PTTG-binding factor (PBF) is a novel regulator of the thyroid hormone transporter MCT8

Within the basolateral membrane of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, two transporter proteins are central to thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis and secretion. The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) delivers iodide from the bloodstream into the thyroid, and after TH biosynthesis, monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) mediates TH secretion from the thyroid gland. Pituitary tumor-transforming gene-binding factor (PBF; PTTG1IP) is a protooncogene that is up-regulated in thyroid cancer and that binds NIS and modulates its subcellular localization and function. We now show that PBF binds MCT8 in vitro, eliciting a marked shift in MCT8 subcellular localization and resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of MCT8 at the plasma membrane as determined by cell surface biotinylation assays. Colocalization and interaction between PBF and Mct8 was also observed in vivo in a mouse model of thyroid-specific PBF overexpression driven by a bovine thyroglobulin (Tg) promoter (PBF-Tg). Thyroidal Mct8 mRNA and protein expression levels were similar to wild-type mice. Critically, however, PBF-Tg mice demonstrated significantly enhanced thyroidal TH accumulation and reduced TH secretion upon TSH stimulation. Importantly, Mct8-knockout mice share this phenotype. These data show that PBF binds and alters the subcellular localization of MCT8 in vitro, with PBF overexpression leading to an accumulation of TH within the thyroid in vivo. Overall, these studies identify PBF as the first protein to interact with the critical TH transporter MCT8 and modulate its function in vivo. Furthermore, alongside NIS repression, PBF may thus represent a new regulator of TH biosynthesis and secretion.

The pituitary tumor transforming gene in thyroid cancer

The pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) is a multifunctional proto-oncogene that is over-expressed in various tumors including thyroid carcinomas, where it is a prognostic indicator of tumor recurrence. PTTG has potent transforming capabilities in vitro and in vivo, and many studies have investigated the potential mechanisms by which PTTG contributes to tumorigenesis. As the human securin, PTTG is involved in critical mechanisms of cell cycle regulation, whereby aberrant expression induces aneuploidy. PTTG may further contribute to tumorigenesis through its role in DNA damage response pathways and via complex interactions with hormones and growth factors. Furthermore, PTTG over-expression negatively impacts upon the efficacy of radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer, through repression of expression and function of the sodium iodide symporter. Given its various roles at all disease stages, PTTG appears to be an important oncogene in thyroid cancer. This review discusses the current knowledge of PTTG with particular focus on its role in thyroid cancer.