Thyrotropin receptors in normal human thyroid. Nonclassical binding kinetics not explained by the negative cooperativity model

Thyrotropin acts as a T-cell developmental factor in mice and humans

Using gene expression profiling, we detected differential thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) expression during human T-cell development in the thymus. This expression pattern indicated a potential role for the TSH-R within the thymus, independent of its function in the thyroid gland. Here, we demonstrate that TSH-R expression is thymus-specific within the immune system. TSH was able to bind and activate the TSH-R present on thymocytes, thereby activating calcium signaling and cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathways. Mice lacking functional TSH-R expression (hyt/hyt mice) were shown to have lower frequencies of DP and SP thymocytes compared to their heterozygous littermates. Moreover, addition of TSH to co-cultures of human thymocytes enhanced T-cell development. Thus, TSH acts as a previously unrecognized growth factor for developing T cells, with potential clinical use to enhance thymic output and thereby the functional T-cell repertoire in the periphery. The direct effects of TSH on thymocytes may also explain the thus far enigmatic thymic hyperplasia in Graves' disease.

Evidence that the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor transmembrane domain influences kinetics of TSH binding to the receptor ectodomain

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-induced reduction in ligand binding affinity (negative cooperativity) requires TSH receptor (TSHR) homodimerization, the latter involving primarily the transmembrane domain (TMD) but with the extracellular domain (ECD) also contributing to this association. To test the role of the TMD in negative cooperativity, we studied the TSHR ECD tethered to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that multimerizes despite the absence of the TMD. Using the infinite ligand dilution approach, we confirmed that TSH increased the rate of dissociation (k(off)) of prebound (125)I-TSH from CHO cells expressing the TSH holoreceptor. Such negative cooperativity did not occur with TSHR ECD-GPI-expressing cells. However, even in the absence of added TSH, (125)I-TSH dissociated much more rapidly from the TSHR ECD-GPI than from the TSH holoreceptor. This phenomenon, suggesting a lower TSH affinity for the former, was surprising because both the TSHR ECD and TSH holoreceptor contain the entire TSH-binding site, and the TSH binding affinities for both receptor forms should, theoretically, be identical. In ligand competition studies, we observed that the TSH binding affinity for the TSHR ECD-GPI was significantly lower than that for the TSH holoreceptor. Further evidence for a difference in ligand binding kinetics for the TSH holoreceptor and TSHR ECD-GPI was obtained upon comparison of the TSH K(d) values for these two receptor forms at 4 °C versus room temperature. Our data provide the first evidence that the wild-type TSHR TMD influences ligand binding affinity for the ECD, possibly by altering the conformation of the closely associated hinge region that contributes to the TSH-binding site.

Long-lasting target binding and rebinding as mechanisms to prolong in vivo drug action

An increasing number of examples in the literature suggest that the in vivo duration of drug action not only depends on macroscopic pharmacokinetic properties like plasma half-life and the time needed to equilibrate between the plasma and the effect compartments, but is also influenced by long-lasting target binding and rebinding. The present review combines information from different research areas and simulations to explore the nature of these mechanisms and the conditions in which they are most prevalent. Simulations reveal that these latter phenomena become especially influential when there is no longer sufficient free drug around to maintain high levels of receptor occupancy. There is not always a direct link between slow dissociation and long-lasting in vivo target protection, as the rate of free drug elimination from the effect compartment is also a key influencing factor. Local phenomena that hinder the diffusion of free drug molecules away from their target may allow them to consecutively bind to the same target and/or targets nearby (denoted as 'rebinding') even when their concentration in the bulk phase has already dropped to insignificant levels. The micro-anatomic properties of many effect compartments are likely to intensify this phenomenon. By mimicking the complexity of tissues, intact cells offer the opportunity to investigate both mechanisms under the same, physiologically relevant conditions.

Structural basis of allosteric ligand-receptor interactions in the insulin/relaxin peptide family: implications for other receptor tyrosine kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors

The insulin/relaxin superfamily of peptide hormones comprises 10 members in humans. The three members of the insulin-related subgroup bind to receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), while four of the seven members of the relaxin-like subgroup are now known to bind to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the so-called relaxin family peptide receptors (RXFPs). Both systems have a long evolutionary history and play a critical role in fundamental biological processes, such as metabolism, growth, survival and longevity, and reproduction. The structural biology and ligand-binding kinetics of the insulin and insulin-like growth factor I receptors have been studied in great detail, culminating in the recent crystal structure of the insulin receptor extracellular domain. Some of the fundamental properties of these receptors, including constitutive dimerization and negative cooperativity, have recently been shown to extend to other RTKs and GPCRs, including RXFPs, confirming kinetic observations made over 30 years ago.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of human TSH receptor

Complementary cDNA clones encoding the TSH (thyroid stimulatory hormone) receptor were isolated from a human thyroid lambda gt10 library using Iow stringency hybridization with LH/hCG (luteinizing hormone-human choriogonadotropic hormone) receptor probes. Sequencing of the clones showed a 764 amino acid open reading frame. The first 21 amino acids probably correspond to a signal peptide, the mature protein thus contains 743 amino acids (calculated molecular weight: 84,501 daltons). Its putative structure consists of a 394 amino acid extracellular domain, a 266 amino acid membrane spanning domain with 7 putative transmembrane segments and a 83 amino acid intracellular domain. A high degree of homology is observed with LH/hCG receptor suggesting the definition of a new subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. Computer search showed the presence in the putative third intracellular loop of a motif resembling that described in the non receptor type protein tyrosine kinases (c-src, c-yes, c-fgr, etc...). RNA blots showed that the receptor messenger RNA consists of two major species of 4300 and 3900 nucleotides. The cDNA was inserted into an expression vector and after transfection into COS 7 cells it was shown to produce a functional TSH receptor.

Binding of thyrotropin to selected Mycoplasma species: detection of serum antibodies against a specific Mycoplasma membrane antigen in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

Radiolabeled human (hTSH) and bovine (bTSH) thyroid stimulating hormone was shown to bind to five species of Mycoplasma, the wall-less prokaryotes. The maximum binding capacity of 125I-bTSH to these five species was about 7.9 x 10(-13) moles-1.4 x 10(-12) moles for 50-100 micrograms protein with dissociation constants of approximately 1.7 to 2.2 x 10(-7)M. Approximately 50% of the 125I-bTSH binding was displaced by excess, unlabeled bTSH or hTSH, but labeled bTSH was not effectively displaced by growth hormone, LH, FSH, prolactin, or the beta subunit of hTSH, FSH and LH. Antisera prepared against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae bound to human thyroid membranes and guinea pig fat cells, suggesting that receptors on human thyroid tissues and on Mycoplasma cells may have similarities in antigenicity. These findings were substantiated by the occurrence of TSH binding to Mycoplasma antisera. Further, sera from three of six patients with Graves' disease containing antibodies to thyroid tissues also reacted to a 108 Kd polypeptide of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

Biological effect of anti-fucosyl GM1 ganglioside antibody on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production in FRTL5 rat thyroid cells

Addition of specific anti-fucosyl GM1 antibody raised in a rabbit caused dose-dependent inhibition of endogenous and thyrotropin (TSH)- or thyroid stimulating antibody-stimulated cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production in cultured FRTL5 rat thyroid cells. Further, the antibody inhibited the cAMP increase induced by prostaglandin E1 and forskolin. However, anti-fucosyl GM1 antibody did not affect the binding of [125I]bovine TSH to solubilized porcine thyroid TSH receptor or to FRTL5 cells. In conclusion, fucosyl GM1 is one of the specific membrane components of thyrocytes and appears to be involved in adenylate cyclase stimulation or cAMP generation. Further, the biological effects of the ganglioside do not seem to be mediated by the TSH receptor, suggesting a post receptor mechanism.

Further studies on the covalent crosslinking of thyrotropin to its receptor: evidence that both the alpha and beta subunits of thyrotropin are crosslinked to the receptor

Highly purified alpha- and beta-subunits of thyrotropin were individually radioiodinated and, subsequently, recombined with their unlabeled complementary subunits. This procedure resulted in the formation of [125I]thyrotropin(TSH) hybrid molecules which were labeled on only one hormone subunit. Characterization of the binding properties of these two hybrid molecules demonstrated that both yielded nonlinear Scatchard plots with Kd and Bmax values similar to those obtained with radioiodinated native TSH and that both were capable of interaction with the high- and low-affinity binding components of the TSH receptor. The recombined [125I]TSH molecules were then crosslinked to the TSH receptor using disuccinimidyl suberate. Following electrophoresis and autoradiography, two labeled TSH-receptor complexes with Mr of 68,000 and 80,000 were observed. These two complexes exhibited hormone specificity and electrophoretic mobility identical to those previously observed using native [125I]TSH. Crosslinking with increasing concentrations of disuccinimidyl suberate suggested that the formation of the 68,000 and 80,000 complexes was sequential with the 68,000 appearing before the 80,000. Furthermore, the two bands were labeled regardless of which TSH subunit of the hybrid TSH was radioiodinated. These data strongly suggest that the 68,000 and 80,000 TSH-receptor complexes are the result of crosslinking to the TSH alpha-beta dimer and not to one subunit in the case of the 68,000 complex and to the TSH alpha-beta dimer in the case of the 80,000 complex, as had been hypothesized previously.

Further characterization of the low and high affinity binding components of the thyrotropin receptor

Following cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate and analysis by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography, both the high- and low-affinity TSH binding components exhibited two similar 125I-TSH-labeled bands, with Mr values of 80,000 and 68,000. IgG fractions from patients with Graves' disease inhibited 125I-TSH binding to both components, while normal IgG had no effect. Although not entirely conclusive, these results suggest that the high- and low-affinity components share similar subunit composition and antigenic determinants.

Covalent crosslinking of thyrotropin to thyroid plasma membrane receptors: subunit composition of the thyrotropin receptor

The subunit composition of the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor has been characterized using the bifunctional crosslinking agent, disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), to covalently link [125I]TSH to its receptor. Purified thyroid membranes were labeled with [125I]TSH, and the hormone-receptor complex was crosslinked by incubation with 0.1 mM DSS. Analysis of this crosslinked complex by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing conditions indicated the presence of a specifically labeled hormone-receptor complex, corresponding to a Mr of 68,000 +/- 3000 before correction for the relative molecular mass of TSH. When reducing agents were absent during SDS solubilization, the mobility of the band increased slightly, suggesting the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds. The labeling of the 68,000 band was specifically inhibited by TSH, but not by other glycoprotein hormones. Specific labeling occurred only in thyroid, and not in liver or muscle plasma membranes. Protease-free immunoglobulin G, isolated from sera of patients with Graves' disease and capable of competing with TSH for binding to its receptor, inhibited the labeling of the 68,000 complex. When the hormone-receptor complex was crosslinked with higher concentrations of DSS (greater than 0.3 mM), a second specifically labeled band was observed, with a Mr of 80,000 +/- 5000. This complex exhibited hormone, tissue, and immunologic specificities similar to those of the 68,000 band. Continuous sucrose density gradient analysis indicated that the intact solubilized receptor possessed a sedimentation coefficient of 10.5 S prior to correction for detergent binding. However, this value increased to 16 S when determined under conditions which took into account the change in hydrodynamic properties attributable to bound Triton X-100. These data suggest that the 80,000 and 68,000 bands represent binding components of the TSH receptor and that the receptor molecule most likely contains multiple subunits, linked by noncovalent forces.

Characterization of the guinea pig adipocyte thyrotropin receptor

125I-TSH binding to porcine thyroid and guinea pig fat resulted in curvilinear Scatchard plots with similar dissociation constants for the high and low affinity binding components. Antibodies from the sera of patients with Graves' disease inhibited binding to the high and low affinity binding components of both tissues. Covalent cross-linking of 125I-TSH to membranes from each tissue resulted in the specific labeling of two protein bands. The guinea pig fat receptor subunits have Mr values of 52,000 and 38,000, whereas the porcine thyroid receptor subunits have values of 46,000 & 35,000. The labeling of the receptor subunits was inhibited by preincubation with Graves' autoantibodies. Despite possessing a different subunit composition, the receptors from these tissues exhibit similar affinity for TSH and share similar antigenic determinants for Graves' autoantibodies.

Heterogeneity of binding of chemotactic formyl peptides to their receptors on rabbit neutrophils: methodological and analytical considerations in the study of complex receptor-binding patterns

The pattern of binding of chemotactic formyl peptides to their receptors on intact rabbit neutrophils was investigated using three different radiolabeled formyl peptides. The purpose of the study was both to establish suitable procedures for the analysis of complex receptor-binding data and to evaluate the heterogeneity of binding of the chemotactic formyl peptides. Radiolabeled formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was found to require repurification by thin-layer chromatography before it was of sufficient purity for use in these studies. All three radioligands were essentially stable during the binding assay. The 'LIGAND' computer program proved suitable for a detailed and rigorous analysis of the binding data. Each of the three formyl peptides showed significant heterogeneity in its binding pattern and all appeared to interact with the same receptor sites. The degree of heterogeneity, however, was greater with formylnorleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine than with the other two formyl peptides. The heterogeneity was close to the theoretical limit of discernibility; thus individual binding studies with one formyl peptide did not always show statistical evidence of the heterogeneity. The study also highlighted the severe uncertainty in estimates of the proportions of each type of binding site when such data are analyzed on the basis of the 'two binding site' model.

Solubilized human thyrotrophin receptors behave as one class of high-affinity binding sites

Evidence is presented justifying the conclusion that, in contrast to the dextran-coated charcoal technique, the widely used technique of separating bound and free TSH with polyethylene glycol is inadequate and yields inaccurate results. Optimum values for the concentration of Triton X-100, pH, salts, temperature and time of incubation were established for the TSH-TSH receptor interaction. According to Scatchard analysis, soluble TSH receptors behaved as one class of binding sites. The affinity constant for this class of binding sites (Ka 1.3 X 10(9) M-1) is identical to that for the high-affinity binding sites found in human thyroid membranes (Ka 1.2 X 10(9) M-1). No low-affinity binding sites could be detected after solubilization of membrane receptors. Chromatography experiments on Sepharose CL-6B indicated that, in excess TSH, each micelle containing TSH receptors (molecular weight 150 000) binds 4 [125I]TSH molecules. These data, together with the absence of low-affinity binding sites, led to the hypothesis that high-affinity TSH binding sites may be formed by the clustering of 4 low-affinity binding sites. Cross-reactivity experiments showed that both alpha- and beta-subunits are involved in the binding of TSH to its receptor; the TSH beta-subunit showed an increased cross-reactivity with soluble receptors.

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity of human thyroid membranes by gangliosides

Gangliosides inhibit basal, thyrotropin-induced and fluoride-induced adenylate cyclase activity of human thyroid membranes in physiological conditions. In contrast neutral glycolipids, phospholipids and neuraminic acid containing oligosaccharides show no effect. The efficacy of inhibition is more dependent upon the position of the sialic acid residues than upon their absolute number. In general gangliosides with disialyl groups are more inhibitory than those with single sialyl moieties. The inhibitory effects of the individual gangliosides on the two modes of stimulation are parallel. This parallelism suggests that the inhibitory effect is located at the postreceptor level and that the gangliosides interact directly with the adenylate cyclase system. A possible role of thyroid membrane gangliosides as suppressive cofactors of adenylate cyclase is discussed in relation to recent findings of stimulating anti-ganglioside antibodies in Graves' disease.

Resolution of radioiodinated thyrotropin into receptor active and inactive components by column chromatography

Following radioiodination by the lactoperoxidase method and subsequent purification on Sephadex G100, it was found that [125I]TSH exhibited varying degrees of binding activities to the thyrotropin receptor. In order to further purify the radiolabeled hormone, the [125I]TSH preparation was chromatographed on Sepharose 6B. Two peaks of radioactive material (Peaks I and II) were recovered, containing approx. 60% of the applied radioactivity. Upon elution with Mg2+, the remainder of the radiolabeled material was recovered as a single peak (Peak III). Characterization of these 3 peaks by radioimmunoassay demonstrated that all 3 were immunocompetent, although Peaks I and III were 3-4-fold more immunoreactive than Peak II. Analysis by radioreceptor assay indicated that Peak III showed an increase in receptor-binding capacity (in comparison with the [125I]TSH preparation purified by Sephadex G100 alone), while both Peaks I and II exhibited significantly reduced binding activity. In contrast, human TSH (NIH) chromatographed mainly as a receptor inactive peak, although it was fully immunocompetent. Scatchard analysis of receptor binding to bovine [125I]TSH from Peak III yielded a curvilinear plot with affinities similar to those we have previously reported for [125I]TSH purified by Sephadex G100 chromatography. The total number of binding sites, however, increased proportionally with the active fraction of the [125I]TSH preparation. Since the mass of bound hormone is calculated from the percent bound of total radioactivity and only a fraction of the measured total participates in the binding, it is therefore necessary to correct for the inactive fraction when calculating the total receptor number.

Thyrotropin binding to porcine thyroid plasma membranes: kinetic and thermodynamic analyses

Evaluation of TSH binding to plasma membranes of porcine thyroid revealed unique sensitivity to pH and temperature. Analysis of apparent equilibrium binding yielded a linear Scatchard plot at the optimal pH of 6.0, indicating one class of binding sites. At physiological pH 7.4 a curvilinear Scatchard plot was obtained, resolved by computer analysis into two classes of binding sites of different affinities and capacities. Treatment of membranes with phospholipase C resulted in a 20% decrease in the number of high affinity sites, but no change occurred in binding affinity. In contrast, low affinity sites were not altered. To evaluate the significance of the curvilinear Scatchard plot, the kinetics of association were examined. The intrinsic Kd (kd/ka) was 0.20 nM, a value essentially equivalent to that of the high affinity binding component. The 'negative cooperativity' model of hormone binding was evaluated by examining the effect of excess unlabeled TSH on dissociation rate. Dissociation of bound 125I-labeled TSH was biphasic, and was enhanced by unlabeled hormone, regardless of whether the membranes were prelabeled at pH 6.0 or 7.4. This effect was not correlated with curvilinear Scatchard plots, and therefore not proof of negative cooperativity. Binding sites for TSH were further distinguished by their sensitivity to temperature. A van't Hoff plot of temperature dependence of the apparent Kd of the high affinity site was linear from 4 to 37 degrees C. In contrast, the apparent Kd of low affinity binding did not vary with respect to temperature. These results demonstrate that there are at least two independent binding sites for TSH on porcine thyroid plasma membranes, distinguishable by their equilibrium binding properties.

High affinity binding sites on plasma membrane obtained from the lymphoblastoid cultured 1301 cell line for highly radioactive serum thymic factor

The interaction of the synthetic serum thymic factor (FTS, facteur thymique sérique) with a plasma membrane preparation of human T lymphocytes from the lymphoblastoid T cell line 1301 was studied using 3H-labelled FTS (specific activity 120 Ci/mmol). The binding is temperature dependent and function of the concentration of both 3H-labelled FTS and membrane proteins. At 37 degrees C, using 1 nM of 3H-labelled FTS as steady state is observed within 80 min. The binding is reversible, specific and saturable. Scatchard analysis reveals the existence of at least two binding sites with respective Kd of the order of 0.516 +/- 0.2 nM and 110 +/- 27.8 nM with concentration of 0.186 +/- 0.045 pmol and 2.026 +/- 0.367 pmol per mg of membrane protein.

The effects of neuraminidase and gangliosides on ovarian LH/hCG receptors during rat development

Ovaries of neonatal rats are not endowed with specific LH/hCG receptors up to 6-8 days of age. Treatment of ovarian membranes of the neonatal rat with neuraminidase results in a specific binding of radioactively labeled hCG, while an increase of hormone binding is observed after neuraminidase treatment of ovarian membranes of the 21-day-old rat. These changes in hormone receptor sites in the ovary are dependent on the neuraminidase concentration used and are due to a receptor with a dissociation constant (KD) of about 10(-9) M. The KD of the receptor in the LH/hCG sensitive ovary without neuraminidase treatment is about 10(-10) M. These results indicate the presence of two different LH/hCG receptors in the ovarian membrane. The unmasking effect of neuraminidase onto LH/hCG receptors indicate that ganglioside-like structures are responsible for the masking of receptors in the neonatal, insensitive rat ovary and also in the 21-day-old sensitive ovary. Ganglioside preparations are able to inhibit the binding, and the fractionation of ovary gangliosides results in a fraction with a rather high inhibition potency of LH/hCG binding to the receptor. It is hypothesized that the masked receptor in the sensitive period represent a store of receptors for the reconstitution of the ovarian cells with active receptors after internalization of the hormone-receptor complex. Thus the masking of the receptors in the early postnatal rat ovary could be a prerequisite for the female differentiation of hypothalamic centers. The observed neuraminidase effect in vitro could reflect a physiologic situation. Neuraminidase was found in the ovary, and during early postnatal development the neuraminidase activity pattern coincides with that of the ovarian LH/hCG receptor changes.

Dissociation kinetics of the thyrotropin-receptor complex. Characterization of a slowly dissociable component

The kinetics of the dissociation of thyrotropin (TSH) from human thyroid plasma membranes were studied in an attempt to further understand the molecular dynamics of the TSH--receptor interaction. Dissociation of bound [125I]TSH from thyroid plasma membranes was a biphasic process consisting of rapidly and slowly dissociable components, RDC and SDC, respectively. The dilution induced dissociation of bound [125I]TSH was enhanced by the addition of excess TSH (DEC). DEC was proportional to the dose of unlabeled TSH and its magnitude increased linearly with temperature. These results are in contrast to those reported for the kinetics of [125I]insulin dissociation. The functional significance of DEC remains largely unexplained. It was found that the fraction of SDC was dependent upon time of association in a temperature-dependent and apparently saturable process. It could not be attributed to alterations in the electrophoretic, immunologic or binding properties of [125I]TSH. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between generation of SDC and change in the Scatchard profile of TSH binding, in contrast to studies on growth hormone. These data suggest that, like some other polypeptide hormones, binding of TSH to its receptor does not proceed according to laws describing simple, rapidly reversible, bimolecular reactions. Furthermore, bound TSH undergoes a receptor-mediated conversion from a rapidly to a slowly dissociable state with time of incubation.