Background information
This gene encodes a selenoprotein, which contains a selenocysteine (Sec) residue at its active site. The selenocysteine is encoded by the UGA codon that normally signals translation termination. The 3' UTR of selenoprotein genes have a common stem-loop structure, the sec insertion sequence (SECIS), that is necessary for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon rather than as a stop signal. This protein has been shown to function as a glutathione-dependent antioxidant in vivo. It is highly expressed in proliferating myoblasts and suggested to be involved in muscle growth and differentiation by protecting the developing myoblasts from oxidative stress. [provided by RefSeq].