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Extended clinical phenotype, endocrine investigations and functional studies of a loss-of-function mutation A150V in the thyroid hormone specific transporter MCT8.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormones, besides having other functions, are known to be essential for the development of the human brain. Recently the monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) was identified as a thyroid hormone transporter which is expressed in different regions of the human brain. Here we describe in detail the clinical and biochemical features in response to thyroid hormone administration of a boy carrying an MCT8 mutation (A150V) in the second transmembrane domain. METHODS: To study the functional impact of the mutation we performed triiodothyronine (T3) uptake, immunofluorescence and dimerization studies. RESULTS: Thyroid hormone (l-thyroxine (LT4) and LT3) administration did not result in any significant clinical changes; however, with high doses of LT4, alone or in combination with T3, TSH suppression was achieved. We could show a robust uptake of (125)I-T3 for wild type (WT) MCT8, whereas no specific uptake could be detected for the mutant A150V. Subcellular localization of WT and mutant MCT8 revealed a strong cell surface expression for the WT MCT8, in contrast to A150V, which is mostly retained intracellularly with only weak cell surface expression. We could also demonstrate for the first time that WT MCT8 as well as the mutant are able to form multimers. CONCLUSION: Our findings open a wide field of possible interaction within the central nervous system and will help to understand the crucial role of MCT8 in early fetal brain development.

Animals↗

General comments on tissue sensitivity to thyroid hormones in starvation.

The interrelationship between thyroid hormones and catecholamines is discussed. It is known that hypothyroidism will decrease tissue sensitivity to exogenous catecholamines. There is, however, no experimental proof that the thyroid hormones changes, particularly the low serum T(3) levels encountered in systemic illness and starvation, are sufficient to change tissue sensitivity to catecholamines. Catecholamines and thyroid hormones influence thermogenesis. Recently a decreased effectiveness of thyroid hormones in the starving hypothyroid rat has been documented. It has, however, not been excluded that part of this change is due to a combined change in effectiveness of thyroid hormones and catecholamines on thermogenesis.

Catecholamines↗

[Thyroid hormone production and its regulation].

Thyroid gland fulfills two functions. On one hand, it synthesizes and builds up stocks of thyroid hormones in thyroglobulin molecules of the colloid in its follicles, such as they can maintain the hormonal secretion during several days and even weeks. To do this, it captures and concentrates plasma iodide through a specific membrane transporter and it oxidizes iodide through the action of thyroperoxidase and H2O2. This makes it able to bind to tyrosine residus of thyroglobulin. Then, the iodotyrosines can form the thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) by a coupling reaction. On the other hand, thyroid secretes the hormones after internalization and proteolysis of thyroglobulin. All the steps of synthesis and secretion are regulated by pituitary TSH, through a negative feed-back action of T4 and T3. Thus, any increase or decrease of circulating thyroid hormones induces the opposite modification of TSH. In addition, an important fraction of plasma and tissue T3 is produced through the extrathyroidal monodeiodination of T4 by enzymes (5' deiodases) which are regulated by the nutritional status and by thyroid hormones.

Humans↗

Localization and expression of thyroid hormone receptors normal and neoplastic human thyroid.

The aim of this study was to investigate the regional expression of thyroid hormone nuclear receptor forms (TR(alpha) and TR(beta)) and isoform (TR(alpha1) and TR(beta2)) mRNAs in normal and neoplastic (benignant and malignant) human thyroid tissue. Tumor specimens from patients with thyroid carcinomas (papillary: 5 cases; follicular: 5 cases; anaplastic: 2 cases), thyroid follicular adenomas (7 cases) and tissue from normal thyroid glands (12 cases) were analyzed by in situ hybridization and semiquantitative RT-PCR for the expression of TR(alpha1) and beta, as well as for the isoform alpha2 that does not bind the hormone. In normal tissues, TR(alpha2) was expressed at lower levels compared to TR(alpha1) (alpha1/alpha2 = 4.3). In papillary and follicular carcinomas, the expression of TR(alpha1) and TR(beta) did not change as compared with normal thyroid tissue and adenomas (0.87 +/- 0.15 SD vs 0.89 +/- 0.17 densitometric units, DU, and 0.15 +/- 0.02 vs 0.14 +/- 0.03 DU, respectively). However, the expression of TR(alpha2) was significantly higher in differentiated carcinomas compared to normal thyroid tissue and adenomas (0.47 +/- 0.05 vs 0.20 +/- 0.05 DU, p < 0.05) with alpha1/alpha2 = 1.4. In anaplastic carcinoma all TRs were absent. We concluded that both normal and pathological thyroid tissues, with the exception of anaplastic carcinoma, express all TRs in thyreocites and that differentiated thyroid carcinomas are associated in enhancing the expression of TR(alpha2) mRNA.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Increased insulin sensitivity in intrauterine growth retarded newborns--do thyroid hormones play a role?

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones are necessary for normal brain development. We studied thyroid hormone profile and insulin sensitivity in intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) newborns to find correlation between insulin sensitivity and thyroid status in IUGR newborns. METHODS: Fifty IUGR and fifty healthy control infants were studied at birth. Cord blood was collected for determination of T(3), T(4), TSH, glucose and insulin levels. RESULTS: IUGR newborns had significantly lower insulin, mean+/-S.D., 5.25+/-2.81 vs. 11.02+/-1.85microU/ml, but significantly higher insulin sensitivity measured as glucose to insulin ratio (G/I), 9.80+/-2.91 vs. 6.93+/-1.08 compared to healthy newborns. TSH was also significantly higher 6.0+/-2.70 vs. 2.99+/-1.05microU/ml with significantly lower T(4), 8.65+/-1.95 vs. 9.77+/-2.18microg/dl, but similar T(3) levels, 100.8+/-24.36 vs. 101.45+/-23.45ng/dl. On stepwise linear regression analysis in IUGR infants, insulin sensitivity was found to have a significant negative association with T(4) and significant positive association with TSH. CONCLUSION: Thyroid hormones may play a role in increased insulin sensitivity at birth in IUGR.

Birth Weight↗

The impact of exercise on thyroid hormone metabolism in children and adolescents.

Thyroid hormones are important regulators of energy metabolism and may influence energy processes during physical exercise. There are controversial results concerning thyroid hormone metabolism during strenuous exercise in adult athletes and only scant data concerning the impact of strenuous exercise on thyroid hormone metabolism in children and adolescents. Although some studies demonstrate a transient change in thyroid hormones during intense physical performance, most studies agree that these changes are of minor impact, practically reflecting the relative negative energy balance during strenuous exercise. This state of hypometabolism during intense physical performance has also been confirmed in highly trained female young athletes, who may be also characterized by reproductive axis dysfunction, manifested either as luteal-phase deficiency or amenorrhea, alongside the typical constellation of low T3, insulin and leptin levels. More importantly, strenuous exercise during childhood or adolescence is mostly accompanied by a delay of skeletal maturation, and height and may have a long-lasting negative effect on growth and acquisition of maximum bone mass. In conclusion, although thyroid hormones are only transiently or insignificantly changed during strenuous exercise, adequate caloric intake should be guaranteed in highly performing young athletes in order to counteract the relative negative energy balance and prevent alterations in endocrine-metabolic profile. Moreover, when growth and pubertal progression in very young athletes are significantly impaired, a reduction in the intensity of the physical exercise should be advocated in order to guarantee better final height and adequate acquisition of bone mass.

Adolescent↗

Iodine metabolism and thyroid-related functions in organisms lacking thyroid follicles: are thyroid hormones also vitamins?

Thyroid-related functions in organisms devoid of follicular thyroid tissue have been reviewed. In the lamprey, a primitive vertebrate, the larva concentrates iodide and synthesizes thyroid hormones (TH) by iodoperoxidase (IP)-mediated iodination of a thyroglobulin (TG)-like molecule in a subpharyngeal afollicular endostyle. The endostyle is the thyroid homolog, and it reorganizes into a follicular thyroid at metamorphosis to the adult. Ascidians and amphloxus, invertebrate protochordate relatives of vertebrates, also concentrate iodide and synthesize TH in a subpharyngeal afollicular endostyle, but the endostyle never transforms to follicles. Ascidian plasma contains L-thyroxine and its more biologically active derivative 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine, and TH receptors exist, but TH effects are poorly understood. No other invertebrates possess an endostyle. Several invertebrates concentrate iodide at other sites and form protein-incorporated iodohistidines and iodotyrosines; however, de novo iodothyronine biosynthesis through IP-mediated TG iodination has not been established. Nevertheless, TH occur in invertebrates, and exogenous iodothyrosines or iodothyronines have effects on jellyfish, insects, and sea urchins. Furthermore, gut bacteria metabolize TH, and plants may synthesize TH by nonenzymatic oxidative iodination. Thus, TH occur in many organisms and, after ingestion and enteric absorption, can enter the food chain. Indeed, sea urchin larvae obtain TH required to induce metamorphosis from plant diatoms. Thyroid hormones can therefore have vitamin-like effects and, in conjunction with vitamin D, and possibly with other steroids, may be more aptly termed vitamones. Availability of exogenous TH has implications for models of invertebrate and vertebrate TH metabolism and iodine salvaging, and it may explain the prominent and probable ancestral role of peripheral mechanisms in regulating thyroidal status.

Animals↗

Hormone-dependent and -independent transcriptional activation by thyroid hormone receptors are mediated by different mechanisms.

Transcriptional activation by thyroid hormone (T3) receptor (T3R) generally requires the binding of its high affinity ligand. However, we reported previously that chicken T3R alpha (cTaR alpha) and human T3R beta 1 (hT3R beta 1) could activate transcription from several promoters containing T3R response elements (TREs) in a hormone-independent fashion when expressed in rat anterior pituitary GH4C1 cells. In this study we show that rat T3R alpha 1 also activates transcription without T3 in GH4C1 cells and that the oncoprotein v-erbA that is derived from cT3R alpha but does bind T3 is not a constitutive activator in these cells. Increased expression of T3R results in transcriptional activation of both native and minimal promoters, and this activation does not appear to require a defined TRE in the promoter. Because hormone-independent activity is not observed in several other cell lines, this activity may involve specific factors present in GH4C1 cells. Three mutants with single amino acid changes in a 20-amino acid region of the ligand-binding domain of cT3R alpha do not mediate hormone-independent activity. This region is highly conserved within the nuclear receptor family and has been implicated in interactions with other proteins, suggesting participation of other transcription or accessory factors in the hormone-independent activity of T3R. Two of these mutants mediate hormone-dependent transcriptional activation similar to wild-type cT3R alpha. All three mutants interact in vitro with retinoid X receptor beta similar to wild-type cT3R alpha. Our findings suggest that hormone-dependent and hormone-independent transactivation proceed by distinct mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Resistance to thyroid hormone in children.

The genetic etiology of thyroid hormone resistance syndromes is now well established. Two clinical variants, generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH) and selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone (PRTH), are, in most cases, caused by heterozygous mutations in the ligand-binding domain of the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor gene. No human mutations have yet been described in the other related receptor gene, c-erbA alpha. In resistant patients, the mutant beta receptors act as dominant negative proteins and inhibit function of the normal beta receptor (expressed from one allele) and the normal alpha receptor (expressed from two alleles). Patients homozygous for a dominant negative allele (the Bercu patient) and without any beta receptor (the Refetoff patient) have been described. Patients with GRTH and PRTH both present with elevated free thyroxine and triiodothyronine and inappropriately normal thyroid-stimulating hormone, but the former patients are clinically euthyroid, whereas the latter patients have symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism. However, in some cases, different patients who have been classified as having GRTH and PRTH have been found to have identical beta mutations. A recent study of the level of pituitary resistance in a large kindred with GRTH (ARG-320-HIS mutation) indicated a contributory gene in the regulation of thyroid hormone action. Relative overexpression of the mutant PRO-453-HIS receptor at the level of messenger RNA in patient fibroblasts (kindred A) was associated with short stature. Finally, an ARG-316-HIS mutation (kindred G-H) was associated with relatively weak dominant negative activity and perturbed DNA-binding properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the thyroid hormone receptor alpha.

The thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TR alpha) exhibits a dual role as an activator or repressor of gene transcription in response to thyroid hormone (T(3)). Our studies show that TR alpha, formerly thought to reside solely in the nucleus tightly bound to DNA, actually shuttles rapidly between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The finding that TR alpha shuttles reveals an additional checkpoint in receptor control of gene expression. Using Xenopus oocyte microinjection assays, we show that there are two coexisting mechanisms for nuclear entry of TR alpha. First, nuclear import of TR alpha (molecular mass 46 kDa) was not sensitive to general inhibitors of signal-mediated transport, indicating that TR alpha can enter the oocyte nucleus by passive diffusion. Second, when TR alpha was tagged with glutathione-S:-transferase, import of the fusion protein (molecular mass 73 kDa) was completely blocked by these inhibitors, demonstrating that an alternative, signal-mediated import pathway exists for TR alpha. Nuclear retention of TR alpha in oocytes is enhanced in the presence of T(3), suggesting that more intranuclear binding sites are available for the ligand-bound receptor. Using mammalian cells, we show that shuttling of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged and untagged TR alpha is inhibited in both chilled and energy-depleted cells, suggesting that there is an energy-requiring step in the nuclear retention/export process. Nuclear export of TR alpha is not blocked by leptomycin B, a specific inhibitor of the export receptor CRM1, indicating that TR alpha does not require the CRM1 pathway to exit the nucleus. Dominant negative mutants of TR with defects in DNA binding and transactivation accumulate in the cytoplasm at steady state, illustrating that even single amino acid changes in functional domains may alter the subcellular distribution of TR. In contrast to TR alpha, nuclear export of its oncogenic homolog v-ErbA is sensitive to leptomycin B, suggesting that the oncoprotein follows a CRM1-mediated export pathway. Acquisition of altered nuclear export capabilities may contribute to the oncogenic properties of v-ErbA.

Animals↗

Membrane receptors mediating thyroid hormone action.

A recently identified thyroid hormone cell surface receptor on the extracellular domain of integrin alphaVbeta3 leads in human cell lines to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction cascade. Examples of MAPK-dependent thyroid hormone actions are plasma membrane ion pump stimulation and specific nuclear events. These events include serine phosphorylation of the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor, leading to coactivator protein recruitment and complex tissue responses, such as thyroid hormone-induced angiogenesis or tumor cell growth. The existence of this cell surface receptor means that the activity of administered hormone could be limited through structural modification of the molecule to reproduce or inhibit only those hormone actions initiated at the cell surface. Examples of such modifications are provided.

Animals↗

Expansion of microsatellite in the thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 gene linked to increased receptor expression and less aggressive thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the length of the THRA1 microsatellite, which resides in a noncoding portion of the thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 gene, affects receptor expression and is linked to clinicopathological parameters in thyroid cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In 30 cases of surgically resected sporadic thyroid cancer, the length of the THRA1 microsatellite was determined by DNA sequence analysis, and expression of thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 was assessed immunohistochemically in thin sections cut from tumor blocks. The length of THRA1 and expression of thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 were also assessed in seven cancer cell lines. Regression analysis was used to gauge the correlation between the size of THRA1 and receptor expression. Multivariate analysis was used to test for links to the clinical parameters of gender, age, histology, stage, nodal involvement, distant metastasis, extrathyroidal invasion and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation between the length of THRA1 and thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 expression was observed in both cell lines and primary thyroid cancers. Thyroid tumors that displayed higher than average thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 expression had expanded THRA1 microsatellites and were less aggressive as judged by TNM ranking. A statistically significant correlation was also found between low thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 expression and more aggressive thyroid cancer, as judged by extrathyroidal invasion and nodal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Less aggressive thyroid cancer was found to be linked to increased thyroid hormone receptor-alpha1 expression and an expanded THRA1 microsatellite.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Effect of thyroid hormone on the development and gene expression of hormone receptors in rat testes in vivo.

Thyroid hormone is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of prepuberal rat testes development and function with specific influence on the differentiation of Sertoli cells, the only cell type that expresses thyroid hormone receptors in testes. To explore in vivo effects of thyroid hormone on testes development and the regulation of testicular gene expression, the hyper- and hypothyroid rat models were established by T3 injection to pups (ip 100 microg/kg bw) and by oral administration of 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) to the lactating mother from days 1 to 21 post-delivery. Half of the rats from each group were sacrificed at 21 days of age, and the other half were allowed to recover with discontinued treatments from day 22 to day 50. At 21 days of age, a significantly elevated serum T3 level was observed in hyperthyroid rats (179.5 ng/dl) vs controls (97.5 ng/dl), and in hypothyroid rats a significantly lower level of T3 was detected (26.1 ng/dl). However, serum T4 concentration was significantly lower in both hyper- (0.105 microg/dl) and hypothyroid (0.058 microg/dl) rats compared to the controls (2.48 microg/dl). In recovered rats in which the serum T3 and T4 were restored to normal, the serum T levels remained remarkably lower in both hyper- and hypothyroid rats. The significantly decreased body and testes weights observed in both hyper- and hypothyroid rats at 21 days of age were not restored by the time they were 50 days old. Histological analyses of testes of 21-day-old hypothyroid rats revealed smaller-sized seminiferous tubules, incomplete lumen formation and delayed germ cell differentiation and in hyperthyroid rats an increased number of early stage spermatocytes was found. Testicular mRNA levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R), luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) and androgen binding protein (ABP) were studied by Northern blot hybridization. At 21 days of age data showed that FSH-R mRNA levels were significantly higher in both hyper- and hypothyroid rat testes compared to controls, but no differences were detected in recovered 50-day-old rats. Significantly decreased ABP mRNA levels were detected only in hypothyroid rat testes compared to those in both the hyperthyroid and control groups at 21 days of age, but no significant change was observed in recovered 50-day-old rats. To further evaluate the effect of thyroid hormone on the Leydig cell function, the 2.3/2.6 kb specific LH-R hybridization bands were detected with rat LH-R cRNA probe. Significant suppression of LH-R mRNA levels was only observed in the hypothyroid rat testes at 50 days of age. The testicular thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and the regulation of TR by thyroid hormone were investigated using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Both TRalpha and TRbeta mRNAs were identified in the testes from 21- and/or 50-day-old rats. TRalpha mRNA levels were significantly increased in hypothyroid rat testes and were suppressed in hyperthyroid rats at 21 days of age and no changes of TRalpha mRNA were found in recovered animals. Our in vivo data strongly suggest that the thyroid hormone directly affects the development of prepuberal testes and the regulation of FSH-R and ABP gene expression in Sertoli cells, as well as the LH-R mRNA levels in Leydig cells, which may lead to further modulating the effect of gonadotropins on testes function.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

Thyroid hormone induction of actin polymerization in somatotrophs of hypothyroid rats: potential repercussions in growth hormone synthesis and secretion.

Thyroid hormone was shown to induce actin cytoskeleton polymerization in hypothyroid astrocytes and osteoblastic cells by a nongenomic mechanism. Polyadenylation of GH mRNA, a process that depends on cytoskeleton-associated proteins, was also shown to be regulated by thyroid hormone. Here we investigated by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry whether acute (100 microg per 100 g body weight, iv, for 30 min) or chronic (5 microg per 100 g body weight, ip, 5 d) administration of T3 to thyroidectomized (Tx) and sham-operated rats affects the somatotrophs F-actin cytoskeleton arrangement and its potential repercussion on GH synthesis and secretion. Thyroidectomy dramatically decreased the amount of somatotrophs F-actin content and induced the disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton. These effects were reversed by acute and chronic administration of T3. In addition, in Tx rat somatotrophs, GH labeling was detected mostly at the cell periphery. After 30 min of T3 administration, GH labeling decreased at periphery and increased in the perinuclear region, suggesting that GH secretion and synthesis were stimulated by T3. No differences were detected in the total actin protein content, although a decrease in the F- and increase in G-actin contents were detected in Tx rat pituitaries, a panorama that was reversed by acute T3 treatment, as shown by Western blotting analysis. The sham-operated animals' somatotrophs were only mildly affected by acute T3 administration. The results indicate that the T3-induced rapid alterations on somatotroph actin cytoskeleton and GH cellular distribution resulted from actin filaments rearrangement, which characterizes a nongenomic action.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Expression of thyroid hormone receptors in intracranial meningiomas.

Thyroid hormone has a unique function in human organs. Many of its effects occur at the level of gene expression and are mediated by thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). We investigated the relationship between TRs and the prognosis of meningiomas. We investigated TR expression in human intracranial meningiomas using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Specimens of 25 tumors were obtained by craniotomy from various intracranial meningiomas. We found that the expression of TRs was receptor subtype- and cell type-dependent. Human TR alpha1 (hTR alpha1) was expressed in nine cases, hTR alpha2 was expressed in 14 cases, and both hTR alpha1 and hTR alpha2 were expressed in five cases; hTR beta1 was expressed in nine cases of recurrent or malignant tumors. The expression of hTR beta1 may be an indicator of recurrent or malignant meningiomas.

Adult↗

Identification of thyroid hormone receptors in the human larynx.

PURPOSE: Thyroid hormone is essential for normal development, growth, and function of the majority of tissues. Among the many clinical signs associated with hypothyroidism, alterations in the voice may occur even in cases of mild thyroid failure, suggesting that the larynx is a target tissue for thyroid hormone. The objective of our study is to further understand the effects of thyroid hormone on the larynx by first identifying the presence and locations of its receptors. METHODS: Two human cadaveric larynges (one male and one female) were harvested, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded. Sections were immunostained with antibodies reactive with the two identified thyroid hormone receptors, TR-alpha and TR-beta. The slides were examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Both male and female specimens revealed consistent patterns of staining for thyroid hormone receptors. The staining pattern for TR-alpha included the fibrous connective tissue of the lamina propria, the cartilage, and the glandular elements. The staining pattern for TR-beta included the fibrous connective tissue of the lamina propria only. No receptors were identified in the respiratory mucosa or muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid hormone receptors are present in both the male and the female human larynx. These findings imply a role for thyroid hormone within the human larynx, through both TR-alpha and TR-beta.

Cartilage↗