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Submitted to: Current Pharmacogenomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2003 Publication Date: 1/3/2003 Citation: Zeng, H. 2003. Genomic and proteomic techniques and their application in selenium research. Current Pharmacogenomics. 1:59-65. Interpretive Summary: Recent revolutionary change in molecular biology has spawned the disciplines of genomics and proteomics that systematically generate and analyze the information about genomes, gene transcripts, proteins and function in a global, comprehensive manner. The application of these approaches present tremendous opportunities in bioscience research. Increased ingestion of selenium, an essential trace element for humans and many other forms of life, has been associated with reduced cancer risk. Interestingly, the biological activities of selenium as a nutrient, cancer preventive agent, or even toxicant, are dependent on the dose and chemical form of selenium. Much remains to be learned about the essential nutritional role of selenium and the mechanisms involved in the reduction of tumorogenesis by selenium. This article outlines the current status of genomic and proteomic techniques and application in selenium research. The information will be useful for scientists and health-care professionals who are studying selenium status and human immune function and general health. Technical Abstract: Recent revolutionary changes in molecular biology have spawned the disciplines of genomics and proteomics that systematically generate and analyze the information about genomes, gene transcripts, proteins and their functions in a global, comprehensive manner. The applications of these approaches present tremendous opportunities in almost every aspect of bioscience research. One such opportunity concerns selenium, an essential trace element for humans and many other forms of life, which has been associated with reduced cancer risk. Interestingly, the biological activities of selenium as a nutrient, a cancer preventive agent, or even a toxicant, are dependent on the dose and the chemical form of the element. However, the molecular mechanisms by which selenium exerts these effects largely remain unknown. This article outlines the current status of genomic and proteomic techniques and their application in selenium research, particularly as it relates to the prevention of tumorigenesis. |
