Endoplasmic reticulum-resident selenoproteins and their roles in glucose and lipid metabolic disorders

Abstract

Glucose and lipid metabolic disorders (GLMDs), such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity, are significant public health issues that negatively impact human health. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role at the cellular level for lipid and sterol biosynthesis, intracellular calcium storage, and protein post-translational modifications. Imbalance and dysfunction of the ER can affect glucose and lipid metabolism. As an essential trace element, selenium contributes to various human physiological functions mainly through 25 types of selenoproteins (SELENOs). At least 10 SELENOs, with experimental and/or computational evidence, are predominantly found on the ER membrane or within its lumen. Two iodothyronine deiodinases (DIOs), DIO1 and DIO2, regulate the thyroid hormone deiodination in the thyroid and some external thyroid tissues, influencing glucose and lipid metabolism. Most of the other eight members maintain redox homeostasis in the ER. Especially, SELENOF, SELENOM, and SELENOS are involved in unfolded protein responses; SELENOI catalyzes phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis; SELENOK, SELENON, and SELENOT participate in calcium homeostasis regulation; and the biological significance of thioredoxin reductase 3 in the ER remains unexplored despite its established function in the thioredoxin system. This review examines recent research advances regarding ER SELENOs in GLMDs and aims to provide insights on ER-related pathology through SELENOs regulation.

Keywords: Dietary selenium; Endoplasmic reticulum; Glucose and lipid metabolism; Human health and disease; Selenoprotein.