From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Selenomethionine: chemical structure
IUPAC name
2-Amino-4-methylselanyl-butanoic acid
Other names
3211-76-5 (L) N
1464-42-2 (D/L) N
ChEBI CHEBI:27585 YesY
ChemSpider 14375 YesY
Jmol interactive 3D Image
PubChem 15103
Molar mass 196.106 g/mol
N verify (what is YesYN ?)
Infobox references

Selenomethionine is a naturally occurring amino acid. The L-selenomethionine enantiomer is the main form of selenium found in Brazil nuts, cereal grains, soybeans, and grassland legumes, while Se-methylselenocysteine, or its γ-glutamyl derivative, is the major form of selenium found in Astragalus, Allium, and Brassica species.[1] In vivo, selenomethionine is randomly incorporated instead of methionine. Selenomethionine is readily oxidized.[2]

Selenomethionine's antioxidant activity arises from its ability to deplete reactive oxygen species.

Substitution chemistry issues[edit]

Selenium and sulfur are chalcogens that share many chemical properties so the substitution of methionine with selenomethionine may have only a limited effect on protein structure and function. However, the incorporation of selenomethionine into tissue proteins and keratin in horses causes alkali disease.

Alkali disease is characterized by emaciation, loss of hair, deformation and shedding of hooves, loss of vitality, and erosion of the joints of long bones.

Incorporation of selenomethionine into proteins in place of methionine aids the structure elucidation of proteins by X-ray crystallography using single- or multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD or MAD).[3] The incorporation of heavy atoms such as selenium helps solve the phase problem in X-ray crystallography.[4]

Dietary intake[edit]

It has been suggested by nutritionists that selenomethionine, which is an organic form of selenium, is easier for the human body to absorb than selenite, which is an inorganic form.[5] It was determined in a clinical trial that selenomethionine is absorbed 19% better than selenite.[5]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ P. D. Whanger, Selenocompounds in plants and animals and their biological significance, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 21(3), 223–232 (2002).
  2. ^ E. Block, M. Birringer, W. Jiang, T. Nakahodo, H.J. Thompson, P.J. Toscano, H. Uzar, X. Zhang, and Z. Zhu, Allium chemistry: synthesis, natural occurrence, biological activity, and chemistry of Se-alk(en)ylselenocysteines and their γ-glutamyl derivatives and oxidation products, J. Agric. Food Chem., 49, 458-470 (2001).
  3. ^ W. A. Hendrickson, Maturation of MAD phasing for the determination of macromolecular structures, Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, 6(4), 845-851 (1999).
  4. ^ A. M. Larsson, Preparation and crystallization of selenomethionine protein, IUL Biotechnology Series, 8 (Protein Crystallization), 135-154 (2009).
  5. ^ a b "Product Review: Supplements for Cancer Prevention (Green Tea, Lycopene, and Selenium)". Retrieved 2008-04-20. Selenium supplements are available in organic and inorganic forms. Some research suggests that the inorganic form, selenite, is harder for the body to absorb than organic forms such as selenomethionine (selenium bound to methionine, an essential amino acid) or high-selenium yeast (which contains selenomethionine). A recent clinical trial found that selenomethionine had 19% better absorption than selenite; absorption from selenium yeast was about 10% better than selenite. 

External links[edit]