Binding of thyroid hormones to nuclear extracts of thyroid cells

Binding of T3 and T4 to soluble nuclear extracts of FRTL-5 cells, rabbit thyroid glands, and rat liver was studied. [125I]Iodo-T3 or [125I]iodo-T4 in concentration ranges of 100-fold (10-fold on each side of measured Kd) was incubated with extract at 4 C, pH 8.2, and the quantity of bound hormone was determined by collection on nitrocellulose filters. The results were corrected for nonspecific binding. Steady state (equilibrium) binding was achieved by 36 h. Apparent dissociation constants (Kd) were determined from Scatchard analysis of data pertaining to extent of binding at 36 h as a function of hormone concentration and were also calculated from kinetics of binding as the ratio of rate constants. A single class of saturable, high affinity hormone-binding sites was found. Kd values for T3 and nuclear extracts of FRTL-5 cells, rabbit thyroid gland, and rat liver were, respectively, 3.9 X 10(-11) M, 2.8 X 10(-11) M, and 4.3 X 10(-11) M from Scatchard analysis; when calculated from kinetics of hormone association, the value was 3.6 X 10(-11) M for both FRTL-5 cell and rat hepatic nuclear extract. No analysis of the time course of binding of T3 to rabbit thyroid nuclear extract was made. Kd values for T4 and FRTL-5 cell extract were 6.2 X 10(-10) M from Scatchard analysis and 5.0 X 10(-10)M from kinetic data. Half-times (t1/2) of dissociation of T3 from FRTL-5 cell and rat liver nuclear extract, calculated from association curves, were 7 and 5 h, respectively, while corresponding values determined directly and experimentally were 10.5 and 13 h. For T4 and FRTL-5 cell extract, the t1/2 of dissociation calculated from kinetics of association was 5 h; no direct experimental determination of the value was made. Numbers of T3-binding sites of FRTL-5 cell, rabbit thyroid gland, and rat liver nuclear extracts were, respectively, 71 X 10(-15), 62 X 10(-15), and 208 X 10(-15) mol/mg protein. For T4 and FRTL-5 cell extract, the value was 70 X 10(-15) mol/mg protein. The data indicate that the reaction of T3 and T4 with the various nuclear extracts can be described as reversible and bimolecular. The presence in thyroid cells of thyroid hormone nuclear binding sites suggests that they may be receptors that mediate cellular actions of these hormones within the gland itself.     

Insulin binding and biological activities in the FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell line

A cloned rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5) was examined for both insulin binding and responsiveness. The characteristics of insulin binding to thyroid cells were similar to those observed in typical insulin target cells. The 125I-insulin binding was time and temperature dependent and Scatchard analysis suggested the presence of two major binding sites with high and low affinity constant (Kd = 1.4 X 10(-10) mol/L and 1.5 X 10(-9) mol/L, respectively). 125I-insulin was also internalized and degraded in a temperature-dependent manner. IGF1 was weakly effective in completing 125I-insulin binding to FRTL-5 cells (57% inhibition at 333 nmol/L), whereas noninsulin-related peptide hormones were ineffective. Exposure of FRTL-5 cells to insulin stimulated both methyl-aminoisobutyric acid (M-AIB) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) transport. These effects were evident at 10(-9) mol/L and maximal at 10(-7) mol/L insulin. Maximal stimulation was three- to four-fold over basal value for both M-AIB and 2DG transport. These data suggest that insulin specifically binds to FRTL-5 cells and regulates different biological functions of this thyroid cell line.     

Characterization of thyroid hormone receptors in human IM-9 lymphocytes

Although putatively identified more than 10 years ago, thyroid hormone receptors in human tissues remain poorly characterized. As a first step towards understanding the mechanism of thyroid hormone action in man we have characterized T3 binding sites in nuclei of the human lymphoblastoid line, IM-9 cells. In whole cell experiments at 37 degrees C, nuclear binding of [125I]T3 was saturable (Kd 34 +/- 6 pmol/l) and of finite capacity (approximately equal to 350 sites/cell). The binding sites were extracted from a nuclear pellet by treatment with 0.4 mol/l KCl and sonication. Separation of bound from free [125I]T3 in the extracts was achieved using the calcium phosphate matrix, hydroxyapatite at a concentration of 0.3 ml of a 150 g/l slurry. Rectilinear Scatchard plots were obtained only when the hydroxyapatite was washed with a buffer containing 0.5% Triton X-100. Under these conditions T3 binding sites in the nuclear extracts were present at a concentration of 22.4 +/- 8.6 fmol/mg protein and showed an affinity of (Kd, room temperature) 140 +/- 10 pmol/l. The same assay system was used to determine the hierarchy of affinities for a range of natural and synthetic analogues. Calling T3 100, the order of potencies observed was: Triac, 500; 3,5-diiodo-3'-isopropylthyronine, 89; T4, 32; 3,5-dimethyl-3'isopropylthyronine 2; 3,5-T2, 0.7, rT3, 0.4; 3'5'-T2, less than 0.01. These results suggest that the T3 binding sites present in human IM-9 lymphocyte nuclei and extracts thereof are thyroid hormone receptors. These cells may be a useful tool to increase our understanding of human T3 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increase in the expression of thyroid hormone receptors in porcine granulosa cells early in follicular maturation.

Thyroid hormone has been demonstrated to synergize with FSH to exert stimulatory effects on the differentiation of porcine granulosa cells. In order to further characterize the nature of thyroid hormone action on granulosa cells, the presence of triiodothyronine (T3) receptors in the nuclei of porcine granulosa cells was examined, and qualitatively and quantitatively compared during follicular maturation. Then, comparative abilities of granulosa cells from varying follicle stages to respond to T3 were assessed in terms of FSH-induced LH/hCG receptor formation and progesterone secretion. Furthermore, the expression of erb-A was analyzed using Northern blot hybridization of porcine granulosa cell RNA with a v-erb-A probe. Binding experiments with [125I]T3 showed that granulosa cell nuclei obtained from small follicles had a greater ability to bind [125I]T3 compared to those from large follicles. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of nuclear T3 receptors with a single class of binding sites. There was little difference in the affinity of the T3 receptors during follicular maturation. By contrast, the number of the T3 receptors was higher in small follicle granulosa cells compared to that in large follicle granulosa cells. Thus, the increased T3 binding to small follicle granulosa cells relative to large follicle granulosa cells appears to be attributable to the increased number of the nuclear T3 receptors rather than to a change in the affinity. The magnitude of the stimulatory effects of T3 on granulosa cell functions was maximal in small follicle granulosa cells, but negligible in large follicle granulosa cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Down-regulation of nuclear T3 receptors by thyroid hormones in the rat anterior pituitary

The concentration of T₃ nuclear receptors may be modulated by thyroid hormones. We have examined the effect of thyroid hormone excess and deficiency in the rat on the in vitro binding of T₃ to anterior pituitary nuclear receptors. Nuclei prepared from hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and control rats by homogenisation and centrifugation were incubated with [¹²⁵I]T₃ and unlabelled T₃ at increasing concentrations. After incubation for 60 min at 37 °C, nuclei were separated by filtration and bound radioactivity counted. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed no significant difference in binding affinity or capacity for T₃ between nuclei from hypothyroid and control rats. Results from hyperthyroid and control animals revealed no change in affinity, but a marked reduction in binding capacity was observed, suggesting depletion of receptor number. This finding of down-regulation may represent a protective mechanism against the effects of high circulating thyroid hormone levels on the tissues.     

Epidermal growth factor decreases thyroid hormone receptors and attenuates thyroid hormone responses in GH4C1 cells

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of long term exposure to epidermal growth factor (EGF) on thyroid hormone responses as well as the concentration of specific nuclear thyroid hormone receptors in GH4C1 rat pituitary tumor cells. GH4C1 cells were first incubated for 48 h in medium with 5% fetal calf serum depleted of thyroid hormones by ion exchange resin. EGF had no effect on thyroid hormone receptors after 2 h, but decreased [125I]T3 binding to 56% of control values at 24 h and 68% at 48 h. L-T3 (0.5 nM) caused down-regulation of thyroid hormone receptors, and addition of EGF caused a further decrease. T3 alone (0.5 nM) caused a 2- to 3-fold induction of GH after 48 h, and GH induction was significantly inhibited by the addition of 10 nM EGF. Scatchard analysis of specific nuclear [125I]T3 binding showed that 48-h incubation with 10 nM EGF decreased T3 receptors from a Bmax of 2.35 to 1.26 pmol/mg DNA in thyroid hormone-depleted medium without affecting receptor affinity (Kd, 80 pM). The decrease in nuclear thyroid hormone receptors caused by EGF was dose dependent, with half-maximal inhibition at 0.10 nM EGF. EGF attenuated the GH response to T3 with similar dose-response characteristics. When cells were incubated for 48 h with different concentrations of T3, EGF (10 nM) decreased thyroid hormone receptors to 56-72% of control values regardless of the dose of T3, and EGF shifted the ED50 for T3 stimulation of GH from 0.1 to 1.2 nM. EGF also reduced from 5- to 1.8-fold the increase in cell number caused by thyroid hormone over 2 weeks. In contrast, EGF stimulation of PRL synthesis was changed only slightly by thyroid hormone at all times. In conclusion, we demonstrate that low concentrations of EGF decrease nuclear thyroid hormone receptors and thyroid hormone responses; this may be the mechanism by which EGF suppresses T3-induced GH production in GH4C1 cells.     

Differences in nuclear thyroid hormone receptors among species

Hepatic nuclear thyroid hormone receptors from rat, dog, chicken, and rainbow trout were compared. Receptor affinities for 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) were similar in preparations from rat, dog, and chicken, using isolated nuclei and nuclear extracts. Rainbow trout nuclear receptor showed a lower affinity for T3. Almost half of the receptors were released into the medium with rat and chicken nuclei, and 79.7 +/- 1.1% of the receptors were released with rainbow trout nuclei, when isolated nuclei were incubated with T3 at 22 degrees for 2 hr. The affinity constant of rat liver receptor for calf thymus DNA-cellulose at 0.17 M KCl, pH 7.4, was 3.98 +/- 1.47 x 10(5) M-1, when determined using DNA-cellulose columns. The number of salt bridges involved in DNA binding of the rat receptor was 5.73 +/- 0.38. When receptor-DNA interactions were compared among species, significant differences were found, but the receptors from dog and rainbow trout liver were similar. Sephacryl S-200 column chromatography showed that chicken receptor had a Stokes radius significantly smaller than that of rat receptor. Partial proteolysis of T3-receptor complex using trypsin alpha-chymotrypsin, elastase, and papain produced distinct T3-binding fragments in different species. Our data provide evidence that nuclear thyroid hormone receptors from different species have significant structural dissimilarities.     

Characterization of tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors in human and rat thyroid cells and regulation of the receptors by thyrotropin

Administration of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) to rats and mice produces a model of nonthyroid illness in which there is impairment of hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid function, including reduced serum concentrations of T4 and T3, reduced thyroid radioiodine uptake, and reduced response to TSH. In this study, we tested the binding and effects of TNF on FRTL-5 cells and on four human thyroid carcinoma cell lines. The TSH-stimulated [125I]iodide uptake by FRTL-5 cells was inhibited by TNF in a dose-dependent manner. The four human thyroid carcinoma cell lines (NPA, MRO, ARO, WRO) have TSH receptors but did not respond to TSH in regard to iodide uptake and thymidine incorporation. Both human thyroid carcinoma cells and FRTL-5 cells contain specific receptors for TNF. Scatchard analysis showed that the receptor numbers and dissociation constants in human thyroid carcinoma cells and FRTL-5 cells were, respectively; 2.4 x 10(4), 5.4 nM (WRO); 8 x 10(3), 3.4 nM (MRO); 4 x 10(3), 1 nM (ARO); 7 x 10(3), 1 nM (NPA); 3 x 10(3), 1 nM (FRTL-5), and 9 x 10(3), 1 nM (FRTL-5 cells treated with TSH). The results indicate that TNF affects thyroid cell function through binding to the TNF receptor and that the number of TNF receptors is regulated by TSH.     

Nuclear thyroid hormone receptor in the rat uterus

The uterus may be a target organ for T3 action. The present study was done to determine whether uterine nuclei contain receptors for T3 (T3R). Methods were established for the measurement of T3R concentrations in preparations of rat uterine nuclei. The liver was studied concomitantly as a tissue known to contain nuclear T3R. Nuclear fractions were prepared by established procedures and extracted in buffer containing 0.5 M KCl. Specific [125I]T3 binding in the nuclear extract was analyzed by Scatchard plot. In both liver and uterine nuclear extracts, a binding component of high affinity for [125I]T3 (Ka = 1.0-3.0 X 10(9) M-1) was detected. This binding component was lost after heating at 50 C for 10 min. On sucrose density gradients, the principal [125I]T3-binding component in uterine and liver nuclear extracts had a 3.5-4.0 S sedimentation coefficient. Binding specificity was assessed by competition assays for [125I]T3 binding by using stable T3, T4, triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), rT3, and 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2). The order of relative binding affinities (RBAs) in uterine nuclear extracts was T3 greater than TRIAC greater than T4 greater than rT3 greater than T2, and that in liver extracts was TRIAC greater than T3 greater than T4 greater than rT3 greater than T2. In contrast, RBA values derived from dilute serum were distinctly different from both uterine and liver values: T4 greater than T3 greater than rT3 greater than TRIAC greater than T2. The concentrations (femtomoles per mg DNA) of T3R in several tissues were: liver, 595 +/- 162; kidney, 492 +/- 120; uterus, 249 +/- 66; spleen, 48 +/- 10 (mean +/- SE; n = 4). These results provide evidence for the presence of T3R in the nuclear fraction of the rat uterus with properties similar to those of the liver nuclear T3R.     

Nuclear triiodothyronine binding sites in rat adipocytes

Most effects of thyroid hormones appear to be mediated by the binding of triiodothyronine (T3) to nuclear triiodothyronine binding sites (NT3BS). Although thyroid hormones influence adipocyte metabolism, NT3BS have not been described in mature adipocytes yet. This report describes T3 nuclear binding in isolated nuclei from rat epididymal fat pad adipocytes. Nuclei were isolated by exposing collagenase-dispersed adipocytes to STM (sucrose, 0.25 mol/L; TRIS, 20 mmol/L; MgCl2, 1.1 mmol/L, pH 7.85) containing 0.5% (vol/vol) Triton X-100. Incubation of nuclei suspended in STM/EDTA (2 mmol/L)/DTT (5 mmol/L) with 125I-T3 and varying concentrations of unlabeled T3 at 37 degrees C for one hour revealed the presence of high-affinity, low-capacity NT3BS. Their MBC was 0.39 +/- 0.04 (SD) ng of T3 per milligram of DNA and their Kd was 1.4 +/- 0.5 (SD) X 10(-10) mol/L T3. Specific binding reached a plateau between 30 minutes and two hours of incubation. The addition of 5 X 10(-7) mol/L T3 to nuclei incubated for one hour with 2 X 10(-11) mol/L T3 completely displaced the specifically bound 125I-T3 within 30 minutes. Thyroxine (T4) and 3, 3', 5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) could displace 125I-T3 from the NT3BS but were less than 10% and 1% as effective, respectively, as T3. Rat epididymal fat pad adipocytes contain NT3BS, the binding characteristics of which are similar to those of rat hepatic NT3BS.     

Characterization of nuclear thyroid hormone receptors of cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with resistance to thyroid hormone

Nuclear thyroid hormone receptors of patients with the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone were investigated in cell lines from seven patients in four affected families and compared to results from six normals. Fibroblasts cultured from skin biopsies were used. When binding affinity and capacity for L-triiodothyronine (T3) were examined by incubating whole cells or isolated nuclei, no significant differences were found. The amount of receptor released during the incubation of nuclei (9.3% to 19.0% of total nuclear receptors) was also within the normal range in these patients. When T3 binding assays were performed on 0.3 mol/L KCl extracted receptor, a significant decrease in binding capacity (MBC) without a difference in binding affinity (Ka) was observed in four patients and a lower Ka with normal MBC was found in two patients. Recovery of receptors in saline extracts, from patients' fibroblasts showing a low MBC, was low in comparison to normals. Lability of salt extracted receptors at 38 degrees C was normal and salt extractability of T3 occupied receptors, examined by incubation of [125I]-T3 labeled nuclei with various concentrations of KCl, was only slightly decreased. This lower salt extractability of receptors was insufficient to account for the low MBC obtained by Scatchard analysis of T3 binding to nuclear extracts. Gel filtration and density gradient sedimentation of salt-extracted receptors showed Stokes radius of 34 A, and sedimentation coefficient of 3.4 S in all patients and normals. From these values, molecular weight of 49,000 and total frictional ratio (f/fo) of 1.4 were calculated for nuclear receptors from patients and normals, suggesting a somewhat asymmetrical shape of receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine binding to rat cerebrocortical neuronal and glial nuclei suggests the presence of binding sites unavailable in vivo

The maximal binding capacity (MBC) of the rat cerebrocortical nuclear T3 receptor, as determined by in vivo saturation techniques, is approximately half that measured in vitro on isolated nuclei or solubilized receptors. To investigate this disparity, the MBC values determined in vivo and in vitro for both rat cerebral cortex and liver were compared, taking into account nuclear receptor loss or inactivation and the presence of endogenous T3. By Scatchard analysis of T3 binding to isolated nuclei in vitro at 37 C, the uncorrected MBC values (mean +/- SEM; n = 3) for the cerebrocortical nuclear T3 receptor in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats were 0.80 +/- 0.14 and 0.66 +/- 0.07 ng T3/mg DNA, respectively, and were not significantly different. The Kd values were also not significantly different (5.6 +/- 0.3 and 5.2 +/- 0.9 X 10(-10) M, respectively). After corrections for incomplete dissociation and receptor inactivation under the in vitro conditions, the overall mean MBC increased by approximately 33% to 0.97 ng T3/mg DNA, or about 3.6 times the in vivo MBC. In addition, cerebrocortical nuclei prelabeled in vivo with +/- 131I]T3 at near-saturating levels and subsequently incubated with [125I]T3 in vitro at concentrations up to 10 times the Kd were shown to bind as much as 4 times more T3 in vitro relative to the amount of endogenous hormone which dissociated, thus exceeding the in vivo MBC by a factor of two. Parallel experiments with isolated liver nuclei did not show the existence of nuclear T3 receptors which were available only in vitro, even when the corrected MBC (0.77 ng T3/mg DNA) was compared with the MBC obtained by the in vivo saturation technique (0.76 ng T3/mg DNA). The experiments with liver nuclei were done at 25 C to reduce the rate of inactivation or loss of nuclear T3 receptors in this tissue. By fractionating isolated cerebrocortical nuclei into neuronal and glial subpopulations on discontinuous sucrose gradients, the high affinity, limited capacity nuclear T3 receptor could only be identified in the neuronal fraction. No consistent specific binding of T3 was observed in glial nuclei that were 80% pure, suggesting that either glial cells in the adult rat are not likely to be direct targets of thyroid hormone or that thyroid hormone may act via nonnuclear receptor-mediated pathways. We conclude that only neurons have specific high affinity, limited capacity nuclear T3 receptors and that as many as half of these receptors may not be accessible to plasma T3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The characterization of nuclear triiodo-L-thyronine receptors of rabbit liver (author's transl)]

The binding characteristics and physical properties of the nuclear receptors of rabbit liver were studied. The receptors were extracted with 0.4M KCl from purified hepatic nuclei and were incubated with increasing doses of 125I-triiodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) and stable L-T3 for 2 hours at 20 degrees C. Scatchard analyses indicated that the association constant (Ka) of the nuclear receptors was 1.5 X 10(10)M-1, and that maximal binding capacity was about 0.12 pmol T3 per 1 ml of nuclear extract, equivalent to 1 g of liver or 0.2 pmol T3 per mg of protein of the nuclear extracts. The nuclear binding sites were specific for L-T3. When compared by the molar concentrations of hormone analogues required to produce 50% inhibition of L-T3 binding, the relative binding affinities of triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac), D-T3, L-T4 and D-T4 were, respectively, 1/2, 1/4, 1/50 and 1/170 of L-T3. The binding affinity of Triac for the isolated hepatic nuclei was also nearly half that of L-T3. Furthermore, to displace radioactive Triac from the binding sites, Triac was half as effective as L-T3. The molecular weight of the nuclear receptors was estimated to be about 40000 to 45000 by the elution profiles from a Sephadex G-100 column, and the sedimentation coefficient was slightly less than 4S on sucrose density gradient centrifugations. Both elution profiles from DEAE- and ECTEOLA- cellulose columns with a linear KCl gradient showed a sharp, narrow peak of radioactive T3 at about 0.15 to 0.2M KCl. The results obtained with rabbit liver were similar to those reported previously in rat liver except for the relative binding affinity for Triac. It is possible that this discrepancy may be due to a species-related difference.     

Calcitriol receptors in rat thyroid follicular cells (FRTL-5).

The FRTL-5 cell line is widely used as a model for normal thyroid follicular cells. These cells have retained their ability to alter cAMP production, cell proliferation, iodine uptake, and thyroglobulin synthesis in response to thyrotropin. We have previously shown that calcitriol attenuated both basal and TSH stimulated cAMP production dose-dependently in FRTL-5 cells. Cytosol fractions (105,000 g, 60 min, 4 degrees C) prepared from FRTL-5 cell homogenates possessed calcitriol-binding components with a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 3.7 S in high salt (0.3 mol/l KCl) sucrose gradients (5-20%). At 4 degrees C, specific binding increased rapidly during the first 4 h and reached a plateau after 8 h. The specific binding (18 h, 4 degrees C) was maximal at a [3H]calcitriol concentration of approximately 0.5 nmol/l. Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated one single class of high affinity binding sites with Kd = 105 +/- 2 pmol/l and Bmax = 38.5 +/- 4.7 pmol/g cytosol protein (mean +/- SD, N = 6). In conclusion, our results suggest that the FRTL-5 cells possess functional receptors for calcitriol with the same physicochemical properties as the receptors found in normal rat tissues.     

Attenuation of thyroid hormone action by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in pituitary cells

Interactions between thyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] were examined in a rat pituitary tumor cell line, GH4C1. Cells were incubated in thyroid hormone-depleted medium for 2 days, and specific nuclear binding of [125I]T3 was measured. 1,25-(OH)2D3 decreased nuclear [125I]T3 binding without changing total cellular uptake of [125I]T3. This 1,25-(OH)2D3 effect required 2-3 h to become evident and 24 h to reach a maximum (40-50% of control) and was reversible. Treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 8 h changed the maximal binding capacity for [125I]T3 from 80.2 +/- 2.9 to 50.3 +/- 6.3 fmol/10(6) cells, whereas Kd was not significantly altered. The decrease in [125I]T3 binding was dose dependent, with an IC50 for 1,25-(OH)2D3 of 1 nM in thyroid hormone-depleted medium. 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused little change in [125I]T3 binding to isolated nuclei, i.e. 1,25-(OH)2D3 does not compete directly with [125I]T3 for binding. It is unlikely that 1,25-(OH)2D3 decreased [125I]T3 binding by increasing the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), since 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not change [Ca2+]i in Indo-I-loaded GH4C1 cells. Two major species (6 and 2.6 kilobases) of mRNA for c-erb-A, which have been reported to encode nuclear thyroid hormone receptors, were found by Northern blot analysis, and both were decreased by treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 8 h. T3 (2 nM) caused a 3-fold increase in GH production over 72 h and 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited GH induction by T3, with an IC50 at approximately 1 nM. 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated PRL synthesis 5-fold when 10 nM T3 was present, but not when T3 was absent. In summary, 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused a dose-dependent down-regulation of nuclear thyroid hormone receptors at a pretranslational level and diminished GH induction by T3. These results suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibits GH synthesis indirectly, at least partly, by attenuating endogenous thyroid hormone action.     

Effect of thyrotrophin on epidermal growth factor receptors in monolayer cultures of porcine thyroid cells

Primary cultures of porcine thyroid cells, grown as monolayers, showed saturable binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF). Scatchard analysis resolved the binding to a high-affinity/low-capacity site (dissociation constant = 0.17 nmol/l, maximal binding capacity = 1.67 pmol/10(6) cells) and a low-affinity/high-capacity site. Preincubation of thyroid monolayers with TSH for 3 days caused an increase in binding of 125I-labelled EGF due to an increase in the number of receptors, with the binding affinity unchanged. This effect was dose-dependent within the range of TSH concentrations 0.01-100 mu/l. The same effect was seen with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10-1000 mumol/l). When the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide was included in the TSH preincubation, the increase in EGF binding was abolished. The TSH effect on EGF binding was not mediated by thyroid hormones, since neither thyroxine (T4) nor tri-iodothyronine (T3) at 0.1 nmol/l-10 mumol/l could mimic the effect of TSH, nor could antisera to T3 or T4 neutralize the effect of TSH. The concentration of extracellular iodide (10 nmol/l-10 mmol/l) had no effect on the binding of 125I-labelled EGF. The results demonstrate that TSH increases the number of receptor sites for binding of EGF to thyroid monolayers in vitro. This effect is dependent upon protein synthesis and is mediated by cyclic AMP but not by thyroid hormones or iodide. This effect on binding of EGF may contribute to the trophic action of TSH.     

Nuclear thyroid hormone receptors in cultured bone cells

Thyroid hormones influence bone metabolism, but a direct interaction of triiodothyronine with nuclear T3 receptors in bone cells has not yet been reported. We investigated 125I-T3 binding to nuclei isolated from the cloned osteoblastlike rat osteosarcoma cells ROS 17/2.8. At 37 degrees C, saturable 125I-T3 binding to isolated nuclei reached equilibrium by 30 minutes and was completely displaced upon the addition of 500 nmol/L unlabeled T3. Nonsaturable binding represented about 0.5% of the radioactivity added (20% of the total binding). Thyroxine and 3,3',5'triiodothyronine competed with 125I-T3 with a 20-fold and 400-fold lower affinity than T3, respectively. Analysis of equilibrium competition experiments revealed the presence of a single class of homogeneous binding sites with an association constant of 5.0 +/- 0.3 X 10(9) mol/L-1 and a maximum nuclear binding capacity of 0.13 +/- 0.02 ng/mg DNA. A twofold increase of bone Gla protein (BGP) secretion was observed with T3 treatment suggesting that these T3 nuclear receptors are coupled with a biological response.     

Thyroid hormone receptors in a human hepatoma cell line: multiple receptor forms on isoelectric focusing

The nuclear thyroid hormone receptors isolated from cultured human hepatoma cells (Hep G2) were characterized and compared with those from cultured human fibroblasts and rat liver. The Hep G2 nuclear thyroid hormone receptors had an affinity constant (Ka) of 2.1 X 10(10) M-1 and maximal binding capacity (MBC) of 21.0 fmol/100 micrograms DNA for T3 in assays performed on isolated nuclei. 16% of nuclear receptors were released into the media during incubation and had the same Ka. Salt-extracted receptors had a Ka of 1.8 X 10(10) M-1 and MBC of 0.1 pmol/mg protein for T3. Density gradient sedimentation and gel filtration chromatography revealed a sedimentation coefficient of 3.4 S and Stokes radius of 34 A. From these values, a molecular weight of 49,000 and total frictional ratio (f/f0) of 1.4 were calculated, suggesting an asymmetrical shape of the receptor molecule. Heat inactivation occurred with t1/2 of 28.1, 18.0, and 7.9 min at 38, 43, 45 degrees C, respectively. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of Hep G2 nuclear receptors demonstrated T3 binding proteins at pH 5.3-5.5, 5.7, and 5.9. Evidence that these are nuclear thyroid hormone receptors includes the following: Triiodothyroacetic acid was the most potent competitor of [125I]T3 binding to these proteins followed by L-T3, and L-T4. Cytosolic protein, human serum, and fetal calf serum failed to show the same T3 binding proteins. Ka of these proteins measured by T3 displacement was 1.1-3.2 X 10(9) M-1. Human fibroblast nuclear extract showed similar T3 binding pattern in IEF, except for a slight difference in pI of an acidic band.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tissue-specific differences in the compartmentalization of rat nuclear triiodothyronine receptors

In addition to the recognized rat liver nuclear T3 receptor extractable with hypertonic salt, recent studies have described nucleoplasmic receptors extractable with isotonic KCl and salt-resistant receptors localized to the nuclear matrix. A method was developed for the determination of intra-nuclear receptor distribution in small samples of nuclei dispersed within glass wool matrices. After in vitro labelling with 6 nmol/l [125I]T3, dispersed nuclei were sequentially extracted with 0.15 mol/l KCl (yielding nucleoplasmic receptors), 0.4 mol/l KCl. and 2 mol/l KCl (the latter two concentrations yielding hypertonic salt-extractable receptors). The salt-resistant receptors were retained within the glass wool columns. The intra-nuclear distribution of in vivo labelled receptors was very similar to that obtained by in vitro labelling. The equilibrium association constants for L-T3 binding among the receptor pools ranged from 0.6 X 10(9) to 1.0 X 10(9) l/mol. The distribution of total nuclear receptors within each nuclear compartment was (percentage of nucleoplasmic, hypertonic salt-extractable, and salt-resistant receptors): Cerebrum: 23.6, 52.2, 24.2; Liver: 25.2, 57.2, 17.5; Kidney: 45.9, 33.5, 20.6; Testis: 65.5, 14.7, 19.7; and Spleen: 66.7, 18.7, 14.6. The rank order of percentage of hypertonic salt-extractable receptors approximates the rank order of thyroid hormone-responsiveness by traditional criteria. The inverse is true for the percentage of nucleoplasmic receptors. The percentage of salt-resistant receptors was very similar in all of the tissues.     

Modulation of myocardial L-triiodothyronine receptors in normal, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid rats

To characterize the nuclear receptor believed to mediate the thyroid hormones' actions on the heart, binding of L-[125I]T3 to extracts of myocardial cell nuclei from normal, propylthiouracil, and T4-treated rats has been investigated. Analysis of in vitro iodothyronine binding to this solubilized nuclear preparation revealed multiple saturable, specific binding sites for T3. High affinity binding for T3 (Kd = 4.2 +/- 1.0 X 10(-10) mol/L), and lower affinity (Kd approximately 10(-8) mol/L) binding activity appeared to be independent (Hill plot slope = 1). The mean maximal binding capacity of the high affinity binding site for T3 in euthyroid rats (84 +/- 8 fmol/mg DNA) was increased by approximately 50% in hypothyroidism (120 +/- 6 fmol/mg DNA) and unchanged in hyperthyroidism (88 +/- 25 fmol/mg DNA). The molecular weight of this T3 binding site is estimated to be 50,000-55,000 daltons. The properties of this solubilized binding activity from rat myocardial nuclei are consistent with its putative role as the biologic thyroid hormone receptor. The increase in binding capacity with hypothyroidism suggest regulation by thyroid hormone of its nuclear receptor in myocardium.