Analysis of the roles of mutations in thyroid hormone receptor-β by a bacterial biosensor system

Thyroid hormone resistance: Mechanisms and therapeutic development

As an essential primary hormone, thyroid hormone (TH) is indispensable for human growth, development and metabolism. Impairment of TH function in several aspects, including TH synthesis, activation, transportation and receptor-dependent transactivation, can eventually lead to thyroid hormone resistance syndrome (RTH). RTH is a rare syndrome that manifests as a reduced target cell response to TH signaling. The majority of RTH cases are related to thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) mutations, and only a few RTH cases are associated with thyroid hormone receptor α (TRα) mutations or other causes. Patients with RTH suffer from goiter, mental retardation, short stature and bradycardia or tachycardia. To date, approximately 170 mutated TRβ variants and more than 20 mutated TRα variants at the amino acid level have been reported in RTH patients. In addition to these mutated proteins, some TR isoforms can also reduce TH function by competing with primary TRs for TRE and RXR binding. Fortunately, different treatments for RTH have been explored with structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and drug design, and among these treatments. With thyromimetic potency but biochemical properties that differ from those of primary TH (T3 and T4), these TH analogs can bypass specific defective transporters or reactive mutant TRs. However, these compounds must be carefully applied to avoid over activating TRα, which is associated with more severe heart impairment. The structural mechanisms of mutation-induced RTH in the TR ligand-binding domain are summarized in this review. Furthermore, strategies to overcome this resistance for therapeutic development are also discussed.

Implication of thyroid hormone signaling in neural crest cells migration: Evidence from thyroid hormone receptor beta knockdown and NH3 antagonist studies

Thyroid hormones (TH) have been mainly associated with post-embryonic development and adult homeostasis but few studies report direct experimental evidence for TH function at very early phases of embryogenesis. We assessed the outcome of altered TH signaling on early embryogenesis using the amphibian Xenopus as a model system. Precocious exposure to the TH antagonist NH-3 or impaired thyroid receptor beta function led to severe malformations related to neurocristopathies. These include pathologies with a broad spectrum of organ dysplasias arising from defects in embryonic neural crest cell (NCC) development. We identified a specific temporal window of sensitivity that encompasses the emergence of NCCs. Although the initial steps in NCC ontogenesis appeared unaffected, their migration properties were severely compromised both in vivo and in vitro. Our data describe a role for TH signaling in NCCs migration ability and suggest severe consequences of altered TH signaling during early phases of embryonic development.

Receptor-ligand interactions: Advanced biomedical applications

Receptor-ligand interactions (RLIs) are at the base of all biological events occurring in living cells. The understanding of interactions between complementary macromolecules in biological systems represents a high-priority research area in bionanotechnology to design the artificial systems mimicking natural processes. This review summarizes and analyzes RLIs in some cutting-edge biomedical fields, in particular, for the preparation of novel stationary phases to separate complex biological mixtures in medical diagnostics, for the design of ultrasensitive biosensors for identification of biomarkers of various diseases at early stages, as well as in the development of innovative biomaterials and approaches for regenerative medicine. All these biotechnological fields are closely related, because their success depends on a proper choice, combination and spatial disposition of the single components of ligand-receptor pairs on the surface of appropriately designed support.

Maternal Hypothyroxinemia-Induced Neurodevelopmental Impairments in the Progeny

Maternal hypothyroxinemia can induce neurodevelopmental impairments in the developing fetus. We here review recent studies on the epidemiology and molecular mechanisms associated with this important public health issue. In 2011, the American Thyroid Association defined maternal hypothyroxinemia as low serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels (<5th or <10th percentile) existing in conjunction with normal serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels during pregnancy. Compared to clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia is more commonly found in pregnant women. Hypothyroxinemia usually ensues in response to several factors, such as mild iodine deficiency, environmental endocrine disrupters, or certain thyroid diseases. Unequivocal evidence demonstrates that maternal hypothyroxinemia leads to negative effects on fetal brain development, increasing the risks for cognitive deficits and poor psychomotor development in resulting progeny. In support of this, rodent models provide direct evidence of neurodevelopmental damage induced by maternal hypothyroxinemia, including dendritic and axonal growth limitation, neural abnormal location, and synaptic function alteration. The neurodevelopmental impairments induced by hypothyroxinemia suggest an independent role of T4. Increasing evidence indicates that adequate thyroxine is required for the mothers in order to protect against the abnormal brain development in their progeny.