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Selenium and Sulfur: Serendipitous Candidates Contributing to Overall Plant Metabolism, Human and Animal Nutrition, and Health Care

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 10657

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, Germany
Interests: Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility, Plant Food Quality, Environmental Stress Physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Institute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Str. 2, 24118 Kiel, Germany
Interests: plant nutrition; soil fertility; plant food quality; environmental stress physiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace nutrient that plays a critical role in humans and domesticated animals. Through different strategies, including agronomic biofortification and conventional and transgenic breeding, Se can enhance the nutritional quality of food crops and overcome Se deficiency and its implications for humans and animals. A breakthrough in the research of Se in humans was the discovery of glutathione peroxidase 4, a key selenoprotein enzyme in mammalian cell development.

Sulfur (S) is a macronutrient crucial for plant growth and development, humans, and animals. It is integral to the biosynthesis of S-containing amino acids, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, and numerous beneficial biomolecules. Both Se and S have similar chemicophysical characteristics. Sulfate and selenate are reduced to cysteine (Cys) and selenocysteine (SeCys) in the S and Se assimilatory pathways and act as the important donors of reduced S and Se for many S-and Se-containing metabolites.

We cordially invite researchers in the field to contribute contemporary coherent research and review papers. This Special Issue will bring together a new state-of-the-art into the chemical aspects of the biological processes that are of particular importance regarding Se and S, including (i) Se biological functions, such as maintaining homeostasis in animals and humans; (ii) the capacity of S to sustain plant cell mechanisms to ameliorate stress resistance ability through various S molecules; (iii) new insights into the roles/functions of Se and/or S and their influences on primary and secondary plant metabolisms; (iv) the impacts of Se and/or S on bioactive compounds; and (v) the contributions of Se and/or S to food security and sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Karl H. Mühling
Dr. Muna Ali Abdalla
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • interactions with minerals 
  • plant nutrition 
  • nutritional quality of crops 
  • crosstalk between Se and S 
  • biofortification 
  • primary and secondary metabolites
  • ROS regulation
  • oxidative stress machinery 
  • glutathione peroxidase 
  • animal health 
  • human health 
  • Se and S in veterinary medicine 
  • biological activities 
  • anti-inflammatory 
  • radical scavenging capacity 
  • chemopreventive properties

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3239 KiB  
Article
The Interplay of Sulfur and Selenium Enabling Variations in Micronutrient Accumulation in Red Spinach
by Kashif Saeed, Fatiha Kalam Nisa, Muna Ali Abdalla and Karl Hermann Mühling
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12766; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612766 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1075
Abstract
Aside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO4) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored [...] Read more.
Aside from its importance in human and animal health, low levels of foliar-applied selenate (SeO4) can be advantageous in the presence of sulfur (S), contributing to improved growth, nutrient uptake, and crop quality. A hydroponic experiment in a growth chamber explored the interactive influence of Se and S on micronutrients and several quality indices, such as soluble sugars, organic acids, and total protein concentrations in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Three levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excessive) with varying quantities of Se (deficient, moderate, and higher) were examined in combination. Under S starvation and along with S nourishment in plant parts, Se treatments were found to cause noticeable variations in plant biomass and the concentrations of the examined elements and other quality parameters. Both Se levels promoted S accumulation in S-treated plants. Although the Se treatment had the opposite effect in shoots, it had a favorable impact on minerals (apart from Mn) in roots grown under S-limiting conditions. The S and Se relationship highlighted beneficial and/or synergistic effects for Mn and Fe in edible spinach portions. Reducing sugars were synergistically boosted by adequate S and moderate Se levels in roots, while in shoots, they were accumulated under moderate-or-higher Se and excessive S. Furthermore, the concentration of the quantified organic acids under S-deficient conditions was aided by various Se levels. In roots, moderate Se under high S application enhanced both malic acid and citric acid, while in the edible parts, higher Se under both adequate and elevated S levels were found to be advantageous in malic acid accumulation. Moreover, by elevating S levels in plant tissues, total protein concentration increased, whereas both moderate and high Se levels (Se1 and Se2) did not alter total protein accumulation in high S-applied roots and shoots. Our findings show that the high S and medium Se dose together benefit nutrient uptake; additionally, their combinations support soluble sugars and organic acids accumulation, contributing ultimately to the nutritional quality of spinach plants. Moreover, consuming 100 g of fresh red spinach shoot enriched with different Se and S levels can contribute to humans’ daily micronutrients intake. Full article
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22 pages, 7916 KiB  
Article
LC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis of Sulfolipids and Galactolipids in Green and Red Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as Influenced by Sulfur Nutrition
by Tania T. Körber, Tobias Sitz, Muna A. Abdalla, Karl H. Mühling and Sascha Rohn
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3728; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043728 - 13 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1386
Abstract
Sulfur (S) deprivation leads to abiotic stress in plants. This can have a significant impact on membrane lipids, illustrated by a change in either the lipid class and/or the fatty acid distribution. Three different levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excess) in the [...] Read more.
Sulfur (S) deprivation leads to abiotic stress in plants. This can have a significant impact on membrane lipids, illustrated by a change in either the lipid class and/or the fatty acid distribution. Three different levels of S (deprivation, adequate, and excess) in the form of potassium sulfate were used to identify individual thylakoid membrane lipids, which might act as markers in S nutrition (especially under stress conditions). The thylakoid membrane consists of the three glycolipid classes: monogalactosyl- (MGDG), digalactosyl- (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerols (SQDG). All of them have two fatty acids linked, differing in chain length and degree of saturation. LC-ESI-MS/MS served as a powerful method to identify trends in the change in individual lipids and to understand strategies of the plant responding to stress. Being a good model plant, but also one of the most important fresh-cut vegetables in the world, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) has already been shown to respond significantly to different states of sulfur supply. The results showed a transformation of the glycolipids in lettuce plants and trends towards a higher degree of saturation of the lipids and an increased level of oxidized SQDG under S-limiting conditions. Changes in individual MGDG, DGDG, and oxidized SQDG were associated to S-related stress for the first time. Promisingly, oxidized SQDG might even serve as markers for further abiotic stress factors. Full article
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12 pages, 613 KiB  
Article
Stress-Related Immune Response and Selenium Status in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Patients
by Ieva Vaivode, Tatjana Zake, Ieva Strele, Sabine Upmale-Engela, Deniss Gogins, Gita Gersone, Andrejs Skesters, Maija Dambrova and Ilze Konrade
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032440 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1860
Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves’ disease (GD) or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), occurs due to genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, among which the role of stressful events remains controversial. This study investigated the relationship between the number and impact of stressful life events [...] Read more.
Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), including Graves’ disease (GD) or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), occurs due to genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, among which the role of stressful events remains controversial. This study investigated the relationship between the number and impact of stressful life events in AITD patients with selenium status, and the Th1/Th2/Th17 immune response. The study population included three groups: HT (n = 47), GD (n = 13), and a control group (n = 49). Thyroid function parameters, autoantibody levels, and the plasma levels of cytokines, selenium, selenoprotein P (SeP), and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx) activity were measured. Participants filled out the Life Experiences Survey. No significant differences in the number of stressful life events were found among the patients with HT, GD, and the controls. A higher (median (interquartile range)) negative stress level (8 (4–12)) than a positive stress level (3 (1–9)) was found in the HT group. The HT group showed a correlation between SeP and the positive stress level: rs = −0.296, p = 0.048, and the GD group between GPx and the negative stress level (rs = −0.702, p = 0.011). Significant positive correlations between thyroid peroxidase antibody level and the total number of major life events (p = 0.023), the number of major life events in the last 7–12 months, and the number of major life events with no impact and a negative stress level were found. We suggest that the measurements of Th2-related cytokines and selenoproteins could be used as biomarkers for the development of AITD in cases where stress is considered a component cause of the pathogenic mechanism of the disease. Full article
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15 pages, 3169 KiB  
Article
Differentially Expressed Genes and Signalling Pathways Regulated by High Selenium Involved in Antioxidant and Immune Functions of Goats Based on Transcriptome Sequencing
by Xu Wang, Chao Ban, Jia-Xuan Li, Qing-Yuan Luo, Ji-Xiao Qin, Yi-Qing Xu, Qi Lu and Xing-Zhou Tian
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021124 - 06 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1552
Abstract
The objective of this study is to observe the effect of high selenium on the antioxidant and immune functions of growing goats based on transcriptome sequencing. Eighteen goats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the control (CON) group was fed a basal [...] Read more.
The objective of this study is to observe the effect of high selenium on the antioxidant and immune functions of growing goats based on transcriptome sequencing. Eighteen goats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the control (CON) group was fed a basal diet, and (2) the treatment 1 group (LS) and treatment 2 group (HS) were fed a basal diet with 2.4 and 4.8 mg/kg selenium-yeast (SY), respectively. The results indicate that HS treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the apparent digestibility of either extract and significantly increased (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity, whereas it significantly (p < 0.05) decreased plasma aspartate aminotransferase and malondialdehyde relative to the control group. The LS treatment had significantly (p < 0.05) increased glutathione S-transferase and catalase compared to CON. A total of 532 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the CON and HS were obtained using transcriptome sequencing. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis identified upregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to vascular smooth muscle contraction, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, the VEGF signalling pathway, and proteoglycans in cancer; downregulated (p < 0.05) DEGs mainly related to the NOD-like receptor signalling pathway, influenza A, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, haematopoietic cell lineage, and African trypanosomiasis. Ontology analyses of the top genes show that the identified DEGs are mainly involved in the regulation of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production for biological processes, the external side of the plasma membrane for cellular components, and carbohydrate derivative binding for molecular functions. Seven genes are considered potential candidate genes for regulating antioxidant activity, including selenoprotein W, 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, glutathione S-transferase A1, tumour necrosis factor, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 10, tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 8, and tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 13b. The experimental observations indicate that dietary supplementation with 4.8 mg/kg SY can enhance antioxidant and immune functions by improving muscle immunity, reducing the concentrations of inflammatory molecules, and modulating antioxidant and inflammatory signalling pathways in growing goats. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 610 KiB  
Review
Current Understanding of Human Polymorphism in Selenoprotein Genes: A Review of Its Significance as a Risk Biomarker
by Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira, Regina Vieira Carvalho, Laura Lacerda Coelho, Beatriz Matheus de Souza Gonzaga, Maria da Gloria Bonecini-Almeida, Luciana Ribeiro Garzoni and Tania C. Araujo-Jorge
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031402 - 24 Jan 2024
Viewed by 923
Abstract
Selenium has been proven to influence several biological functions, showing to be an essential micronutrient. The functional studies demonstrated the benefits of a balanced selenium diet and how its deficiency is associated with diverse diseases, especially cancer and viral diseases. Selenium is an [...] Read more.
Selenium has been proven to influence several biological functions, showing to be an essential micronutrient. The functional studies demonstrated the benefits of a balanced selenium diet and how its deficiency is associated with diverse diseases, especially cancer and viral diseases. Selenium is an antioxidant, protecting the cells from damage, enhancing the immune system response, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and decreasing inflammation. Selenium can be found in its inorganic and organic forms, and its main form in the cells is the selenocysteine incorporated into selenoproteins. Twenty-five selenoproteins are currently known in the human genome: glutathione peroxidases, iodothyronine deiodinases, thioredoxin reductases, selenophosphate synthetase, and other selenoproteins. These proteins lead to the transport of selenium in the tissues, protect against oxidative damage, contribute to the stress of the endoplasmic reticulum, and control inflammation. Due to these functions, there has been growing interest in the influence of polymorphisms in selenoproteins in the last two decades. Selenoproteins’ gene polymorphisms may influence protein structure and selenium concentration in plasma and its absorption and even impact the development and progression of certain diseases. This review aims to elucidate the role of selenoproteins and understand how their gene polymorphisms can influence the balance of physiological conditions. In this polymorphism review, we focused on the PubMed database, with only articles published in English between 2003 and 2023. The keywords used were “selenoprotein” and “polymorphism”. Articles that did not approach the theme subject were excluded. Selenium and selenoproteins still have a long way to go in molecular studies, and several works demonstrated the importance of their polymorphisms as a risk biomarker for some diseases, especially cardiovascular and thyroid diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Full article
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19 pages, 8199 KiB  
Review
Physiological Benefits of Novel Selenium Delivery via Nanoparticles
by Alice Au, Albaraa Mojadadi, Jia-Ying Shao, Gulfam Ahmad and Paul K. Witting
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6068; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076068 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Dietary selenium (Se) intake within the physiological range is critical to maintain various biological functions, including antioxidant defence, redox homeostasis, growth, reproduction, immunity, and thyroid hormone production. Chemical forms of dietary Se are diverse, including organic Se (selenomethionine, selenocysteine, and selenium-methyl-selenocysteine) and inorganic [...] Read more.
Dietary selenium (Se) intake within the physiological range is critical to maintain various biological functions, including antioxidant defence, redox homeostasis, growth, reproduction, immunity, and thyroid hormone production. Chemical forms of dietary Se are diverse, including organic Se (selenomethionine, selenocysteine, and selenium-methyl-selenocysteine) and inorganic Se (selenate and selenite). Previous studies have largely investigated and compared the health impacts of dietary Se on agricultural stock and humans, where dietary Se has shown various benefits, including enhanced growth performance, immune functions, and nutritional quality of meats, with reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and finally enhanced thyroid health and fertility in humans. The emergence of nanoparticles presents a novel and innovative technology. Notably, Se in the form of nanoparticles (SeNPs) has lower toxicity, higher bioavailability, lower excretion in animals, and is linked to more powerful and superior biological activities (at a comparable Se dose) than traditional chemical forms of dietary Se. As a result, the development of tailored SeNPs for their use in intensive agriculture and as candidate for therapeutic drugs for human pathologies is now being actively explored. This review highlights the biological impacts of SeNPs on growth and reproductive performances, their role in modulating heat and oxidative stress and inflammation and the varying modes of synthesis of SeNPs. Full article
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