Differences between mouse and human selenoproteins​

Mouse is the most widely model organism for selenium biology, so that we investigated the differences between mouse and human in tolerance to mutations in selenoprotein genes. In this artwork, selenoproteins are symbolized by elements of the natural environment. The variations between the two panels represent the actual results of the study, described in our paper below. Ferns represent thioredoxin reductases; cloverleaf represents iodothyronine deiodinases; the caterpillar represents Selenoprotein P; the flower at the bottom right represents glutathione peroxidases. Remaining selenoproteins are represented by other flowers and berries. 

Illustration by Marzia Faranda. Concept by Marco Mariotti. 

Research paper: Santesmasses et al., 2020, Mol Biol Evol, 37:341–354.