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Definition of Selenocysteine
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Selenocysteine: An amino acid in which selenium takes the place of sulfur in the amino acid cysteine. Its formula is H-Se-CH2-CH(NH2)-COOH. Selenocysteine is an essential component of selenium-containing proteins, or selenoproteins.