CHAPTER 27: Selenoproteins in Brain

An essential role for selenoproteins in brain function was not evident until recently. Mainly through studies in mice genetically made deficient in single selenoprotein or selenoprotein biosynthetic genes we have learned over the last decade that selenoproteins are essential for mammalian brain function. More recently, syndromes of congenital selenoprotein biosynthesis defects have been discovered. The phenotypes of the patients affected are similar to previous observations in mice showing that the mouse represents a good model to study fundamental functions of selenoproteins in brain function. In addition to prosurvival effects for neurons in culture, differentiation of parvalbumin-positive cortical interneurons is specifically impaired in mouse models associated with impaired Gpx4 expression. These interneurons are known to be redox sensitive and are affected in conditions like schizophrenia and autism. Whether any selenoprotein deficiency plays a role in at least a fraction of schizophrenia or autism cases is an attractive question for further study.