Does relaxation of selective constraints cause independent selenoprotein extinction in insect genomes?
Selenoproteins have been independently lost in several insect species, possibly as a consequence of the relaxation in insects of the selective constraints acting across metazoans to maintain selenoproteins. The dispensability of selenoproteins in insects may be related to the fundamental differences in antioxidant defense between these animals and other metazoans.
Correlations between components of the uPA system and lung function, small airway fibrosis and emphysema indicate a role for the uPA system in COPD.