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Jurgen Jansen

Publications and source records attributed to Jurgen Jansen.

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Thyroid hormone transport by the human monocarboxylate transporter 8 and its rate-limiting role in intracellular metabolism.

Cellular entry of thyroid hormone is mediated by plasma membrane transporters. We have identified rat monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) as an active and specific thyroid hormone transporter. The MCT8 gene is located on the X-chromosome. The physiological relevance of MCT8 has been demonstrated by the identification of hemizygous mutations in this gene in males with severe psychomotor retardation and elevated serum T(3) levels. We have characterized human (h) MCT8 by analysis of iodothyronine uptake and metabolism in cell lines transiently transfected with hMCT8 cDNA alone or together with cDNA coding for iodothyronine deiodinase D1, D2, or D3. MCT8 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in a number of human cell lines as well as in COS1 cells but was low to undetectable in other cell lines, including JEG3 cells. MCT8 protein was not detected in nontransfected cell lines tested by immunoblotting using a polyclonal C-terminal hMCT8 antibody but was detectable in transfected cells at the expected size (61 kDa). Transfection of COS1 and JEG3 cells with hMCT8 cDNA resulted in 2- to 3-fold increases in uptake of T(3) and T(4) but little or no increase in rT(3) or 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T(2)) uptake. MCT8 expression produced large increases in T(4) metabolism by cotransfected D2 or D3, T(3) metabolism by D3, rT(3) metabolism by D1 or D2, and 3,3'-T(2) metabolism by D3. Affinity labeling of hMCT8 protein was observed after incubation of intact transfected cells with N-bromoacetyl-[(125)I]T(3). hMCT8 also facilitated affinity labeling of cotransfected D1 by bromoacetyl-T(3). Our findings indicate that hMCT8 mediates plasma membrane transport of iodothyronines, thus increasing their intracellular availability.

Affinity Labels↗

Mechanisms of disease: psychomotor retardation and high T3 levels caused by mutations in monocarboxylate transporter 8.

The actions and the metabolism of thyroid hormone are intracellular events that require the transport of iodothyronines across the plasma membrane. It is increasingly clear that this process does not occur by simple diffusion, but is facilitated by transport proteins. Only recently have iodothyronine transporters been identified at the molecular level, of which organic anion transporting polypeptide 1C1 and monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) deserve special mention, because of their high activity and specificity for iodothyronines. Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1C1 is almost exclusively expressed in brain capillaries, and may be crucial for the transport of the prohormone T4 across the blood-brain barrier. MCT8 is also expressed in the brain--in particular, in neurons--but also in other tissues. MCT8 seems to be especially important for the uptake of active hormone T3 into neurons, which is essential for optimal brain development. T3 is produced from T4 by type 2 deiodinase in neighboring astrocytes. Neurons express type 3 deiodinase, the enzyme that terminates T3 activity. The SLC16A2 (formerly MCT8) gene is located on chromosome Xq13.2 and has recently been associated with a syndrome combining severe, X-linked, psychomotor retardation and high serum T3 levels. In over 20 families, where affected males have developed this syndrome, several mutations in MCT8 have been identified. The disease mechanism is thought to involve a defect in the neuronal entry of T3 and, therefore, in the action and metabolism of T3 in these cells. This defect results in impaired neurological development and a decrease in T3 clearance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thyroid hormone transporters.

Thyroid hormone is essential for the development of the brain and the nervous system. Cellular entry is required for conversion of thyroid hormones by the intracellular deiodinases and for binding of T(3) to its nuclear receptors. Several transporters capable of thyroid hormone transport have been identified. Functional expression studies using Xenopus laevis oocytes have so far identified two categories of transporters involved in thyroid hormone uptake (i.e., organic anion transporters and amino acid transporters). Among the organic anion transporters, both Na(+) taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and various members of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) family mediate transport of iodothyronines. Because iodothyronines are a particular class of amino acids derived from tyrosine residues, it is no surprise that some amino acid transporters have been shown to be involved in thyroid hormone transport. We have characterized monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) as a very active and specific thyroid hormone transporter, the gene of which is located on the X chromosome. MCT8 is highly expressed in liver and brain but is also widely distributed in other tissues. MCT8 shows 50% amino acid identity with a system T amino acid transporter 1 (TAT1). TAT1, also called MCT10, has been characterized to transport aromatic amino acids but no iodothyronines. We have also found that mutations in MCT8 are associated with severe X-linked psychomotor retardation and strongly elevated serum T(3) levels in young boys.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗

Thyroid hormone transporters in health and disease.

Cellular entry is required for conversion of thyroid hormone by the intracellular deiodinases and for binding of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T(3)) to its nuclear receptors. Recently, several transporters capable of thyroid hormone transport have been identified. Functional expression studies using Xenopus laevis oocytes have demonstrated that organic anion transporters (e.g., OATPs), and L-type amino acid transporters (LATs) facilitate thyroid hormone uptake. Among these, OATP1C1 has a high affinity and specificity for thyroxine (T(4)). OATP1C1 is expressed in capillaries throughout the brain, suggesting it is critical for transport of T(4) over the blood-brain barrier. We have also characterized a member of the monocarboxylate transporter family, MCT8, as a very active and specific thyroid hormone transporter. Human MCT8 shows preference for T(3) as the ligand. MCT8 is highly expressed in liver and brain but is also widely distributed in other tissues. The MCT8 gene is located on the X chromosome. Recently, mutations in MCT8 have been found to be associated with severe X-linked psychomotor retardation and strongly elevated serum T(3) levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗