Expression of Pendrin gene (SLC26A4) and protein in multinodular goiter

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression of the Pendrin gene (SLC26A4) and protein in multinodular goiter. Methods Thyroid tissues were obtained from 40 multinodular goiter patients undergoing surgery while the control group were obtained from 40 normal thyroid tissues. RT-PCR was used to test SLC26A4 gene while western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to test Pendrin protein expression and distribution. Results SLC26A4 mRNA expression in multinodular goiter tissue was significantly increased in comparison with normal nodular tissues (t=2.663, P=0.011) . Pendrin protein expression in multinodular goiter group was higher than that in normal tissue (t=2.286, P=0.026) . The immunohistochemistry results showed that the Pendrin protein in multinodular goiter was mainly located in cytoplasm. There was positive expression in 24 patients (60%) in multinodular goiter group, while it was in 14 patients (35%) in the normal control group. The difference was significant (χ2=5.013, P=0.025) . Pendrin protein mainly expressed in cytoplasm in multinodular goiter tissue while it was mainly in cytomembrane in the normal control group. Conclusion SLC26A4 mRNA and its coding protein Pendrin expression are increased in multinodular goiter group, and mainly located in cytoplasm, indicating that iodide transporter function may be damaged when multinodular goiter occurs. Key words: Multinodular goiter; Sodium/iodide symporters; Pendrin protein