Selenoprotein W (SELENOW)

Selenoprotein W is a small selenoenzyme containing a selenocysteine residue at its active site, encoded by the SEPW1 gene. It is part of the SelWTH family with a thioredoxin-like fold, acting predominantly as a glutathione-dependent antioxidant protein and participating in redox regulation. SELENOW is highly expressed in muscle, heart, and brain. In muscle, SELENOW modulates proteostasis and is involved in the RAC1-mTOR signaling pathway, influencing protein synthesis and degradation. It also protects neurons from oxidative stress during development and has recently been identified as a key modulator of tau degradation and synaptic maintenance, implicating a role in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration. SELENOW’s expression is tightly regulated by selenium availability; deficiency is associated with certain diseases, including Keshan disease and potentially neurodegenerative pathologies.

Other names

SEPW1SELWSelenoprotein W1SelWselenoprotein W

For selenium or selenium-containing compounds: - Upregulates SELENOW expression, exerting antioxidant effects. - Promotes tau clearance via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (in neurodegeneration). - Supports muscle proteostasis via SELENOW-RAC1-mTOR signaling cascade.