Mechanisms of Selenium Uptake, Translocation and Chemical Speciation Transformation in Plants

In this review, we summarized the uptake, translocation and metabolism mechanisms of selenium(Se)in plants. Water-soluble Se, including selenate, selenite and some organic selenium, was the predominant form taken up by plants. The active uptake of selenate in plant could be mediated by high affinity sulfate transporters. The mechanism of selenite uptake was not well understood, however, recent studies suggested that selenite uptake was probably mediated by Pi transporters. The translocation of Se from root to shoot was dependent on the form of Se supplied. The selenate taken up by plants was readily translocated to the shoots and reduced to selenite in leaves, then converted to organic Se compound. By contrast, most of the selenite taken up by plants in the roots and only a small fraction was translocated to the shoots. Se could be assimilated to seleno amino acids or selenoprotein after plant uptake, and then involved in the metabolism of plants.