Trends in selenium utilization in marine microbial world revealed through the analysis of the global ocean sampling (GOS) project.

ABSTRACT: Selenium is an important trace element that occurs in proteins in the form of selenocysteine (Sec) and in tRNAs in the form of selenouridine. Recent large-scale metagenomics projects provide an opportunity for understanding global trends in trace element utilization. Herein, we characterized the selenoproteome of the microbial marine community derived from the Global Ocean Sampling (GOS) expedition. More than 3,600 selenoprotein gene sequences belonging to 58 protein families were detected, including sequences representing 7 newly identified selenoprotein families, such as homologs of ferredoxin-thioredoxin reductase and serine protease. In addition, a new eukaryotic selenoprotein family, thiol reductase GILT, was identified. Most GOS selenoprotein families originated from Cys-containing t

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2398784 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature