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Computers and Micronutrients

Using Bioinformatic Tools to Uncover Selenoproteins and Mutations

By Winyoo Chowanadisai, Bryant H. Keirns

Computers and Micronutrients


 

Abstract

Selenocysteine is commonly referred to as the 21st amino acid and is incorporated into selenoproteins through exceptional yet logical and systematic circumstances. This case study is designed for students to get hands-on experience working with a bioinformatic tool that can predict which genes (mRNAs) will ultimately be translated into selenoproteins based on their nucleotide sequence. This tool is then applied to a patient directly modeled after a published case study, so that students can understand how bioinformatic approaches can potentially be used to connect a patient’s clinical symptoms to the importance of a particular selenoprotein. The case provides a review of basic genetic principles through the discussion of selenoproteins and their features.  The case also challenges students to think critically about the physiological and clinical differences between dietary selenium deficiency versus the lack of a single selenoprotein caused by a mutation in that specific gene. The case can be used in a wide variety of biology or nutrition courses, depending on prior student experience with genetics.

   

Date Posted

04/13/2022

Overview

Objectives

  • Learn how to use an online bioinformatic tool.
  • Learn how bioinformatic tools can be used in basic research and to potentially predict clinical symptoms.
  • Understand clinical symptoms of selenium deficiency and potential causes.
  • Differentiate between pure selenium deficiency and Keshan disease.
  • Differentiate between circumstances in which increasing selenium intake through diet or supplements may improve health (e.g., inadequate intake) from those in which increasing intake is unlikely to help (e.g., an underlying mutation).
  • Review the central dogma of molecular biology and RNA structure, with an emphasis on how a rare DNA mutation might alter the translation of a selenoprotein.

Keywords

Nutrition; nutrigenomics; nutrigenetics; nutrient; selenium; micronutrients; metabolism; gene; genetics; genomics; bioinformatics; computational biology; BLAST; mutation; genetic disorder; genetic counseling

  

Subject Headings

Bioinformatics
Biology (General)
Genetics / Heredity
Interdisciplinary Sciences
Molecular Biology
Nutrition

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division, Graduate, Clinical education

  

FORMAT

PDF, DOCX

   

TOPICAL AREAS

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis/Issues, Directed, Laboratory

 

 

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