Analysis of TPO gene in Turkish children with iodide organification defect: identification of a novel mutation

The objective was to determine molecular genetic analysis of the TPO gene in Turkish children with iodide organification defect (IOD). Patients with a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism were evaluated. Subjects having a definite diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid gland dysplasia and, or iodine deficiency were excluded. A total of 10 patients from nine unrelated Turkish families, with an unknown etiology of hypothyroidism, and with a presumptive diagnosis of IOD were included in the study. A perchlorate discharge test (PDT) was performed to all subjects, and sequence analysis of TPO gene was applied in patients with a positive PDT. Five out of 10 patients have a total IOD, while the five remaining patients have a partial IOD according to PDT results. In two sisters, one has a partial and the other one has a total IOD a novel homozygous nonsense p.Q315X mutation was found in exon 8. Additionally, a previously known homozygous missense p.R314W mutation was detected in the same exon in another patient with a total IOD. No TPO gene mutation was detected in any of the seven remaining patients. Two different TPO gene mutations were found to be responsible for IOD in two unrelated Turkish families from the same ethnic background. More subjects should be screened for detecting the prevalence and spectrum profile of TPO mutations in our population that might be helpful for understanding the pathophysiology of congenital hypothyroidism.     

Congenital goitrous hypothyroidism: mutation analysis in the thyroid peroxidase gene

Background Iodide organification defect (IOD) is characterized by a reduced ability of the thyroid gland to retain iodide resulting in hypothyroidism. Mutations in thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene appear to be the most common cause of IOD and are commonly inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. The TPO gene is located on the chromosome 2p25. It comprises 17 exons, covers approximately 150 kb of genomic DNA and codes 933 amino acids. Objetives In this study, we characterize the clinical and molecular basis of seven patients from four unrelated families with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) because of IOD. Design and Methods All patients underwent clinical, biochemical and imaging evaluation. The promoter and the complete coding regions of the human TPO along with the flanking intronic regions were analysed by single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing. Segregation analysis of mutations was carried out, and the effect of the novel missense identified mutations was investigated by ‘in silico’ studies. Results All subjects had congenital and persistent primary hypothyroidism. Three novel mutations: c.796C>T [p.Q266X], c.1784G>A [p.R595K] and c.2000G>A [p.G667D] and a previously reported mutation: c.1186_1187insGGCC [p.R396fsX472] have been identified. Four patients were compound heterozygous for p.R396fsX472/p.R595K mutations, two patients were homozygous for p.R595K, and the remaining patient was a compound heterozygous for p.Q266X/p.G667D. Conclusions Our findings confirm the genetic heterogeneity of TPO defects and the importance of the implementation of molecular studies to determinate the aetiology of the CH with dyshormonogenesis.     

Two novel missense mutations in the thyroid peroxidase gene, R665W and G771R, result in a localization defect and cause congenital hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) deficiency is one of the causes of thyroid dyshormonogenesis, because TPO plays a key role in thyroid hormone biosynthesis. To determine the frequency and pattern of TPO abnormalities, we have been screening TPO genes of patients with congenital goitrous hypothyroidism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: TPO genes of a patient with congenital goitrous hypothyroidism and her parents were directly sequenced, and two novel missense mutations (R665W and G771R) were found. The former was derived from her father and the latter from her mother. R665 and G771 were well conserved in the peroxidase superfamily. When mRNAs containing each of the mutations were transfected into CHO-K1 cells, each cell showed faint TPO enzyme activity. However, immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic analyses revealed that neither of the mutated TPOs reached the plasma membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Two novel missense mutations in the TPO gene were found. TPO proteins encoded by these mutated alleles showed abnormal cellular localization; namely, localization on the plasma membrane was disturbed. The loss of plasma membrane localization in mutated TPOs brought about the iodide organification defect, which was diagnosed as congenital hypothyroidism.     

High prevalence of thyroid peroxidase gene mutations in patients with thyroid dyshormonogenesis

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid dyshormonogenesis is a genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders in the enzymatic cascade of thyroid hormone synthesis that result in congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Thyroid peroxidase gene (TPO) mutations are one of the most common causes of thyroid dyshormonogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify TPO gene defects in a cohort of patients with thyroid dyshormonogenesis from Slovenia, Bosnia, and Slovakia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with permanent CH and orthoptic thyroid glands from 39 unrelated families participated in the study. Mutational analysis of the TPO gene and part of its promoter consisted of single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis, sequencing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results: TPO gene mutations were identified in 46% of participants. Seven different mutations were identified, four mutations of these being novel, namely 613C > T (R175X), 1519_1539del (A477_N483del), 2089G > A (G667S), and 2669G > A (G860R). Only a single allele mutation was identified in 65% of the TPO mutation carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a higher prevalence of TPO gene mutations in thyroid dyshormonogenesis when compared with published studies. The high percentage of single allele mutations implied possible intronic or regulatory TPO gene mutations or monoallelic expression.     

Two novel mutations in the thyroid peroxidase gene with goitrous hypothyroidism

We encountered a Japanese patient with goitrous hypothyroidism due to iodide organification defect in the thyroid gland. Sequence analysis identified two novel mutations (E378K in exon 8 and a heterozygous 10 base deletion of the intron 15-exon 16 boundary) in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene. As individuals with goitrous hypothyroidism caused by TPO gene mutation develop thyroid cancer, regular and careful follow-up for such patients must be done.     

Novel mutations of the thyroid peroxidase gene in patients with permanent congenital hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: It is suggested that iodide organification defects account for 10% of all cases with congenital hypothyroidism (CH). One candidate gene for these defects is the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene. DESIGN: Exons 2, 8-10 and 14 of the TPO gene were examined in 30 patients with permanent CH without a family history of CH. This group was characterized by the presence of an orthotopic thyroid gland and elevated TSH levels. METHODS: The mutational screening was performed by single-strand conformational polymorphism followed by sequence analysis of fragments with abnormal migration patterns and by restriction enzyme analysis. RESULTS: In four patients we were able to identify mutations on both alleles which have not been described so far. One patient was a carrier of a new homozygous point mutation in exon 9 resulting in an exchange from Leu to Pro at codon 458. Another patient was found to be compound heterozygous for two mutations, a 20 bp duplication in exon 2 and a new mutation in exon 9 (Arg491His). Two brothers of consanguineous parents showed a homozygous T deletion in exon 14 at position 2512. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the genetic heterogeneity of TPO defects and support the suggested prevalence of organification defects.     

Mutation screening of the thyroid peroxidase gene in a cohort of 55 Portuguese patients with congenital hypothyroidism

OBJECTIVE: Defects in the human thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene are reported to be one of the causes of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to a total iodide organification defect. The aim of the present study was to determine the nature and frequency of TPO gene mutations in patients with CH, characterised by elevated TSH levels and orthotopic thyroid gland, identified in the Portuguese National Neonatal Screening Programme. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 55 patients, from 53 unrelated families, with follow-up in the endocrinology clinics of the treatment centres of Porto and Lisbon. Mutation screening in the TPO gene (exons 1-17) was performed by single-strand conformational analysis followed by sequencing of fragments with abnormal migration patterns. RESULTS: Eight different mutations were detected in 13 patients (seven homozygotes and six compound heterozygotes). Novel mutations included three missense mutations, namely 391T > C (S131P), 1274A > G (N425S) and 2512T > A (C838S), as well as the predictable splice mutation 2748G > A (Q916Q/spl?). The undocumented polymorphism 180-47A > C was also detected. CONCLUSION: The results are in accordance with previous observations confirming the genetic heterogeneity of TPO defects. The proportion of patients in which the aetiology was determined justifies the implementation of this molecular testing in our CH patients with dyshormonogenesis.     

Pseudodominant inheritance of goitrous congenital hypothyroidism caused by TPO mutations: molecular and in silico studies

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Most cases of goitrous congenital hypothyroidism (CH) from thyroid dyshormonogenesis 1) follow a recessive mode of inheritance and 2) are due to mutations in the thyroid peroxidase gene (TPO). We report the genetic mechanism underlying the apparently dominant inheritance of goitrous CH in a nonconsanguineous family of French Canadian origin. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Two brothers identified by newborn TSH screening had severe hypothyroidism and a goiter with increased (99m)Tc uptake. The mother was euthyroid, but the father and two paternal uncles had also been diagnosed with goitrous CH. After having excluded PAX8 gene mutations, we hypothesized that the underlying defect could be TPO mutations. RESULTS: Both compound heterozygous siblings had inherited a mutant TPO allele carried by their mother (c.1496delC; p.Pro499Argfs2X), and from their father, one brother had inherited a missense mutation (c.1978C-->G; p.Gln660Glu) and the other an insertion (c.1955insT; p.Phe653Valfs15X). The thyroid gland of one uncle who is a compound heterozygote for TPO mutations (p.Phe653Valfs15X/p.Gln660Glu) was removed because of concurrent multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. Immunohistochemistry revealed normal TPO staining, implying that Gln660Glu TPO is expressed properly. Modeling of this mutant in silico suggests that its three-dimensional structure is conserved, whereas the electrostatic binding energy between the Gln660Glu TPO and its heme group becomes repulsive. CONCLUSION: We report a pedigree presenting with pseudodominant goitrous CH due to segregation of three different TPO mutations. Although goitrous CH generally follows a recessive mode of inheritance, the high frequency of TPO mutations carriers may lead to pseudodominant inheritance.     

Two decades of screening for congenital hypothyroidism in The Netherlands: TPO gene mutations in total iodide organification defects (an update)

Presented is a cohort study to assess the nature and frequency of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) mutations in 45 patients (35 families) with congenital hypothyroidism due to a total iodide organification defect; incidence is 1:66,000 in The Netherlands. The presentation is consistently similar with a severe form of congenital hypothyroidism and also characterized by a complete and immediate release of accumulated radioiodide from the thyroid after sodium perchlorate administration. Sixteen different mutations were found, including eight novel mutations; the majority occurs in exons 8, 9, or 10. The GGCC insertion in exon 8 at nucleotide 1277, leading to an early termination signal in exon 9, is the most frequently occurring mutation. These mutations were detected in 29 families in both TPO alleles (13 homozygous and 16 compound heterozygous). In one family, partial maternal isodisomy of 2p was detected, in four families only one mutated TPO allele could be detected, and in one family no inactivating TPO mutation could be found. Because all patients clearly had the clinicopathologic features of a total iodide organification defect, we conclude that in these five families the mutations in the (other) alleles could be either located in the intronic sequences or in the promoter region. Mutations in the TPO gene result in total iodide organification defects.     

Thyroperoxidase gene mutations in congenital goitrous hypothyroidism with total and partial iodide organification defect.

Mutations of the thyroperoxidase (TPO) gene have been reported as being the most severe and frequent abnormality in thyroid iodide organification defect (IOD) causing goitrous congenital hypothyroidism. The objective of this study was to screen and subsequently identify TPO gene mutations in patients with congenital hypothyroidism with evidence of total iodine organification defects (TIOD) or partial iodine organification defect (PIOD) as defined by the perchlorate discharge test. Seven goitrous patients with TIOD and seven patients with PIOD, from three and five unrelated families, respectively, were studied. We were able to detect different TPO genes mutations in patients with TIOD and PIOD. In TIOD families the results were as follows: (1) a homozygous GGCC insertion at exon 8, position 1277 (family 1); (2) compound heterozygosity with a GGCC insertion at exon 8 (1277) and a nucleotide substitution in exon 11 (2068G>C) (family 2); (3) compound heterozygosity with the mutation 2068G>C in exon 11 and a C insertion in exon 14 between positions 2505-2511 (family 3). In patients with PIOD we have detected: (1) only one heterozygous mutation in two families (4 and 5), in exons 11 and 10 (2084G>A and 1780C>A); (2) a compound heterozygous condition in one family (family 6), with mutations, respectively in exons 8 and 10 (1242G>T and 1780C>A); (3) only polymorphisms (family VII) and (4) a heterozygous mutation in the first base of the border exon/intron 9 +1G>T (family VIII). We did not detect inactivating mutations in exons 11, 16, and 21 of the THOX2 gene where mutations have been previously described. We concluded that homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations found in TIOD characterized the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and will translate a nonfunctional protein or a protein that may not reach the apical membrane. As for PIOD, the majority of the studied kindreds had only heterozygous mutations and/or polymorphisms. It is conceivable that these TPO gene sequence alterations may partially affect the functional state of the translated protein or affect its transport to the apical membrane.     

A novel homozygous missense mutation of the dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) gene in an adult patient with large goiter.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the first adult case of large goiter associated with a novel R1110Q mutation in the dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) gene. She was initially euthyroid, and developed hypothyroidism later in her forties. DUOX2 is an essential enzyme in iodine organification of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Only infant cases of congenital hypothyroidism due to mutations of the DUOX2 gene have been reported. Biallelic mutation of DUOX2 is thought to lead to total iodine organification defect. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENT: This 57-year-old woman became first aware of goiter around the age of 20 years. Since the goiter had enlarged gradually, she consulted us at the age of 32 years. Goiter was soft, and thyroid function was normal. Antithyroid antibodies were negative. Both physical and mental development was normal. Three of her nine siblings and her mother had large goiters. At the age of 44 years, thyroid function demonstrated subclinical hypothyroidism. She started to take levo-thyroxine at a dose of 100 mug/day to reduce goiter. At the age of 56 years, goiter size remained the same. The perchlorate discharge rate was 72.8%, suggesting partial iodine organification defect. Thus, thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene and DUOX2 gene were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no mutation in the TPO gene, but a novel homozygous mutation (R1110Q) in the DUOX2 gene was identified. The same heterozygous mutation was detected in her two sons and two grandchildren. This mutation was not detected in 104 control alleles and was located at a site differing from any other reported mutations in the DUOX2 gene. CONCLUSIONS: This homozygous missense mutation can be associated with thyroid dysfunction and goiter formation of an enlarged thyroid gland.     

Genetics of specific phenotypes of congenital hypothyroidism: a population-based approach.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) may cause severe and irreversible neurologic and developmental abnormalities when not recognized early. Many millions of newborns have now been screened and many thousands of patients with CH have been identified. Approximately 80%-85% have defects of thyroid gland development, while 15%-20% have congenital errors of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. An entire population screened for CH over a long period of time, was studied in the present report, using a population-based approach. In particular, two CH phenotypes, both presenting with in situ thyroid gland (patients with either goiter or with thyroid gland volume ranging from normal to hypoplasic) were analyzed. Mutations were searched in some of the most likely candidate genes: thyroperoxidase (TPO) in patients with CH goiter, Pax8 and thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) in the other group. In the former group (n = 8), four TPO gene mutations were identified in three patients. One patient was a compound heterozygous. In two cases an already described mutation (1277(insGGCC)) was present; in two other cases mutations not previously described (1996(G-->T) and 2295(G-->A)), which induced aminoacid variations with a Glu --> Stop and Val --> Ile changes, respectively, were identified. In all patients mutations were inherited from one of the parents. In the case of the compound heterozygous patient, one mutation was inherited from the mother (1277(insGGCC)) and the other from the father (1996(G-->T), Glu --> Stop). In the latter group (n = 8), a patient with a 16-base pair C(T)(13)CC deletion in TSHR gene intron 8, 42-bp distal to exon/intron 8 splice junction, was identified. No mutation was identified in Pax8 gene.     

Two compound heterozygous mutations (c.215delA/c.2422T-->C and c.387delC/c.1159G-->A) in the thyroid peroxidase gene responsible for congenital goitre and iodide organification defect

BACKGROUND: Iodide organification defects are frequently but not always associated with mutations in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene and characterized by a positive perchlorate discharge test. These mutations phenotypically produce a congenital goitrous hypothyroidism, with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. OBJECTIVES: In the present study we extended our initial molecular studies in six unrelated patients heterozygous for the TPO mutations, in order to identify the second mutation in this autosomal recessive disease. METHODS: The promoter and the complete coding regions of the human TPO and DUOXA2 genes, along with the flanking regions of each intron were analysed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Four different inactivating TPO mutations were identified in two patients: two novel mutations (c.215delA [p.Q72fsX86] and c.1159G-->A [p.G387R]) and two previously reported (c.387delC [p.N129fsX208] and c.2422T-->C [p.C808R]), confirming the inheritance of two different compound heterozygous mutations, c.215delA/c.2422T-->C and c.387delC/c.1159G-->A. The remaining four patients did not show additional inactivating mutations in the TPO gene and all had only the wild type sequencing in the DUOXA2 gene. CONCLUSIONS: We have reported two patients with iodide organification defect caused by two compound heterozygous mutations, c.215delA/c.2422T-->C [p.Q72fsX86/p.C808R] and c.387delC/c.1159G-->A [p.N129fsX208/p.G387R], in the TPO gene and four patients with monoallelic TPO defect. Identification of the molecular basis of this disorder might be helpful for understanding the pathophysiology of congenital hypothyroidism.     

Monoallelic expression of mutant thyroid peroxidase allele causing total iodide organification defect

Mutations in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene lead to severe congenital hypothyroidism due to total iodide organification defect (TIOD). According to the recessive mode of inheritance, patients are homozygous or compound heterozygous for gene mutations. However, about 17% of cases with typical phenotype harbor a single TPO-mutated allele. We present a TIOD family in which the three affected siblings had a single genomic TPO mutation (R693W) inherited from the unaffected father. Other mutations were not found, although all TPO coding exons and exon/intron boundaries were sequenced. Eleven different polymorphisms were found in hetero- or homozygosity in all family members. On the contrary, using retrotranscribed thyroid tissue RNA, all heterozygous polymorphisms and the mutation were homozygous. The distribution of the polymorphisms indicated that only the mutant paternal allele is transcribed at the thyroid tissue level. We excluded the presence of major deletions involving the maternal chromosome at 2p25 and of maternal imprinting or mutations in part of the regulatory regions of the gene. In summary, we report one family with TIOD due to monoallelic expression of a mutant TPO allele in the thyroid. This mechanism might be generally involved in TIOD cases with a single TPO-mutated allele.     

甲状腺过氧化物酶基因c.2268dupT突变与甲状腺结节的相关性研究

目的 探讨先天性甲状腺功能减退症(先天性甲减)患者及其家系成员发生甲状腺结节与突变位点的关系.方法 58例先天性甲减患者入选,提取外周血白细胞基因组DNA,根据甲状腺功能及超声检查结果选择靶基因.PCR扩增甲状腺过氧化物酶(TPO)、双氧化酶2(DOUX2)、双氧化酶成熟因子2(DOUXA2)、促甲状腺激素受体(TSHR)、钠/碘协同转运体(NIS)基因的所有外显子,对纯化PCR产物进行测序.发现突变后对其家系成员进行筛查.患者及家系成员行甲状腺功能和99mTc甲状腺扫描或超声检查,然后分析5个基因的突变位点与甲状腺结节的关系.结果 16例先证者为复合杂合子或纯合子,其中10例为TPO基因突变,含c.2268dupT突变者6例.37例家系成员为杂合突变,其中TPO基因突变25例.TPO基因c.2268dupT突变先证者及杂合携带者共20例,其中12例并发甲状腺结节.与其他所有突变位点组相比,c.2268dupT突变组的甲状腺结节患病率较高,差异有统计学意义(x2=13.545,P ＜0.01).结论 TPO基因c.2268dupT突变为高频突变,该突变携带者发生甲状腺结节危险性较高.     

Goitrous congenital hypothyroidism and hearing impairment associated with mutations in the TPO and SLC26A4/PDS genes

CONTEXT: Pendred syndrome (PS) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) deficiency are autosomal-recessive disorders that result in thyroid dyshormonogenesis. They share congenital hypothyroidism, goiter, and an iodide organification defect as common features. Whereas the hallmark of PS is sensorineural deafness, other forms of congenital hypothyroidism may also lead to hearing impairment. Therefore, a definite diagnosis may be difficult and require molecular genetic analyses. CASE REPORT: The propositus presented at birth with primary hypothyroidism and goiter. He also had congenital bilateral moderate hearing loss, and PS was suspected. METHODS: We sequenced the SLC26A4/PDS and TPO genes in the propositus and tested familial segregation of mutations in all available family members who were phenotypically normal. The functional consequences of the identified pendrin mutation (p.R776C) were studied in vitro. RESULTS: Sequencing of the SLC26A4/PDS gene revealed a single monoallelic missense mutation in the propositus (p.R776C). This mutation, which was inherited from his unaffected mother, has previously been identified in an individual with deafness and an enlarged vestibular aqueduct. Sequencing of the TPO gene revealed compound heterozygosity for a novel nonsense mutation (p.Q235X) and a known missense mutation (p.Y453D). The mutant pendrin (p.R776C) retained its ability to transport iodide in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the propositus carries three sequence variants in two genes: a monoallelic SLC26A4/PDS sequence variant and compound heterozygous TPO mutations. Our study illustrates that if only a single heterozygous SLC26A4/PDS mutation is found in a patient with goiter and deafness, other genetic explanations should be considered.     

Thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in euthyroid subjects

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is a key enzyme in the formation of thyroid hormones and a major autoantigen in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Titers of TPO antibodies also correlate with the degree of lymphocytic infiltration in euthyroid subjects, and they are frequently present in euthyroid subjects (prevalence 12-26%). Even within the normal range for thyrotropin (TSH), TPO antibody titers correlate with TSH levels, suggesting that their presence heralds impending thyroid failure. Assays for serum TPO antibodies have become much more sensitive, and very low titers can be found in virtually all subjects. However, titers above an assay-dependent cut-off are a clear risk factor for hypothyroidism; in the Whickham survey the annual risk of developing hypothyroidism in TPO-positive women with normal thyrotropin levels was 2.1%. Measuring TPO antibodies in euthyroid subjects can be used to identify subjects with increased risk for hypothyroidism: e.g. as triage to measure thyrotropin. This could be done in women who wish to become pregnant and those with an increased risk per se who are pregnant (to predict first trimester hypothyroidism, and postpartum thyroid dysfunction), patients with other autoimmune diseases, subjects on amiodarone, lithium, or interferon-alpha, and in relatives of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.     

Structural analysis of the thyrotropin receptor in four patients with congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid hypoplasia.

Sporadic congenital hypothyroidism is most commonly caused by developmental abnormalities of the thyroid gland. More rarely, it is due to defects in gene products involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis or thyroid hormone synthesis. Loss of function mutations in the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor have been shown to result in resistance to biologically active TSH. In complete resistance to TSH, the thyroid gland is hypoplastic and unable to synthesize and secrete sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. In partial resistance, referred to as euthyroid hyperthyrotropinemia, the size of the gland and the thyroid hormone levels are normal at the expense of an elevated TSH. Four patients with sporadic congenital hypothyroidism and properly located hypoplastic thyroid glands were included in this study. Serum TSH concentrations were 150 mU/L or higher, serum thyroglobulin levels were within normal limits (6.1 to 8.2 ng/mL; normal range: 2.1 to 32 ng/mL), and thyroid autoantibodies were absent. The coding region of the TSHbeta subunit gene, the TSH receptor gene, and exons 8 and 9 of Gsalpha were analyzed by direct sequencing and found to be normal in all patients. One patient was heterozygous for a G to A transition in the TSHbeta gene resulting in a substitution of alanine by threonine at position -7 of the signal peptide. This substitution was also found in her euthyroid father. In addition, Southern analysis of the TSH receptor gene excluded major structural alterations. These findings support previous reports that indicate that TSH resistance is genetically heterogeneous. In addition to mutations in the TSH receptor or the Gsalpha genes, other genetic defects can lead to an identical phenotype. These observations also suggest that TSH receptor mutations might be a relatively rare cause of congenital thyroid hypoplasia.