International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Characterization and Quantification of Selenoprotein P: Challenges to Mass Spectrometry Jérémy Lamarche 1,* , Luisa Ronga 1, Joanna Szpunar 1 and Ryszard Lobinski 1,2,3 1 IPREM UMR5254, E2S UPPA, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie Pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux, CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, Hélioparc, 64053 Pau, France;
[email protected] (L.R.);
[email protected] (J.S.);
[email protected] (R.L.) 2 World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119435 Moscow, Russia 3 Chair of Analytical Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is an emerging marker of the nutritional status of selenium and of various diseases, however, its chemical characteristics still need to be investigated and methods for its accurate quantitation improved. SELENOP is unique among selenoproteins, as it contains multiple genetically encoded SeCys residues, whereas all the other characterized selenoproteins contain just one. SELENOP occurs in the form of multiple isoforms, truncated species and post-translationally modified variants which are relatively poorly characterized. The accurate quantification of SELENOP is contingent on the availability of specific primary standards and reference methods. Before recom- binant SELENOP becomes available to be used as a primary standard, careful investigation of the characteristics of the SELENOP measured by electrospray MS and strict control of the recoveries at the various steps of the analytical procedures are strongly recommended.