Thyrotropin receptor expression in adrenal, kidney, and thymus

C. M. Dutton, W. Joba, C. Spitzweg, A. E. Heufelder, R. S. Bahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Because the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) has long been considered a thyroid-specific protein, its presence in extrathyroidal tissues has been controversial. In this study, we sought to detect and quantify this potentially low abundance mRNA in various extrathyroid issues using liquid hybridization analysis (LHA) and to detect protein with immunohistochemical studies. Strongly positive protected bands, indicating the presence of both intact (2.4 kb) and variant (1.3 kb) TSHr mRNA, were apparent in LHA gel lanes corresponding to normal thyroid, Graves' thyroid, and thymus. Less abundant protected bands of the same sizes were present in lanes corresponding to normal adrenal, and samples from normal kidney were faintly positive. The full-length transcript:variant transcript ratio was approximately 1:1 in all positive tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of TSHR-like reactivity in paraffin-embedded thymus, adrenal, and kidney revealed specific staining in each of these tissues. No TSHR mRNA or TSHR- like immunoreactivity was detected in samples from several other normal human tissues. We conclude that measurable TSHR mRNA and protein expression is no restricted to the thyroid gland. Further study is warranted to determine whether these extrathyroid receptors play a role in normal physiology or in disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)879-884
Number of pages6
JournalThyroid
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Thyrotropin receptor expression in adrenal, kidney, and thymus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this