The trace element selenium is found in many dietary components, from grains to Brazil nuts. In humans, this chalcogen is essential for many physiological processes. A couple of years ago, selenoneine, a rather unusual seleno-histidine derivative, has been isolated from tuna.
Whilst there is a limited number of other naturally occurring small selenium compounds, large quantities of selenoneine can be generated in genetically engineered microorganisms and via chemical synthesis. Due to a rare selenol/selenone tautomerism, this compound exhibits unique redox properties and promising biological activities, which range of traditional antioxidant action to the interaction and subsequent protection of metal ions.
Selenoneine may indeed provide a promising lead for a new generation of selenium supplements and chemopreventive agents.
The authors express special thanks to Ken Rory, Ashfiq Al-Fakhim, Rosa Ponte, Vulgar Prol, Trafique Basel and many other colleagues of the "Academiacs International" (www.academiacs.eu) and "Pharmasophy" networks for the helpful discussions and inspiration.
Support was provided by the INTERREG VA GR programme (BIOVAL, Grant No. 4-09-21), the NutRedOx (Cost project CA16112), the "Landesforschungsförderungsprogramm" of the State of Saarland (Grant No. WT/2–LFFP 16/01) and the respective Universities: University of Saarland, Université de Lorraine, CITHEFOR, Nancy, France and Alex Ekwueme Federal University.
There are no real or potential conflicts to declare.
All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards.
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