Description
The protein encoded by this gene is one of the essential components of the machinery involved in co-translational insertion of selenocysteine (Sec) into selenoproteins. Sec is encoded by the UGA codon, which normally signals translation termination. The recoding of UGA as Sec codon requires a Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element; present in the 3′ untranslated regions of eukaryotic selenoprotein mRNAs. This protein specifically binds to the SECIS element, which is stimulated by a Sec-specific translation elongation factor. Mutations in this gene have been associated with reduction in enzymatic activity of type II iodothyronine deiodinase (a selenoprotein) and abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene.