Research Selenium protects the nerve cells of the brain from cell death

Physicians are investigating why selenium is essential for mammalian survival

200 years ago researchers discovered the trace element selenium. But only now could the scientists prove that this chemical element is essential for the survival of mammals. Selenium is a component of the enzyme GPX4 and protects the nerve cells during their development from cell death.

Researchers from the Institute for Developmental Genetics (IDG) at Helmholtz Zentrum München have found in their current study that selenium, as a component of the enzyme GPX4, can protect certain nerve cells from cell death during their development. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Cell".

Selenium is important for protecting our brain cells. Good sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, eggs, legumes and chicken. (Image: bit24 / fotolia.com)

Why is selenium so important for survival??

200 years ago, the Swedish researcher Jöns Jacob Berzelius discovered the trace element selenium. He named it after the moon goddess Selene. The trace element finds its application in the industry. It is used, for example, for the production of semiconductors and toners and used in the chemical industry. But selenium is also an essential trace element that is vital for humans, animals and bacteria. For the first time scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum München explored why the element is so important for survival.

Enzyme GPX4 plays an important role in ferroptosis

The experts have been dealing for several years with the so-called ferroptosis, a known form of cell death. The enzyme GPX4 plays an important role here. GPX4 normally contains selenium in the form of the amino acid selenocysteine, explain the researchers.

Physicians examined models with mice

"In order to better describe the role of GPX4, we had established and studied mouse models in which the enzyme was altered," explains the study director. Conrad in a press release of the Helmholtz Zentrum München. "One of the things we especially noticed was that GPX4 is not formed with selenium, but with sulfur," adds the expert. However, the mouse model was viable for no longer than three weeks due to neurological complications.

Without selenium-containing GPX4, certain nerve cells die in the brain

In their search for the causes, the scientists found certain nerve cells in the brain. These were missing without selenhaltiges GPX4. Through further research, the researchers were able to find out that the nerve cells had died during their development by the so-called ferroptosis, if no selenium-containing GPX4 was present, according to the author Irina Ingold of the Institute for Developmental Genetics.

Selenium is an essential factor in the postnatal development of a type of nerve cell

The experts also found that the main cause of ferroptosis is severe oxidative stress. Such stress is typical of high metabolic activity and signaling in nerve cells, say the authors. The current study demonstrates for the first time that selenium is an essential factor in the postnatal development of a particular type of nerve cell, explains the researcher. José Pedro Friedmann Angeli from the Institute of Developmental Genetics.

Selenium-containing GPX4 protects nerve cells from oxidative stress

Selenium-containing GPX4 is able to protect nerve cells from oxidative stress, thereby preventing the death of nerve cells. This is an explanation why so-called selenoenzymes are so essential in some organisms like mammals, experts explain. In other organisms (mushrooms and some higher plants), however, they are dispensable.

Further research is needed

The research team around Dr. Marcus Conrad plans in the future to investigate how and where exactly in the cells the ferroptosis is triggered. It is important in the future to better understand the role of ferroptosis in various diseases. So far could not be alleviated or only very difficult to treat diseases. These include, for example, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. (As)