Encyclopedia
selenoprotein N
- genes
1. Normal Function
The SELENON gene (also called SEPN1) provides instructions for making a protein called selenoprotein N. This protein is part of a family of selenoproteins, which have several critical functions within the body. Selenoproteins are primarily involved in chemical reactions called oxidation-reduction reactions, which are essential for protecting cells from damage caused by unstable oxygen-containing molecules. Although the exact function of selenoprotein N is unknown, it is likely involved in protecting cells against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when unstable molecules called free radicals accumulate to levels that damage or kill cells.
Selenoprotein N is highly active in many tissues before birth and may be involved in the formation of muscle tissue (myogenesis). The protein may also be important for normal muscle function after birth, although it is active at much lower levels in adult tissues. This protein is thought to play a role in maintaining an appropriate balance of calcium (calcium homeostasis) in cells. Calcium plays an important role in muscle movement.
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1. Multiminicore disease
At least 17 mutations in the SELENON gene have been identified in people with the classic form of multiminicore disease. This condition is named for a distinctive abnormality in the muscle fibers called minicores (which can only be seen with a microscope). In addition, affected individuals have muscle weakness, particularly in the muscles of the torso and neck (the axial muscles); abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis); and serious breathing problems. Many of the genetic changes that cause classic multiminicore disease lead to the production of an abnormally short version of selenoprotein N. Other mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in critical regions of the protein. The effects of changes in the structure and function of selenoprotein N are unknown, and researchers are working to determine how these changes lead to muscle weakness and the other characteristic features of classic multiminicore disease.
2.2. Rigid spine muscular dystrophy
More than a dozen SELENON gene mutations have been found to cause rigid spine muscular dystrophy 1 (RSMD1). In people with this disorder, the muscles surrounding the spine weaken and waste away (atrophy), and the joints in the spine develop deformities called contractures that restrict movement. Affected children have limited ability to move their heads up and down or side to side. They also develop scoliosis and have serious breathing problems during sleep.
The SELENON gene mutations that cause RSMD1 are thought to reduce the amount of selenoprotein N or impair its activity in cells. It is unclear how a shortage of functional selenoprotein N affects the formation of muscle tissue or the function of muscles. Researchers are working to determine why axial muscles are particularly affected by SELENON gene mutations.
2.3. Other disorders
Mutations in the SELENON gene are involved in another rare muscle disorder called desmin-related myopathy with Mallory body-like inclusions. This disorder is characterized by the presence of small clusters of accumulated proteins in the muscle fibers. These abnormal regions can only be seen when muscle tissue is viewed under a microscope. The inclusions resemble an abnormality known as Mallory bodies. As in other SELENON-related muscle disorders (described above), desmin-related myopathy with Mallory body-like inclusions is characterized by axial muscle weakness, spine stiffness, scoliosis, and serious breathing problems. Because they have a similar pattern of signs and symptoms and are caused by mutations in the same gene, many researchers believe that these conditions are all part of a single syndrome with variable signs and symptoms. Together, muscle diseases caused by SELENON gene mutations are known as SELENON-related (or SEPN1-related) myopathy. It is unclear why mutations in the SELENON gene cause the different muscle fiber abnormalities that distinguish these disorders.
3. Other Names for This Gene
- selenoprotein N, 1
- SELN
- SEPN1
- SEPN1_HUMAN
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/selenon
References
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- Ardissone A, Bragato C, Blasevich F, Maccagnano E, Salerno F, Gandioli C,Morandi L, Mora M, Moroni I. SEPN1-related myopathy in three patients: novelmutations and diagnostic clues. Eur J Pediatr. 2016 Aug;175(8):1113-8. doi:10.1007/s00431-015-2685-3.
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- Castets P, Lescure A, Guicheney P, Allamand V. Selenoprotein N in skeletalmuscle: from diseases to function. J Mol Med (Berl). 2012 Oct;90(10):1095-107.doi: 10.1007/s00109-012-0896-x.
- Clarke NF, Kidson W, Quijano-Roy S, Estournet B, Ferreiro A, Guicheney P,Manson JI, Kornberg AJ, Shield LK, North KN. SEPN1: associated with congenitalfiber-type disproportion and insulin resistance. Ann Neurol. 2006Mar;59(3):546-52.
- Ferreiro A, Ceuterick-de Groote C, Marks JJ, Goemans N, Schreiber G, Hanefeld F, Fardeau M, Martin JJ, Goebel HH, Richard P, Guicheney P, Bönnemann CG.Desmin-related myopathy with Mallory body-like inclusions is caused by mutations of the selenoprotein N gene. Ann Neurol. 2004 May;55(5):676-86.
- Ferreiro A, Quijano-Roy S, Pichereau C, Moghadaszadeh B, Goemans N, Bönnemann C, Jungbluth H, Straub V, Villanova M, Leroy JP, Romero NB, Martin JJ, Muntoni F,Voit T, Estournet B, Richard P, Fardeau M, Guicheney P. Mutations of theselenoprotein N gene, which is implicated in rigid spine muscular dystrophy,cause the classical phenotype of multiminicore disease: reassessing the nosology of early-onset myopathies. Am J Hum Genet. 2002 Oct;71(4):739-49.
- Jungbluth H. Multi-minicore Disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2007 Jul 13;2:31.Review.
- Moghadaszadeh B, Petit N, Jaillard C, Brockington M, Quijano Roy S, Merlini L,Romero N, Estournet B, Desguerre I, Chaigne D, Muntoni F, Topaloglu H, Guicheney P. Mutations in SEPN1 cause congenital muscular dystrophy with spinal rigidityand restrictive respiratory syndrome. Nat Genet. 2001 Sep;29(1):17-8.
- Okamoto Y, Takashima H, Higuchi I, Matsuyama W, Suehara M, Nishihira Y,Hashiguchi A, Hirano R, Ng AR, Nakagawa M, Izumo S, Osame M, Arimura K. Molecularmechanism of rigid spine with muscular dystrophy type 1 caused by novel mutationsof selenoprotein N gene. Neurogenetics. 2006 Jul;7(3):175-83.
- Petit N, Lescure A, Rederstorff M, Krol A, Moghadaszadeh B, Wewer UM,Guicheney P. Selenoprotein N: an endoplasmic reticulum glycoprotein with an earlydevelopmental expression pattern. Hum Mol Genet. 2003 May 1;12(9):1045-53.
- Schara U, Kress W, Bönnemann CG, Breitbach-Faller N, Korenke CG, Schreiber G, Stoetter M, Ferreiro A, von der Hagen M. The phenotype and long-term follow-up in11 patients with juvenile selenoprotein N1-related myopathy. Eur J PaediatrNeurol. 2008 May;12(3):224-30.
- Zorzato F, Jungbluth H, Zhou H, Muntoni F, Treves S. Functional effects ofmutations identified in patients with multiminicore disease. IUBMB Life. 2007Jan;59(1):14-20. Review.
