Characterization of GPX1 and DIO1 Genes in

Selenoprotein genes contain selenium in the form of selenocysteine which is involved in protecting the cells from oxidative stress. Soils in India differ greatly in selenium concentrations affecting feed stuffs for selenium availability. Selenoproteins have recently been identified in variety of living organisms including humans which have 25 selenoprotein genes. Among these families of selenoprotein genes, we sequenced Gpx1 gene (Glutathione peroxidases1) and Dio1 gene (Iodothyronine deiodinases) in Bubalus bubalis. Gpx1 is most abundant and ubiquitously expressed selenoprotein which helps to protect against the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen rich free radicals whereas Dio1 is expressed mainly in liver, thyroid gland and adipose tissue, its main function is to convert tetraiodothyronine (T4) to its active form thyroxine (T3) in the presence of deiodinase