Functional regulation of GTP-binding protein coupled to insulin-like growth factor-I receptor by lithium during G1 phase of the rat thyroid cell cycle

Insulin-Like Growth Factor Pathway and the Thyroid

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway comprises two activating ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II), two cell-surface receptors (IGF-IR and IGF-IIR), six IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) and nine IGFBP related proteins. IGF-I and the IGF-IR share substantial structural and functional similarities to those of insulin and its receptor. IGF-I plays important regulatory roles in the development, growth, and function of many human tissues. Its pathway intersects with those mediating the actions of many cytokines, growth factors and hormones. Among these, IGFs impact the thyroid and the hormones that it generates. Further, thyroid hormones and thyrotropin (TSH) can influence the biological effects of growth hormone and IGF-I on target tissues. The consequences of this two-way interplay can be far-reaching on many metabolic and immunologic processes. Specifically, IGF-I supports normal function, volume and hormone synthesis of the thyroid gland. Some of these effects are mediated through enhancement of sensitivity to the actions of TSH while others may be independent of pituitary function. IGF-I also participates in pathological conditions of the thyroid, including benign enlargement and tumorigenesis, such as those occurring in acromegaly. With regard to Graves' disease (GD) and the periocular process frequently associated with it, namely thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), IGF-IR has been found overexpressed in orbital connective tissues, T and B cells in GD and TAO. Autoantibodies of the IgG class are generated in patients with GD that bind to IGF-IR and initiate the signaling from the TSHR/IGF-IR physical and functional protein complex. Further, inhibition of IGF-IR with monoclonal antibody inhibitors can attenuate signaling from either TSHR or IGF-IR. Based on those findings, the development of teprotumumab, a β-arrestin biased agonist as a therapeutic has resulted in the first medication approved by the US FDA for the treatment of TAO. Teprotumumab is now in wide clinical use in North America.

Clozapine and lithium require Caenorhabditis elegans β-arrestin and serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase to affect Daf-16 (FOXO) localization

Numerous studies have implicated low levels of signaling in the Akt network with psychotic illnesses, and a growing body of literature has shown that all classes of antipsychotic drugs increase Akt signaling. The most clinically effective antipsychotic drug is clozapine. With Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, this study demonstrates that clozapine is unique among antipsychotic drugs because it requires β-arrestin and serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK) in addition to Akt to suppress the nuclear localization of DAF-16 (Forkhead box O [FOXO]). Lithium, a mood stabilizer often used to treat psychosis, also requires β-arrestin and SGK to suppress the nuclear localization of DAF-16.

Regulation of flagellar length in Chlamydomonas

The length of eukaryotic cilia and flagella depends on the cell cycle-regulated assembly and disassembly of at least 9 doublet and 2 central microtubules, their associated proteins, and the surrounding membrane. In light-synchronized Chlamydomonas cells, flagella assembled to 10-14 microm in length near the beginning of the light period and they disassembled prior to cell division, during the dark period. Flagella on light-synchronized pf18 Chlamydomonas mutants grew to 10-12 microm near the beginning of the light period but shortened by 50% or more by the end of the light period. Flagellar length was cell-cycle regulated: when flagella were amputated at various times during the light period, new flagella regenerated to the lengths of control cells at that time of the light cycle. The later in the cycle pf18 cells were deflagellated, the shorter were the regenerated flagella. Flagellar shortening was not affected, in either pf18 or wild-type (wt) cells, by inhibitors of protein synthesis or of microtubule assembly, so flagellar length cannot depend on protein turnover. Shortening in pf18 was attenuated by Li+, which stimulated flagellar growth in wt cells, by red light, by protein kinase inhibitors, and by the Ca2+ channel blockers La3+ and Cd2+. Shortening was increased by cAMP, Na+, K+, and EGTA. Ca2+-CAM blockers did not affect pf18 shortening but they increased shortening in wt and fa1 cells. We propose that flagellar length is regulated by a signal transduction pathway that is sensitive to Ca2+ levels and red light.

The effects of lithium therapy on thyroid and thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Lithium is used in the prophylaxis of bipolar depressive disorder in augmentation treatment of depression and in the therapy of some cases of unipolar depression. Lithium affects cell function via its inhibitory action on adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and intracellular enzymes. The inhibitory effect of lithium on inositol phospholipid metabolism affects signal transduction and may account for part of the action of the cation in manic depression. Lithium also alters the in vitro response of cultured cells to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and can stimulate DNA synthesis. Lithium is concentrated by the thyroid and inhibits thyroidal iodine uptake. It also inhibits iodotyrosine coupling, alters thyroglobulin structure, and inhibits thyroid hormone secretion. The latter effect is critical to the development of hypothyroidism and goiter. Effects on brain deiodinase enzymes and alterations in thyroid hormone receptor concentration in the hypothalamus are under investigation in relation to the therapeutic effect of lithium. The ion affects many aspects of cellular and humoral immunity in vitro and in vivo. This accounts for a rise in antithyroid antibody titer in patients having these antibodies before lithium administration whereas there is no induction of thyroid antibody synthesis de novo. Goiter, due to increased thyrotropin (TSH) after inhibition of thyroid hormone release, occurs at various reported incidence rates from 0%-60% and is smooth and nontender. Subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism due to lithium is usually associated with circulating anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies but may occur in their absence. Iodine exposure, dietary goitrogens, and immunogenetic background may all contribute to the occurrence of goiter and hypothyroidism during long-term lithium therapy. It is currently unclear whether the reported association of lithium therapy and hyperthyroidism are causal, although there is suggestive epidemiological evidence. Finally, lithium therapy is associated with exaggerated response of both TSH and prolactin to TRH in 50%-100% of patients, although basal levels are not usually high. It is probable that the hypothalamic pituitary axis adjusts to a new setting in patients receiving lithium.

Staurosporine can inhibit the G1-S transition induced by a calcium channel agonist by blocking the pathway independent of phorbol ester-sensitive protein kinase C in rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5)

IGF-I, when added to TSH-primed FRTL-5 cells, can induce a long lasting Ca2+ influx followed by the DNA synthesis. BAY K8644, a Ca2+ channel agonist, can also induce the DNA synthesis in TSH-treated cells. Staurosporine, which is known to be a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C(PKC) strongly inhibited the DNA synthesis caused by these two reagents. However, in PKC-down regulated cells, IGF-I and BAY K8644 could also evoke the DNA synthesis and the inhibitory effect of staurosporine persisted. These inhibitory effects did not relay on inhibition of the Ca2+ influx induced by BAY K8644. Thus these results demonstrate that staurosporine acts at a point distal to Ca2+ influx to inhibit G1-S transition and this staurosporine-sensitive pathway possibly mediates the mitogenic signal in PKC-independent manner.