“快递员”蛋白可将优质硒送进稻米

Core Viewpoint - Researchers from South China Agricultural University and Henan University of Science and Technology have discovered a new mechanism for selenium transport in rice, providing a theoretical basis for increasing the selenium content in rice and guiding the development of new selenium-rich rice varieties [1][2]. Group 1: Selenium's Importance and Current Challenges - Selenium is an essential trace element for humans, playing a crucial role in enhancing immunity, antioxidant activity, and cancer prevention. A lack of selenium can lead to various health issues, including heart disease and cancer [1]. - Approximately 700 million people in China live in selenium-deficient or low-selenium areas, posing a potential risk for insufficient selenium intake [1]. - Rice, a staple food for half of the global population, generally has low selenium content, primarily in the form of selenomethionine, which is less efficiently absorbed by the human body compared to methylselenocysteine, a more bioavailable form of selenium found in vegetables like broccoli and garlic [1]. Group 2: Research Findings - The study identified a transport protein named NRT1.1B in rice, which functions as a "selenium courier," transporting high-quality selenium from the roots to the stems and leaves during the growth period, and back to the roots for temporary storage [2]. - During the grain-filling stage, this transport protein plays a critical role in efficiently delivering high-quality selenium from the roots and leaves to the developing grains [2]. - The goal of the research is to ensure that every grain of rice can better meet human selenium needs, with plans to further develop these findings into products that provide rice rich in methylselenocysteine [2].