cofactors are vital for maintaining systemic endocrine health and metabolic rate. Deficiencies compromise multiple physiological processes.