Thyroid hormones stabilize acetylcholinesterase mRNA in neuro-2A cells that overexpress the beta 1 thyroid receptor

Thyroid Hormone Neuroprotection Against Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid Cholinergic and Glutamatergic Disruption and Neurodegeneration Induction

Background: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a widely used industrial chemical, was reported to induce memory and learning process dysfunction. Some studies tried to reveal the mechanisms that mediate these effects, but how they are produced is still unknown. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) maintain cognitive function and their selective neurodegeneration induces cognitive decline, as observed in Alzheimer's disease. PFOS was reported to disrupt cholinergic and glutamatergic transmissions and thyroid hormone action, which regulate cognitive processes and maintain BFCN viability. Objective/Methods: To evaluate PFOS neurodegenerative effects on BFCN and the mechanisms that mediate them, SN56 cells (a neuroblastoma cholinergic cell line from the basal forebrain) were treated with PFOS (0.1 µM to 40 µM) with or without thyroxine (T3; 15 nM), MK-801 (20 µM) or acetylcholine (ACh; 10 µM). Results: In the present study, we found that PFOS treatment (1 or 14 days) decreased thyroid receptor α (TRα) activity by decreasing its protein levels and increased T3 metabolism through increased deiodinase 3 (D3) levels. Further, we observed that PFOS treatment disrupted cholinergic transmission by decreasing ACh content through decreased choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and protein levels and through decreasing muscarinic receptor 1 (M1R) binding and protein levels. PFOS also disrupted glutamatergic transmission by decreasing glutamate content through increased glutaminase activity and protein levels and through decreasing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1); effects mediated through M1R disruption. All these effects were mediated through decreased T3 activity and T3 supplementation partially restored to the normal state. Conclusions: These findings may assist in understanding how PFOS induces neurodegeneration, and the mechanisms involved, especially in BFCN, to explain the process that could lead to cognitive dysfunction and provide new therapeutic tools to treat and prevent its neurotoxic effects.

Defining components of early thyroid hormone signalling through temperature-mediated activation of molecular memory in cultured Rana [lithobates] catesbeiana tadpole back skin

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential signalling molecules for the postembryonic development of all vertebrates. THs are necessary for the metamorphosis from tadpole to froglet and exogenous TH administration precociously induces metamorphosis. In American bullfrog (Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana) tadpoles, the TH-induced metamorphosis observed at a warm temperature (24 °C) is arrested at a cold temperature (4 °C) even in the presence of exogenous THs. However, when TH-exposed tadpoles are shifted from cold to warm temperatures (4 → 24 °C), they undergo TH-dependent metamorphosis at an accelerated rate even when the initial TH signal is no longer present. Thus, they possess a "molecular memory" of TH exposure that establishes the TH-induced response program at the cold temperature and prompts accelerated metamorphosis after a shift to a warmer temperature. The components of the molecular memory that allow the uncoupling of initiation from the execution of the metamorphic program are not understood. To investigate this, we used cultured tadpole back skin (C-Skin) in a repeated measures experiment under 24 °C only, 4 °C only, and 4 → 24 °C temperature shifted regimes and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses. RNA-seq identified 570, 44, and 890 transcripts, respectively, that were significantly changed by TH treatment. These included transcripts encoding transcription factors and proteins involved in mRNA structure and stability. Notably, transcripts associated with molecular memory do not overlap with those identified previously in cultured tail fin (C-fin) except for TH-induced basic leucine zipper-containing protein (thibz) suggesting that thibz may have a central role in molecular memory that works with tissue-specific factors to establish TH-induced gene expression programs.

Local Thyroid Hormone Action in Brain Development

Proper brain development essentially depends on the timed availability of sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone (TH). This, in turn, necessitates a tightly regulated expression of TH signaling components such as TH transporters, deiodinases, and TH receptors in a brain region- and cell-specific manner from early developmental stages onwards. Abnormal TH levels during critical stages, as well as mutations in TH signaling components that alter the global and/or local thyroidal state, result in detrimental consequences for brain development and neurological functions that involve alterations in central neurotransmitter systems. Thus, the question as to how TH signaling is implicated in the development and maturation of different neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems has gained increasing attention. In this review, we first summarize the current knowledge on the regulation of TH signaling components during brain development. We then present recent advances in our understanding on how altered TH signaling compromises the development of cortical glutamatergic neurons, inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. Thereby, we highlight novel mechanistic insights and point out open questions in this evolving research field.

Uncovering early thyroid hormone signalling events through temperature-mediated activation of molecular memory in the cultured bullfrog tadpole tail fin

Thyroid hormone (TH) is a critical signalling molecule for all vertebrate organisms, playing a crucial role in postembryonic development. The best-studied mechanism of TH response is through modulating gene expression, however TH's involvement in coordinating the early steps in the TH signal transduction pathway is still poorly understood. The American bullfrog, Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana, is a useful model to study these early responses as tadpole post-embryonic development in the form of metamorphosis of the tadpole into a frog can be experimentally induced by TH exposure. The rate of TH-induced metamorphosis can be modulated by temperature where sufficiently cold temperatures (5 °C) completely halt precocious metamorphosis. Interestingly, when premetamorphic tadpoles exposed to exogenous THs at 5 °C are shifted to permissive temperatures (24 °C), their metamorphic rate exceeds that of TH-exposed tadpoles at the permissive temperature. This suggests that a molecular memory of TH exposure is retained at 5 °C even after THs are cleared at this low temperature. However, the molecular memory machinery is poorly understood. Herein we use RNA-seq analysis to identify potential components of the molecular memory in cultured tail fin that allows for the recapitulation of the molecular memory phenomenon. Eighty-one gene transcripts were TH-responsive at 5 °C compared to matched controls indicating that the molecular memory is more complex than previously thought. Many of these transcripts encode transcription factors including thyroid hormone-induced B/Zip, thibz, and a novel krüppel-like factor family member, klfX. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide treatment had no effect on their TH induction suggesting that a change in transcription or translation is not required. Rather a change in RNA stability may be a possible mechanism contributing to the molecular memory. The ability to manipulate temperature and TH response in cultured organs provide an exciting opportunity to further elucidate the early TH signalling mechanisms during postembryonic development.

Thyroid hormone, gene expression, and Central Nervous System: Where we are

Thyroid hormones (TH; T3 and T4) play a fundamental role in the fetal stage to the adult phase, controlling gene and protein expression in virtually all tissues. The endocrine and CNS systems have relevant interaction, and the TH are pivotal for the proper functioning of the CNS. A slight failure to regulate TH availability during pregnancy and/or childhood can lead to neurological disorders, for example, autism and cognitive impairment, or depression. In this review, we highlight how TH acts in controlling gene expression, its role in the CNS, and what substances widely found in the environment can cause in this tissue. We highlight the role of Endocrine Disruptors used on an everyday basis in the processing of mRNAs responsible for neurodevelopment. We conclude that TH, more precisely T3, acts mainly throughout its nuclear receptors, that the deficiency of this hormone, either due to the lack of its main substrate iodine, or by to incorrect organification of T4 and T3 in the gland, or by a mutation in transporters, receptors and deiodinases may cause mild (dysregulated mood in adulthood) to severe neurological impairment (Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, presented as early as childhood); T3 is responsible for the expression of numerous CNS genes related to oxygen transport, growth factors, myelination, cell maturation. Substances present in the environment and widely used can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland, the action of TH, and the functioning of the CNS.

Effects of triclosan on early development of Solea senegalensis: from biochemical to individual level

Harmful effects of triclosan (TCS) have been reported on several organisms; however, effects on early life stages of marine vertebrates are limited. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the effects of TCS during early development of the flatfish Solea senegalensis after initial characterization of cholinesterases (ChEs) and determination of selected biochemical markers baseline levels. Characterization of ChEs and determination of biochemical markers baseline levels of cholinergic activity, energy metabolism and oxidative stress were analysed in sole at 3 days after hatching (dah) and at the onset and end of metamorphosis. To assess TCS effects, fish were exposed during 96h to 30-500 μg L^-1 TCS until 3 dah. Fish at 13 dah were exposed during 48h to 200-1,500 μg L^-1 TCS and maintained until complete metamorphosis. Effects on survival, malformations, length, metamorphosis progression and biochemical markers were evaluated. The main ChE active form present in sole early life stages is acetylcholinesterase and baseline levels of oxidative stress and energy metabolism biomarkers changed according to fish developmental stage. Triclosan induced malformations (EC₅₀ = 180 μg L^-1 at 3 dah), decreased growth (95 μg L^-1 at 3 dah; 548 μg L^-1 at 24 dah) and affected metamorphosis progression (391 μg L^-1 at 17 dah). Impairment of antioxidant system was observed, with TCS affecting catalase at the end of metamorphosis test, however, no oxidative damage on lipids was detected. Glutathione S-transferase was the most sensitive endpoint during early larval test (LOEC = 30 μg L^-1). Exposure to TCS affected S. senegalensis at individual and sub-individual levels, both at early larval stage and during the critical period of metamorphosis.

Effects of UV filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor during early development of Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858

The inclusion of organic UV filters in personal care products (PCPs) has increased in recent years. 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC) is one of the most used UV filters, and thus it is commonly found in aquatic ecosystems, with proved negative effects on aquatic organisms. Effects on early life stages of marine vertebrates are largely unknown. Therefore, the main goal of this work was to evaluate 4MBC effects on Senegalese sole (Solea Senegalensis Kaup, 1858) larvae at different levels of biological organization. S. senegalensis were exposed to increasing concentrations of 4MBC from egg stage until 96 h. Mortality, growth, malformations, behaviour and biochemical responses, including enzymatic biomarkers were studied. The exposure to 4MBC until 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) induced mortality and malformations in a dose-response manner. Besides, reduced growth with increasing concentrations was observed. The exposure to 4MBC also caused alterations on behaviour, including overall lower swimming time during light and dark periods. Biomarker alterations caused by 4MBC included imbalance of neurotransmission related endpoints (increased acetylcholinesterase activity) and decreased activity of enzymes related to anaerobic metabolism (lower cellular lactate dehydrogenase activity) at the lower concentrations tested. Furthermore, our results suggest that 4MBC do not induce oxidative stress in S. senegalensis larvae, since catalase and lipid peroxidation levels were not significantly altered by 4MBC. S. senegalensis revealed to be a good model species for vertebrate animal testing in the marine environment. Sub-lethal concentrations of 4MBC induced toxic effects at all organizational levels. Swimming behaviour was a sensitive endpoint and showed that exposure to 4MBC causes impairment on response to light stimulus which is possibly linked with the observed imbalances on cholinesterase activity in larvae. Conservation concerns along distribution range of S. senegalensis should consider that increasing levels of UV filters in marine environment might have impact on the ecology of the species.

The Content of Thyroid Hormone Receptor α in Ewe Kisspeptin Neurones is not Season-Dependent

Seasonal reproduction is grounded in several mechanisms, among which are plasticity in both hormone synthesis and neuronal networks. Increased daylength on long days (LD) translates into local tri-iodothyronin (T3) production in the mediobasal hypothalamus that will enable the transition to the anoestrus season in sheep. The photoperiod also strongly affects the content of kisspeptin (Kiss), a hypothalamic neuropeptide exerting a potent stimulatory effect on gonadotrophin-releasing hormone release. Our hypothesis was that T3 directly inhibits Kiss release during LD. Using double immunocytochemistry, we first searched for coexpression of thyroid hormone receptor (THR)α in Kiss neurones in ewes with an active or inactive gonadotrophic axis. In both the preoptic area and the arcuate nucleus, most Kiss neurones were labelled by THR antibody under both physiological/photoperiodic conditions. These results suggest thyroid hormones may affect Kiss synthesis and release all through the year. We then attempted to assess the influence of T3 on Kiss content in hypothalamic explants sampled from ewes with an active gonadotrophic axis. Kiss produced by hypothalamic explants cultured with different doses of T3 (300 or 600 pg) and subjected to different times of incubation (2 or 24 h) was measured. No significant effects of T3 on Kiss tissular content were observed for the two doses of T3 and for the two incubation times. In light of these findings, potential reasons for the divergent effects of thyroid hormones on Kiss content are discussed. Our data emphasise that the effects of thyroid hormone on Kiss synthesis are not one-sided and may affect a wide range of functions.

Carbendazim exposure induces developmental, biochemical and behavioural disturbance in zebrafish embryos

Carbendazim is a widely used broad spectrum benzimidazole fungicide; however, its effects to non-target aquatic organisms are poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of carbendazim to zebrafish early life stages at several levels of biological organization, including developmental, biochemical and behavioural levels. The embryo assay was done following the OECD guideline 236 and using a concentration range between 1.1 and 1.8mg/L. Lethal and developmental endpoints such as hatching, edemas, malformations, heart beat rate, body growth and delays were assessed in a 96h exposure. A sub-teratogenic range (from 0.16 to 500μg/L) was then used to assess effects at biochemical and behavioural levels. Biochemical markers included cholinesterase (ChE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and catalase (CAT) and were assessed at 96h. The locomotor behaviour was assessed using an automated video tracking system at 120h. Carbendazim (96h-LC50 of 1.75mg/L) elicited several developmental anomalies in zebrafish embryos with EC50 values ranging from 0.85 to 1.6mg/L. ChE, GST and LDH activities were increased at concentrations equal or above 4μg/L. The locomotor assay showed to be extremely sensitive, detecting effects in time that larvae spent swimming at concentrations of 0.16μg/L and thus, being several orders of magnitude more sensitive that developmental parameters or lethality. These are ecological relevant concentrations and highlight the potential of behavioural endpoints as early warning signs for environmental stress. Further studies should focus on understanding how the behavioural disturbances measured in these types of studies translate into fitness impairment at the adult stage.

Trans-acting factors governing acetylcholinesterase mRNA metabolism in neurons

The most characterized function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is to terminate cholinergic signaling at neuron-neuron and neuro-muscular synapses. In addition, AChE is causally or casually implicated in neuronal development, stress-response, cognition, and neurodegenerative diseases. Given the importance of AChE, many studies have focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that govern its expression. Despite these efforts, post-transcriptional control of AChE mRNA expression is still relatively unclear. Here, we review the trans-acting factors and cis-acting elements that are known to control AChE pre-mRNA splicing, mature mRNA stability and translation. Moreover, since the Hu/ELAV family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have emerged in recent years as “master” post-transcriptional regulators, we discuss the possibility that predominantly neuronal ELAVs (nELAVs) play multiple roles in regulating splicing, stability, localization, and translation of AChE mRNA.

Early thyroid hormone-induced gene expression changes in N2a-β neuroblastoma cells

Thyroid hormone has long been known to regulate neural development. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy and early postnatal period has severe neurological consequences including even mental retardation. The purpose of this study was to characterize gene expression pattern during thyroid hormone-induced differentiation of neuro-2a β cells in order to select "direct response genes" for further analysis. In this neuroblastoma cell line, thyroid hormone blocks proliferation and induces differentiation. Changes in gene expression level were examined after a T3 treatment of 3 and 24 h using cDNA arrays. Sixteen genes were significantly up-regulated and 79 down-regulated by T3 treatment. Five up-regulated genes not previously described as regulated by thyroid hormone and selected for their putative significance to understand T3 action on cell differentiation, were verified by RT-PCR analysis. The transcription factors Phox2a and basic helix-loop-helix domain containing, class B2 mRNAs exhibited a clear increase after 3- and 24-h treatment. The guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RalGDS was greatly up-regulated after 3-h treatment but not 24 h after. The results suggest an early involvement of these genes in T3 action during neuroblastoma cell differentiation probably mediating later changes in gene expression pattern.

Molecular aspects of thyroid hormone actions

Cellular actions of thyroid hormone may be initiated within the cell nucleus, at the plasma membrane, in cytoplasm, and at the mitochondrion. Thyroid hormone nuclear receptors (TRs) mediate the biological activities of T(3) via transcriptional regulation. Two TR genes, alpha and beta, encode four T(3)-binding receptor isoforms (alpha1, beta1, beta2, and beta3). The transcriptional activity of TRs is regulated at multiple levels. Besides being regulated by T(3), transcriptional activity is regulated by the type of thyroid hormone response elements located on the promoters of T(3) target genes, by the developmental- and tissue-dependent expression of TR isoforms, and by a host of nuclear coregulatory proteins. These nuclear coregulatory proteins modulate the transcription activity of TRs in a T(3)-dependent manner. In the absence of T(3), corepressors act to repress the basal transcriptional activity, whereas in the presence of T(3), coactivators function to activate transcription. The critical role of TRs is evident in that mutations of the TRbeta gene cause resistance to thyroid hormones to exhibit an array of symptoms due to decreasing the sensitivity of target tissues to T(3). Genetically engineered knockin mouse models also reveal that mutations of the TRs could lead to other abnormalities beyond resistance to thyroid hormones, including thyroid cancer, pituitary tumors, dwarfism, and metabolic abnormalities. Thus, the deleterious effects of mutations of TRs are more severe than previously envisioned. These genetic-engineered mouse models provide valuable tools to ascertain further the molecular actions of unliganded TRs in vivo that could underlie the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism. Actions of thyroid hormone that are not initiated by liganding of the hormone to intranuclear TR are termed nongenomic. They may begin at the plasma membrane or in cytoplasm. Plasma membrane-initiated actions begin at a receptor on integrin alphavbeta3 that activates ERK1/2 and culminate in local membrane actions on ion transport systems, such as the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, or complex cellular events such as cell proliferation. Concentration of the integrin on cells of the vasculature and on tumor cells explains recently described proangiogenic effects of iodothyronines and proliferative actions of thyroid hormone on certain cancer cells, including gliomas. Thus, hormonal events that begin nongenomically result in effects in DNA-dependent effects. l-T(4) is an agonist at the plasma membrane without conversion to T(3). Tetraiodothyroacetic acid is a T(4) analog that inhibits the actions of T(4) and T(3) at the integrin, including angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. T(3) can activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by a mechanism that may be cytoplasmic in origin or may begin at integrin alphavbeta3. Downstream consequences of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation by T(3) include specific gene transcription and insertion of Na, K-ATPase in the plasma membrane and modulation of the activity of the ATPase. Thyroid hormone, chiefly T(3) and diiodothyronine, has important effects on mitochondrial energetics and on the cytoskeleton. Modulation by the hormone of the basal proton leak in mitochondria accounts for heat production caused by iodothyronines and a substantial component of cellular oxygen consumption. Thyroid hormone also acts on the mitochondrial genome via imported isoforms of nuclear TRs to affect several mitochondrial transcription factors. Regulation of actin polymerization by T(4) and rT(3), but not T(3), is critical to cell migration. This effect has been prominently demonstrated in neurons and glial cells and is important to brain development. The actin-related effects in neurons include fostering neurite outgrowth. A truncated TRalpha1 isoform that resides in the extranuclear compartment mediates the action of thyroid hormone on the cytoskeleton.

Translational implications of nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone initiated at its integrin receptor

A thyroid hormone receptor on integrin alphavbeta3 that mediates cell surface-initiated nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone on tumor cell proliferation and on angiogenesis has been described. Transduction of the hormone signal into these recently recognized proliferative effects is by extracellular-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Other nongenomic actions of the hormone may be transduced by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and are initiated in cytoplasm or at the cell surface. PI3K-mediated effects are important to angiogenesis or other recently appreciated cell functions but apparently not to tumor cell division. For those actions of thyroid hormone [L-thyroxine (T(4)) and 3,3'-5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T(3))] that begin at the integrin receptor, tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) is an inhibitor of and probe for the participation of the receptor in downstream intracellular events. In addition, tetrac has actions initiated at the integrin receptor that are unrelated to inhibition of the effects of T(4) and T(3) but do involve gene transcription in tumor cells. Discussed here are the implications of translating these nongenomic mechanisms of thyroid hormone analogs into clinical cancer cell biology, tumor-related angiogenesis, and modulation of angiogenesis that is not related to cancer.

Cardiovascular effects of peroxynitrite

1. Peroxynitrite (PN) is formed in biological systems from the reaction of nitric oxide (*NO) with superoxide (O2(-)*) and both exist as free radicals. By itself, PN is not a free radical, but it can generate nitrogen dioxide (*NO2) and carbonate radical (CO3(-)*) upon reaction with CO2. 2. The reaction of CO2 constitutes a major pathway for the disposition of PN produced in vivo and this is based on the rapid reaction of PN anion with CO2 and the availability of CO2 in both intra- and extracellular fluids. The free radicals *NO2 and CO3(-)*, in combination with *NO, generated from nitric oxide synthase, can bring about oxidation of critical biological targets resulting in tissue injury. However, the reactions of *NO2, CO3(-)* and *NO with carbohydrates, protein and non-protein thiols, phenols, indoles and uric acid could result in the formation of a number of nitration and nitrosation products in the vasculature. These products serve as long-acting *NO donors and, therefore, contribute to vasorelaxant properties, protective effects on the heart, inhibition of leucocyte-endothelial cell interactions and reduction of reperfusion injury. 3. Herein, we review the chemistry of PN, the observations that the effects of PN could be mediated by formation of an *NO donor-like substance and review the physiological and beneficial effects of PN.

Role of ELAV-like RNA-binding proteins HuD and HuR in the post-transcriptional regulation of acetylcholinesterase in neurons and skeletal muscle cells

Over the last few years, several laboratories have focused their attention on elucidating the molecular events that control the expression and localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in neurons and skeletal muscle cells. In this context, results from a number of studies have clearly shown the important contribution of transcriptional events in regulating AChE expression. Specifically, these studies have highlighted the roles of several cis- and trans-acting factors that control transcription of the AChE gene in these excitable cells. However, it has also become apparent that changes in the transcriptional activity of the AChE gene cannot fully account for the alterations seen in the overall abundance of AChE transcripts in neurons and muscle cells placed under a variety of experimental conditions. This indicates, therefore, that post-transcriptional mechanisms also play a significant role in controlling AChE mRNA expression. With this in mind, we have recently begun to address this issue in greater detail. Here, we provide a summary of our most recent findings dealing with the post-transcriptional regulation of AChE. Together, our studies have shown so far the important contribution of an AU-rich element located in the 3'UTR of AChE transcripts and of the stabilizing RNA-binding proteins of the ELAV-like family in regulating AChE expression in differentiating neuronal and muscle cells.

Neuroserpin is post-transcriptionally regulated by thyroid hormone

Neuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor expressed in the developing and the adult nervous system. Studies with genetically modified mice indicate a role of neuroserpin in the regulation of anxiety. Mutations in the neuroserpin gene cause protein polymerization and formation of inclusion bodies leading to progressive myoclonic epilepsy and neurodegeneration. Here we demonstrate that neuroserpin expression is regulated by thyroid hormone (T3). Neuroserpin RNA levels are down-regulated in cortical layers II/III and VIa, the hippocampus, the retrosplenial cortex and the medial habenular nucleus, but not in cortical layer V or other areas of the hypothyroid rat brain. Concordantly, neuroserpin RNA and protein expression was induced by T3 in rat PC12 cells containing appropriate thyroid hormone receptor levels. In run-on assays T3 did not affect the transcription rate of the neuroserpin gene, indicating that regulation was post-transcriptional. Moreover, T3 increased in vitro binding of cytoplasmic proteins to neuroserpin 3'-UTR RNA and caused biphasic regulation of the stability of this transcript in PC12 cells. Ectopic neuroserpin expression induced neurite extension in PC12 cells and enhanced neuritogenesis triggered by nerve growth factor. In summary, these results indicate that neuroserpin expression is post-transcriptionally regulated by T3 at the level of RNA stability.

Neuronal HuD gene encoding a mRNA stability regulator is transcriptionally repressed by thyroid hormone

Many genes governed by thyroid hormone (T3) lack binding sites for its receptor (TR) and are thought to be post-transcriptionally regulated by T3. Here we demonstrate that the HuD gene, which encodes a neurone-specific protein that binds to mRNA and modulates its stability, is regulated by T3. HuD RNA and protein expression were strongly up-regulated in specific areas of the hypothyroid rat brain, and reduced by T3 in rat PC12 and mouse N2a cells containing appropriate TR levels. Furthermore, T3 inhibited the transcription of HuD in run-on assays. Finally, HuD protein bound with high affinity to two sequences in acetylcholinesterase mRNA, and ectopic HuD expression increased its abundance in N2a cells. This is the first report of a gene encoding an mRNA stability regulator that is under T3 control. The results suggest that HuD may mediate some T3 effects by altering the half-life of mRNAs for acetylcholinesterase and other genes.

Regulation of tau RNA maturation by thyroid hormone is mediated by the neural RNA-binding protein musashi-1

The tau gene encodes a microtubule-associated protein expressed by neuronal and glial cells. Abnormal deposits of Tau protein are characteristic of several neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, mutations affecting tau pre-mRNA alternative splicing of exon 10 are associated with frontotemporal dementia and Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. In rodents, this process is developmentally regulated by thyroid hormone (T3) causing the predominance of exon 10-containing transcripts. Here we demonstrate that musashi-1 (msi-1) gene is induced by T3 during rat brain development and in N2a cells. T3 increases msi-1 mRNA level in an actinomycin D-sensitive, cycloheximide-resistant fashion without affecting its half-life, which suggests a transcriptional effect. Both ectopic Msi-1 expression and T3 treatment increased the proportion of exon 10-containing tau transcripts. Furthermore, antisense msi-1 expression inhibited T3 action. Our results show that msi-1 mediates the posttranscriptional regulation of tau expression by T3.

Comparison of the mechanisms of nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone and steroid hormones

Steroids and thyroid hormone are thought primarily to act via binding to hormone-specific nuclear receptor superfamily members. The nuclear ligand-receptor complexes then initiate transcriptional activity. Actions of steroids and iodothyronines that are nongenomic or extranuclear in mechanism have been recognized recently and new insights into such mechanisms are available. Despite their distinct structures and biologic effects, the two families of hormones have similarities in the mechanisms of their nongenomic actions. That is, both steroids and thyroid hormone appear to interact with specific cell surface G protein-coupled receptors and to activate signal transducing kinases such as those involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Much is known about the ability of certain steroids such as estrogen and mineralocorticoids to increase [Ca2+]i acutely and stimulation of the MAPK cascade by L-T4 appears to depend upon a hormone-induced increase in [Ca2+]i via phosphoinositide pathway activation. At least in the case of iodothyronines, hormone activation of the MAPK pathway modulates the cellular activities of certain cytokines and growth factors. One of the two cell surface estrogen receptors (ERs) may be an expression of the same transcript as that for nuclear ER, whereas the mineralocorticoid and progesterone-binding proteins in the plasma membrane appear to be products of genes different from those of nuclear receptors. Iodothyronine structure-activity relationships at the plasma membrane binding site for thyroid hormone suggest that the cell surface receptor for T4 that also binds 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-T3 is different from the nuclear T3 receptor (TR). There are interfaces of nongenomic and genomic mechanisms for both steroids and thyroid hormone. For example, by nongenomic mechanisms, estrogen and thyroid hormone can promote serine phosphorylation, respectively, of nuclear ER and TR. Transcriptional activity of the nuclear receptor proteins can be altered by such phosphorylation.

Thyroid hormone regulates the expression of alpha-internexin in neurons in culture

Maternal hypothyroidism in the rat compromises alpha-internexin (alpha-IN) expression in early fetal brain. We have therefore examined whether 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) regulates alpha-IN expression in fetal brain neurons in culture. Cells expressed transcripts encoding T3 nuclear receptor isoforms in a T3-independent manner. alpha-IN protein abundance was increased in cultures treated with 0.1 and 1 nM T3 for 20 h (177 and 185% control, respectively) and in cultures treated with 1 nM T3 for 40 h (131% control). alpha-IN transcript abundance was unaffected by T3 treatment. In conclusion, T3 at a physiological level, stimulates alpha-IN protein, but not mRNA, levels in early differentiating neurons in culture. This supports the hypothesis that maternal thyroid hormone directly regulates early neuronal differentiation.

Decreased levels of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) and delayed differentiation in human myotonic dystrophy myoblasts

Muscle cell cultures derived from a myotonic dystrophy (DM1) fetus were established in order to determine on the one hand, whether the differentiation of DM1 myoblasts is altered and, on the other hand, whether the levels of myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) protein is decreased in DM1 muscle cells. DM1 myoblasts isolated from a quadriceps of a 12-weeks old fetus proliferate at a similar rate as normal myoblasts isolated from a quadriceps of an unaffected 15-weeks old fetus but their maturation is altered as shown by the decreased levels in slow myosin heavy chain protein. In contrast, no change was observed in the expression of vimentin, myogenin and embryonic myosin heavy chain. The levels of DMPK transcripts sharply increased during myoblast differentiation and the mutant DMPK transcripts are retained in discrete foci in the nuclei of muscle cells. The levels of 85-kDa DMPK protein was reduced by about 50% in DM1 cells compared with normal cells. Our study demonstrates that delay in DM1 myoblast maturation is associated with nuclear retention of mutant DMPK transcripts and decreased levels of DMPK protein.

An element in the region responsible for premature termination of transcription mediates repression of c-myc gene expression by thyroid hormone in neuroblastoma cells

The thyroid hormone (T3) blocks proliferation and induces differentiation of neuroblastoma N2a-beta cells that express the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) beta1 isoform. c-Myc is required for cell cycle progression, and this study shows that T3-induced neuronal differentiation is preceded by a rapid decrease of c-myc gene expression. A negative T3 responsive element (TRE), arranged as an inverted palindrome spaced by three nucleotides, has been identified within the first exon between nucleotides +237 and +268. The TRE is adjacent to the binding site for the transcriptional repressor CCCTC binding factor and maps precisely within the region of RNA polymerase II pausing and release, suggesting a direct implication of TR on premature termination of transcription. Furthermore, the TRE confers repression by T3 to an heterologous promoter only when inserted downstream of the transcription initiation site. Binding of CCCTC binding factor and TR to their cognate sites in the region of transcriptional attenuation, as well as direct interactions between both factors, could facilitate the formation of a repressor complex and the inhibition of c-myc gene expression. These studies provide insight into mechanisms by which TR mediate transcriptional repression and contribute to the understanding of the important effects of thyroid hormones on growth and differentiation of neuronal cells.

Identification of the mammalian homolog of the splicing regulator Suppressor-of-white-apricot as a thyroid hormone regulated gene

Mammalian brain development is controlled by thyroid hormone through the regulation of target genes. In this study, we describe for the first time that a splicing regulator gene is under thyroid hormone control in the rat brain during the critical period of neuronal differentiation. By differential display, we have identified the mammalian homolog of the Drosophila splicing regulator Suppressor-of-white-apricot (SWAP) as a thyroid hormone-regulated gene in an immortal line of rat neuroblasts, E18 cells. Using Northern blotting and in situ hybridization, we found that expression of SWAP is under thyroid control in the developing rat brain. SWAP gene expression is highest during the first 10 days of life (P0-P10), preferentially in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, subventricular epithelium, piriform cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and caudate putamen. At later stages (P15-P30) SWAP expression decreases, being detectable only in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and layers II/III of cerebral and piriform cortexes. We found that hypothyroidism causes an abnormal high level of SWAP RNA expression at P5-P15 throughout the brain except the cerebellum. Significantly, thyroid hormone treatment in vivo of hypothyroid animals led to a normalization of SWAP RNA expression. Furthermore, similar hormone treatment caused a decrease in SWAP expression in control rats. By modulating the expression of SWAP and perhaps other splicing regulators thyroid hormone may exert wide regulatory effects on multiple genes. The regulation of SWAP gene defines a novel mechanism of action of thyroid hormone which can be important for its effects in the developing brain.

Basic transcription element-binding protein (BTEB) is a thyroid hormone-regulated gene in the developing central nervous system. Evidence for a role in neurite outgrowth

Thyroid hormone (3,5,3'-triiodothyronine; T(3)) is essential for normal development of the vertebrate brain, influencing diverse processes such as neuronal migration, myelin formation, axonal maturation, and dendritic outgrowth. We have identified basic transcription element-binding protein (BTEB), a small GC box-binding protein, as a T(3)-regulated gene in developing rat brain. BTEB mRNA levels in cerebral cortex exhibit developmental regulation and thyroid hormone dependence. T(3) regulation of BTEB mRNA is neural cell-specific, being up-regulated in primary cultures of embryonic neurons (E16) and in neonatal astrocytes (P2), but not in neonatal oligodendrocytes (P2). T(3) rapidly up-regulated BTEB mRNA in neuro-2a cells engineered to express thyroid hormone receptor (TR) beta1 but not in cells expressing TRalpha1, suggesting that the regulation of this gene is specific to the TRbeta1 isoform. Several lines of evidence support a transcriptional action of T(3) on BTEB gene expression. Overexpression of BTEB in Neuro-2a cells dramatically increased the number and length of neurites in a dose-dependent manner suggesting a role for this transcription factor in neuronal process formation. However, other T(3)-dependent changes were not altered; i.e. overexpression of BTEB had no effect on the rate of cell proliferation nor on the expression of acetylcholinesterase activity.

Glucocorticoids differentially control synthesis of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in rat liver and brain

Mammalian organisms possess two cholinesterases: acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7.) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE, EC 3.1.1.8.). A clear explanation for this dual expression of acetylcholine-hydrolyzing enzymes is still missing. Better knowledge on how these two enzymes respond to various physiological or pharmacological factors would importantly contribute to the understanding of their function. The aim of the present study is to elucidate glucocorticoid (GC) influences on the synthesis of AChE and BuChE in rat liver and brain. Female Wistar rats were treated with dexamethasone until body weight loss was greater than 15%, signaling full expression of a GC response. At this stage, liver and brain were isolated and AChE and BuChE activities were determined in their homogenates. A new approach, based on precise radiometric measurements of AChE and BuChE activities in the polysomal fractions, prepared under non-denaturing conditions, was used to study GC influences on the early stages of biosynthesis of both enzymes. We found a differential GC influence on AChE and BuChE. In brain, only BuChE activity was affected (-30%), while AChE remained practically unchanged. In liver, BuChE activity fell by 60%, while AChE lost only 18% of its control activity. In case of BuChE, decreased activities in the whole homogenates correlated with decreased activities in the polysomal fractions, suggesting that early stages of enzyme biosynthesis were primarily affected. On the other hand, decreased AChE activity in liver homogenates was not paralleled by a significant change at the level of polysomal AChE activity in this organ, suggesting that higher AChE turn-over is primarily responsible for the decreased activity in homogenate. These results, together with the GC-mediated elimination of the correlation between brain and liver BuChE activities, strongly support the proposal of Edwards and Brimijoin (J.A. Edwards, S. Brimijoin, Effects of hypophysectomy on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in the rat, Biochem. Pharmacol. 32 (1983) 1183-1189) that BuChE is regulated by systemically acting factors, including various hormones, while regulation of AChE is primarily tissue-specific.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) is involved in thyroid hormone-mediated neuronal differentiation

The thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, T3) is essential for normal brain maturation. To determine the mechanisms by which T3 controls neuronal proliferation and differentiation, we have analyzed the effect of this hormone on the expression and activity of cell cycle-regulating molecules in neuroblastoma N2a-beta cells that overexpress the beta1 isoform of the T3 receptor. Our results show that incubation of N2a-beta cells with T3 leads to a rapid down-regulation of the c-myc gene and to a decrease of cyclin D1 levels. T3 also causes a strong and sustained increase of the levels of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1). This increase is secondary, to the augmented levels of p27(Kip1) transcripts as well as to stabilization of the p27(Kip1) protein. The increased levels of p27(Kip1) lead to a significant increase in the amount of p27(Kip1) associated with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), and to a marked inhibition of the kinase activity of the cyclin.CDK2 complexes. As a consequence, the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and the retinoblastoma protein-related protein p130 are hypophosphorylated in T3-treated N2a-beta cells. This study shows for the first time that T3-mediated growth arrest and neuronal differentiation are associated with an increase in the levels of a cyclin kinase inhibitor, which does not allow the inactivation of retinoblastoma proteins required for progression through the restriction point in the cell cycle.

Posttranscriptional regulation of oligodendroglial thyroid hormone (T3) receptor beta 1 by T3

3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine interacts with the genome by binding and activating nuclear 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptors. To determine how in secondary oligodendrocyte cultures, exogenous 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine influences the expression of different 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor isoforms, we studied the regulation of alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta 1 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor mRNAs. In culture, we find that beta 1, 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor mRNA, but not alpha 1 and alpha 2 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor mRNAs, is up-regulated by 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine in a time and dose dependent manner. In addition, we present evidence indicating that beta 1 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor expression is posttranscriptionally regulated by 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that in the rat oligodendrocyte lineage, 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptors alpha 1 and alpha 2 were expressed in both early progenitor cells and mature oligodendrocytes. In contrast, beta 1 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor was found to be expressed only in mature oligodendrocytes. This suggests that thyroid hormone may influence oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation via 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor beta 1, which is expressed only in oligodendrocytes and not in progenitor cells. We therefore show that this effect is indirect and is mediated by 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine which acts posttranscriptionally on the 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine receptor beta 1 gene.

Oligodendrocyte maturation and progenitor cell proliferation are independently regulated by thyroid hormone

The development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells is regulated by epigenetic factors which control their proliferation and differentiation. When oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, purified on a Percoll centrifugation gradient from neonate rat brain, are cultured in serum-free medium in the presence of platelet-derived-growth factor (PDGF), they divide and their differentiation is delayed. Triiodothyronine (T3) treatment of progenitor cells blocks their proliferation and induces their differentiation into oligodendrocytes. T3 also induces morphological differentiation of oligodendrocytes as indicated by the marked increase in the length of oligodendrocyte processes. To determine whether the effects of T3 on progenitor cell proliferation and oligodendrocyte maturation are causally related, or instead, are independent, we examined the influence of T3 on secondary cultures of postmitotic oligodendrocytes. We show that T3 increases morphological and functional maturation of postmitotic oligodendrocytes as indicated by a well developed network of branched processes and by the expression of myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and glutamine synthetase (GS). T3 increases glutamine synthetase activity and its message level after a lag period of 24-48 h, and these levels increase through a posttranscriptional event. In contrast, no effect of T3 was observed on myelin basic protein (MBP) gene expression as determined by Northern blot analysis. Our results indicate that thyroid hormones participate in the control of the progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation as well as in oligodendrocyte maturation and that these two T3-regulated events are independent.

Nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone

Nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone are by definition independent of nuclear receptors for the hormone and have been described at the plasma membrane, various cell organelles, the cytoskeleton, and in cytoplasm. The actions include alterations in solute transport (Ca2+, Na+, glucose), changes in activities of several kinases, including protein kinase C, cAMP-dependent protein kinase and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), effects on efficiency of specific mRNA translation and mRNA t1/2, modulation of mitochondrial respiration, and regulation of actin polymerization (promotion of formation of F-actin). Iodothyronines also can regulate nongenomically the state of contractile elements in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The physiologic significance at the cellular level of certain of these actions has been demonstrated, for example, in the cases of myocardiocyte Na+ current, red cell Ca2+ content, and the control by hormone-induced alterations in actin solubility of cell surface activity of iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase activity and the intracellular distribution of protein disulfide isomerase activity. The physiologic significance of these actions at the organ or system level is less clear, but extranuclear effects of thyroid hormone on myocardial Na+ channel, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, and contractile state of VSMC may each contribute to acute effects of thyroid hormone on cardiac output that have recently been described clinically. The molecular mechanisms for nongenomic actions are incompletely understood; relevant binding sites and signal transduction pathways have been described for hormone actions on plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, and PKM2 monomer is known to bind T3 and, as a result, prevent activation of the kinase via tetramer formation. Nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone may have different structure-activity relationships of iodothyronines from those effects that depend upon nuclear receptors; they may have different time courses and may invoke complex signal transduction pathways before the action is detected.