Gained in translation: The power of digging deep into disease models.

Mutations affecting the SECISBP2 protein necessary for selenocysteine incorporation are linked to human disease, but with a wide range of clinical outcomes. To gain insight into this diversity, Zhao et al. dissect the phenotypic and molecular consequences of two specific mutations in the Secisbp2 gene that partially disrupt selenoprotein synthesis. They observe surprising tissue-dependent effects, emphasizing the complexities of translational science.