Unveiling the role of selenocysteine, the mysterious 21st amino acid

(Center for Genomic Regulation) Selenocysteine is an essential amino acid for certain species, such as humans and the other vertebrates, although it has disappeared from others, such as insects. CRG researchers have discovered that it is also preserved in fungi, contrary to existing belief. Understanding the role it plays in these organisms may help us to understand why it is essential to human health. The study has been published in Nature Microbiology

Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - March 11, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: news