Human SepSecS or SLA/LP: selenocysteine formation and autoimmune hepatitis

Biol Chem. 2010 Jul;391(7):771-6. doi: 10.1515/BC.2010.078.

Abstract

Selenocysteine, the 21st genetically encoded amino acid, is the major form of the antioxidant trace element selenium in the human body. In eukaryotes and archaea its synthesis proceeds through a phosphorylated intermediate in a tRNA-dependent fashion. The final step of selenocysteine formation is catalyzed by O-phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteinyl-tRNA synthase (SepSecS) that converts phosphoseryl-tRNA(Sec) to selenocysteinyl-tRNA(Sec). The human SepSecS protein is also known as soluble liver antigen/liver pancreas (SLA/LP), which represents one of the antigens of autoimmune hepatitis. Here we review the discovery of human SepSecS and the current understanding of the immunogenicity of SLA/LP in autoimmune hepatitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / chemistry
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / immunology
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / immunology
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Selenocysteine / biosynthesis*
  • Selenocysteine / chemistry
  • Selenocysteine / immunology

Substances

  • Selenocysteine
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases
  • O-phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteinyl-tRNA synthase, human