TSH Binding Sites Research Articles

Thyrotropin receptor antagonists and inverse agonists, and their potential application to thyroid diseases.

The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) plays critical roles in thyroid growth and function and in the pathogenesis of several thyroid diseases including Graves' hyperthyroidism and ophthalmopathy, non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. Several low-molecular weight compounds (LMWCs) and anti-TSHR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with receptor antagonistic and inverse agonistic activities have been reported. The former binds to the pocket formed by the receptor transmembrane bundle, and the latter to the extracellular TSH binding site. Both are effective inhibitors of TSH/thyroid stimulating antibody-stimulated cAMP and/or hyaluronic acid production in TSHR-expressing cells. Anti-insulin-like growth factor 1 inhibitors are also found to inhibit TSHR signaling. Each agent has advantages and disadvantages; for example, mAbs have a higher affinity and longer half-life but are more costly than LMWCs. At present, mAbs appear most promising, yet the development of more efficacious LMWCs is desirable. These agents are anticipated to be efficacious not only for the above-mentioned diseases but also for resistance to thyroid hormone and have utility for thyroid cancer radionuclide scintigraphy/therapy as a new theranostic.

Antithyroid Drugs Inactivate TSH Binding to the TSH Receptor by their Reducing Action.

(1) ATDs was pre-incubated with hTSHR coated tube for 1- 4 h, washed free of ATDs, and then 125I-bTSH binding to hTSHR after 1 h incubation was examined. MMI (10-40 mM) decreased 125I-bTSH binding in a dose-dependent manner and binding decreased proportionally as preincubation time increased from 1 to 4 h. PTU (10mM) slightly decreased binding, When reducing agents were pre-incubated with hTSHR for 2 h, 125I-bTSH binding similarly decreased. (2) Porcine thyroid membrane was pre-incubated with both agents for 2 h. Then, the washed or unwashed membrane was incubated with 125I-bTSH for 1 h. 125I-bTSH binding in both methods decreased. (3) When the effect of ATDs or reducing agents on the biological activity of 125I-bTSH and thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) was examined after gel-filtration of 125I-bTSH- and TSAb- treated with both reagents for 1 h, no inactivation was observed. (4) ATDs showed similar reducing action as reducing agents because iodine (I+) was reduced to I- by ATDs. ATDs inactivate the TSH-binding site of TSHR by reduction, although ATDs do not inactivate bTSH and TSAb activity. This suggests that TSAb would not stimulate the thyroid due to the inactivation of the TSHR when ATDs are administered to patients with Graves' disease.

Identification of Novel TSH Interaction Sites by Systematic Binding Analysis of the TSHR Hinge Region

In which ways the binding of the thyroid stimulating hormone to the extracellular domain of its receptor leads to activation of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) is currently only incompletely understood. It is known that TSH binding to the TSHR depends on the interaction with the leucine-rich repeat and sulfation at Y385 of the hinge region. Recently it was also shown that electrostatic interactions between positive charges of bovine (b) TSH and the residues E297, E303, and D382 of the hinge region contribute to hormone-TSHR binding. After the identification of these first TSH binding sites in the hinge region, it was apparent that multiple positions in this region remained to be characterized for their roles in hormone binding. The goal of this study was therefore to clarify whether further contact points of TSH exist in the structurally undefined hinge region. Therefore, we systematically analyzed 41 uncharacterized residues of the TSHR hinge region as single mutants regarding differences between cell surface expression and bTSH binding. Indeed, we identified further amino acids of the hinge region with influence on bTSH binding. Some of these contribute to a new binding domain from human TSHR position F381 to D386. These hinge mutants with influence on bTSH binding were also analyzed for binding of the superagonistic human TSH analog TR1401 demonstrating that these positions also have an impact on TR1401 binding. Moreover, side chain variations revealed that different amino acid properties like the negative charge, aromatic as well as hydrophilic characteristics, contribute to maintain the hormone-TSHR hinge interaction.

Evidence That the Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) Receptor Transmembrane Domain Influences Kinetics of TSH Binding to the Receptor Ectodomain

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-induced reduction in ligand binding affinity (negative cooperativity) requires TSH receptor (TSHR) homodimerization, the latter involving primarily the transmembrane domain (TMD) but with the extracellular domain (ECD) also contributing to this association. To test the role of the TMD in negative cooperativity, we studied the TSHR ECD tethered to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that multimerizes despite the absence of the TMD. Using the infinite ligand dilution approach, we confirmed that TSH increased the rate of dissociation (k(off)) of prebound (125)I-TSH from CHO cells expressing the TSH holoreceptor. Such negative cooperativity did not occur with TSHR ECD-GPI-expressing cells. However, even in the absence of added TSH, (125)I-TSH dissociated much more rapidly from the TSHR ECD-GPI than from the TSH holoreceptor. This phenomenon, suggesting a lower TSH affinity for the former, was surprising because both the TSHR ECD and TSH holoreceptor contain the entire TSH-binding site, and the TSH binding affinities for both receptor forms should, theoretically, be identical. In ligand competition studies, we observed that the TSH binding affinity for the TSHR ECD-GPI was significantly lower than that for the TSH holoreceptor. Further evidence for a difference in ligand binding kinetics for the TSH holoreceptor and TSHR ECD-GPI was obtained upon comparison of the TSH K(d) values for these two receptor forms at 4 °C versus room temperature. Our data provide the first evidence that the wild-type TSHR TMD influences ligand binding affinity for the ECD, possibly by altering the conformation of the closely associated hinge region that contributes to the TSH-binding site.

Identification of key amino acid residues in a thyrotropin receptor monoclonal antibody epitope provides insight into its inverse agonist and antagonist properties.

CS-17 is a murine monoclonal antibody to the human TSH receptor (TSHR) with both inverse agonist and antagonist properties. Thus, in the absence of ligand, CS-17 reduces constitutive TSHR cAMP generation and also competes for TSH binding to the receptor. The present data indicate that for both of these functions, the monovalent CS-17 Fab (50 kDa) behaves identically to the intact, divalent IgG molecule (150 kDa). The surprising observation that CS-17 competes for TSH binding to the human but not porcine TSHR enabled identification of a number of amino acids in its epitope. Replacement of only three human TSHR residues (Y195, Q235, and S243) with the homologous porcine TSHR residues totally abolishes CS-17 binding as detected by flow cytometry. TSH binding is unaffected. Of these residues, Y195 is most important, with Q235 and S243 contributing to CS-17 binding to a much lesser degree. The functional effects of CS-17 IgG and Fab on constitutive cAMP generation by porcinized human TSHR confirm the CS-17 binding data. The location of TSHR amino acid residues Y195, Q235, and S243 deduced from the crystal structure of the FSH receptor leucine-rich domain provides valuable insight into the CS-17 and TSH binding sites. Whereas hormone ligands bind primarily to the concave surface of the leucine-rich domains, a major portion of the CS-17 epitope lies on the opposite convex surface with a minor component in close proximity to known TSH binding residues.

Reactivity of thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies with the thyrotropin receptor on western blots.

Affinity purified recombinant human thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) was run on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gels and subjected to a renaturing and blotting procedure. Twenty sera from thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies (TRAb)-positive patients with a history of hyperthyroidism and 20 sera with high levels of TSH blocking activity were analyzed. Four of 20 sera with blocking-type of TRAb (i.e., TSH antagonist activity) were able to recognize the mature, fully glycosylated 120-kd form of the receptor on blots of gels run under reducing conditions. No sera recognized the 100-kd high mannose precursor form of the TSHR. Three of the four recognized a 74-kd band and 2 of the 4 recognized a 50-kd band. These bands are probably proteolytic cleavage fragments of the mature 120-kd TSHR. In the absence of reducing agent the same 4 of 20 sera described above together with a further serum sample (i.e., 5/20 in total) reacted with the 120-kd form of the receptor. No specific reaction with the TSHR was observed on Western blots with the remaining 15 sera with TSH blocking activity, nor with 20 sera from patients with a history of hyperthyroidism, nor with sera from 10 healthy blood donors, 10 Hashimoto sera (negative for TRAb) and 10 systemic lupus erythematosus sera. No clear differences were observed in the TRAb positive sera that were reactive and nonreactive on Western blots in terms of their ability to inhibit TSH binding or to immunoprecipitate 125I-labeled TSHR. Overall, our results indicate that the mature 120-kd form of the TSHR that is principally responsible for binding TSH is also responsible for binding TRAb (when this binding can be detected). These observations together with immunoprecipitation and TSH binding inhibition studies, emphasize the close relationship between the receptor's binding sites for TSH and TRAb.

Epitope analysis of the human thyrotropin (TSH) receptor using monoclonal antibodies.

A panel of thyrotropin (TSH) receptor (TSHR) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), produced using highly purified Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-produced TSHR, has been used to study TSHR structure. All 41 mAbs recognized full-length TSHR containing complex carbohydrate (120 kDa), and 40 mAbs recognized full-length precursor-containing high mannose sugars (100 kDa). The mAbs also recognized TSHR cleavage products with three types of reactivity: type 1 mAbs reacting with bands at 70 kDa and 58 kDa, type 2 with bands at 70 kDa and 52 kDa, and type 3 with bands at 52 kDa and 40 kDa. Deglycosylation studies showed that the 70-kDa and 58-kDa bands contained complex carbohydrate, whereas the 52-kDa and 40-kDa bands were unglycosylated. These results are consistent with TSHR cleavage occurring at two sites. Cleavage at both sites gives rise to glycosylated A subunit (58 kDa) corresponding to the extracellular domain of the receptor and nonglycosylated B subunit (40 kDa) corresponding to the C-terminal transmembrane domain. Cleavage only at site 1 gives rise to the 58-kDa A subunit and a large B subunit (52 kDa). Cleavage only at site 2 gives rise to a large A subunit (70 kDa) and the B subunit (40 kDa). Four of the mAbs inhibited 125I-labeled TSH binding to solubilized full-length TSHR. TSH binding was inhibited by (a) two type 3 mAbs reactive with the N-terminal region of the B subunit (epitopes between amino acids 381 and 385 and between 380 and 418, respectively) and (b) two type 2 mAbs reactive with epitopes on the A subunit (between amino acids 246 and 260). These results together with previous studies on the direct binding of TSH to the TSHR A subunit suggest that at least two distinct regions of the TSHR sequence, including one region on the A subunit and one region on the B subunit, fold together to form part of a complex TSH binding site.

The Interaction of TSH Receptor Autoantibodies with 125I-Labelled TSH Receptor

Detergent-solubilized porcine TSH receptor (TSHR) has been labeled with 125I using a monoclonal antibody to the C-terminal domain of the receptor. The ability of sera containing TSHR autoantibody to immunoprecipitate the labeled receptor was then investigated. Sera negative for TSHR autoantibody (as judged by assays based on inhibition of labeled TSH binding to detergent-solubilized porcine TSHR) immunoprecipitated about 4% of the labeled receptor, whereas sera with high levels of receptor autoantibody immunoprecipitated more than 25% of the labeled receptor. The ability to immunoprecipitate labeled TSHR correlated well with ability of the sera to inhibit labeled TSH binding to the receptor (r = 0.92; n = 63), and this is consistent with TSHR autoantibodies in these samples being directed principally to a region of the receptor closely related to the TSH binding site. Preincubation of labeled TSHR with unlabeled TSH before reaction with test sera inhibited the immunoprecipitation reaction, providing further evidence for a close relationship between the TSHR autoantibody binding site(s) and the TSH binding site. This was the case whether the sera had TSH agonist (i.e., thyroid stimulating) or TSH antagonist (i.e., blocking) activities, thus, providing no clear evidence for different regions of the TSHR being involved in forming the binding site(s) for TSHR autoantibodies with stimulating and with blocking activities. The ability of TSHR autoantibodies to stimulate cyclic AMP production in isolated porcine thyroid cells was compared with their ability to immunoprecipitate labeled porcine TSHR. A significant correlation was observed (r = 0.58; n = 50; P < 0.001) and the correlation was improved when stimulation of cyclic AMP production was compared with inhibition of labeled TSH binding to porcine TSHR (r = 0.76). Overall, our results indicate that TSHR autoantibodies bind principally to a region on the TSHR closely related to the TSH binding site, and this seems to be the case whether the autoantibodies act as TSH agonists or antagonists.

Immunoglobulins of untreated Graves' patients with or without thyrotropin receptor antibody (determined by porcine thyrocytes) universally elicit potent thyroid hormone-releasing activity in cultured human thyroid follicles.

Thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb), comprising thyrotropin binding inhibitor immunoglobulin (TBII) and thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb), both of which are conventionally determined using porcine thyrocytes in Japan, is not always positive in patients with untreated Graves' disease. To elucidate whether immunoglobulin G (IgG) obtained from TBII/TSAb-positive (+) or negative (-) Graves' disease patients are responsible for hyperthyroidism, we investigated the thyroid hormone-releasing activity (THRA) of these IgGs in human thyroid follicles in suspension culture, in which bovine thyrotropin (bTSH) is detectable even at 0.1 microU/mL. Human thyroid follicles, obtained from Graves' disease patients by subtotal thyroidectomy, were cultured in serum-free F-12/RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with bTSH or purified Graves' IgGs. After preculturing for 3 days, 125I was added, and after an additional 3 days of culture, 1251 incorporated into the thyroid follicles and organic 125I released into the culture medium (mainly 1251 -T4 + 125I-T3) were counted. Seventy TBII(+)/TSAb( + )-, 3 TBII( + )/TSAb( - )-, and 3 TBII( - )/TSAb( + )- patients with untreated Graves' disease were all positive for THRA, which became undetectable in spontaneous remission obtained after several years of medical treatment. The THRA was equivalent to 0.8-230 microU/mL bTSH. Furthermore, 2 TBII(-)/TSAb(-) patients were significantly positive for THRA. This TBII(-)/TSAb(-)IgG stimulated human thyrocytes to produce cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and this was partially inhibited by antihuman IgG antibody. The THRA induced by TBII(+)/TSAb(+) IgGs as well as TBII(-)/TSAb(-) IgG was inhibited by blocking-type TRAb obtained from TBII(+) patients with myxedema. There was a significant correlation between THRA and TSAb. These in vitro findings suggest that all IgGs obtained from untreated Graves' patients (n = 78) elicit potent THRA in human thyroid follicles in suspension culture. Because the TBII(-)/TSAb(-) IgGs can stimulate cAMP production in human but not in porcine thyrocytes, they probably recognize epitope(s) of TSH-binding sites specific to the human thyrotropin (hTSH) receptor. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the thyroid gland of hyperthyroid Graves' patients is stimulated by IgG(s) equivalent to at least 0.8 microU/mL bTSH (about 5 microU/mL hTSH) in vitro.

Analysis of carbohydrate residues on recombinant human thyrotropin receptor.

An investigation of the sugar groups on recombinant human TSH receptors (TSHR) expressed in CHO-K1 cells and solubilized with detergents is described. Western blotting studies with TSHR monoclonal antibodies showed that the receptor was present principally as two bands with approximate molecular masses of 120 and 100 kDa. Further blotting studies using lectins and/or involving treatment with different glycosidases indicated that the 100-kDa band contained about 16 kDa of high mannose-type sugars, and the 120-kDa band contained about 33 kDa of complex-type sugars. It was possible to separate the 120- and 100-kDa components of the TSHRs by lectin affinity chromatography. In particular, Galanthus nivalis lectin, which binds high mannose-type sugars, bound the 100-kDa band, but not the 120-kDa band, whereas Datura stramonium lectin, which binds complex-type sugars, bound the 120-kDa band, but not the 100-kDa band. 125I-Labeled TSH binding studies with the various lectin column fractions showed that TSH-binding activity was principally associated with the complex-type sugar containing the 120-kDa form of the receptor rather than the high mannose-containing 100-kDa form. During peptide chain glycosylation, high mannose-type sugar residues are attached first and then modified by the formation of complex type structures to form the mature glycoprotein. Our data suggest that in the case of the TSH receptor, this type of posttranslational processing has an important role in forming the TSH-binding site.

Identification of an important thyrotrophin binding site on the human thyrotrophin receptor using monoclonal antibodies

A thyrotrophin (TSH) binding site has been identified on the extracellular domain of the human thyrotrophin receptor (hTSHR) using monoclonal antibodies that recognise the native hTSHR. These antibodies were produced by immunising BALB/c mice with denatured recombinant material, selected by their reaction with recombinant hTSHR expressed on heterologous cell lines using flow cytofluorimetric analysis, and characterised by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. The epitopes the monoclonal antibodies recognise were determined using multiple overlapping synthetic peptides. All of the antibodies reacted with epitopes within the region 335–390; these epitopes must be accessible on the external surface of the native hTSHR. None of the antibodies stimulated cAMP production of recombinant hTSHR cell lines. The epitopes of two antibodies (residues 337–342 and 355–358) are in the small peptide thought to be removed by proteolytic processing of hTSHR. A further five different antibodies (determined from their variable region sequences) all reacted with residues 381–384 emphasising the immunogenicity of this region. The functional importance of residues 381–384 as a TSH binding site was shown by the fact that some of these monoclonal antibodies caused inhibition of radiolabelled TSH binding of 80–90% at 1 μg/ml and greater than 50% inhibition at 0.1 μg/ml (0.65 nM—i.e. comparable in effectiveness with TSH itself). Residues 381–384 may form part of the target regions recognised by inhibitory autoantibodies found in Graves’ disease.

Understanding the thyrotropin receptor function—structure relationship

The thyrotropin (TSH) receptor (TSHR) is a key protein in the control of thyroid function and a major thyroid autoantigen. Recently, molecular cloning of the receptor has been carried out and we now review the impact of this work on our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the TSHR. Analysis of recombinant TSHR proteins expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems has indicated that post-translational processing is important for the formation of active receptors. Studies of TSHR glycosylation have shown that a 'mature' form of the receptor containing mainly complex-type sugar residues is principally involved in TSH and TSHR autoantibody (TRAb) binding. In addition, the processing of the TSHR peptide chain into two subunits observed with native TSHR has been confirmed using recombinant TSHR. However, despite considerable efforts in many laboratories, the binding site(s) for TSH and TRAb on the TSHR have not been well characterized as yet and lessons learned from the discovery of naturally occurring amino acid mutations of the TSHR confirm the complexity of the hormone and autoantibody binding sites. Future progress in producing large amounts of pure TSHR as well as monoclonal TRAbs, followed by crystallographic analysis of TSHR-TSH complexes and TSHR-TRAb complexes, should be helpful in providing a better insight into the relationship between TSHR structure and function.

Epitope-Tagging of a Functional Thyrotropin Receptor: Detection of the Native Receptor on Intact Cells

To facilitate immunological detection of thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), we inserted ac-mycepitope within the unique, 50 amino acid segment of the ectodomain (TSHRmyc). When stably expressed in 293 human embryonal kidney (HEK) cells, TSHRmyc demonstrated high affinity TSH binding and the ability to produce cAMP in response to TSH. Binding of themycmonoclonal antibody 9E10 to 293-TSHRmyc cells could be detected with [125I] anti-mouse IgG. No competition was observed between TSH and 9E10 binding to 293-TSHRmyc. Immunoprecipitation by 9E10 of TSHRmyc revealed TSHR forms of ∼95 and ∼100 kDa. Endoglycosidase digestion identified the ∼95 kDa species as the single chain precursor with high mannose carbohydrate. The ∼100 kDa single chain receptor contained mature, complex carbohydrate. No smaller species of TSHR subunits or proteolytic fragments was observed. Again TSH did not inhibit immunoprecipitation of TSHRmyc by 9E10. These data demonstrate that the normally functioningc-mycepitope-tagged TSHR can be detected directly and in native form with a readily available anti-myc9E10 and without the need for prior affinity capture. Lack of competition between 9E10 and TSH suggests that at least part of the 50 amino acid segment in TSHR ectodomain is not a TSH binding site. This epitope-tagged TSHR will be valuable for further studies on the synthesis and trafficking of TSHR.

Evidence for negative cooperativity among human thyrotropin receptors overexpressed in mammalian cells.

The complementary DNA for the human TSH receptor (TSHR) translated region was amplified in the genome of stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using a dihydrofolate reductase minigene. Immunoprecipitation of TSHR in whole cells precursor-labeled with [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine revealed an approximately 10-fold increase in TSHR expression in cells stabilized in 10,000 nM methotrexate (TSHR-10,000 cells) compared to cells with the same gene not subjected to amplification (TSHR-0 cells). Similarly, [125I]TSH cross-linking to the surface of intact CHO cells revealed a progressive increase in TSH-binding sites with dihydrofolate reductase minigene amplification, with a 12.8-fold increase in TSHR in TSHR-10,000 vs. TSHR-0 cells. Based on the known number of TSHR expressed by TSHR-0 cells, TSHR-10,000 express approximately 1.9 x 10(6) TSHR on their surface. Two ligand-TSHR complexes were evident under reducing conditions, representing the single chain holoreceptor of about 115 kDa and a dissociated A subunit of about 60 kDa. In the absence of TSH, basal cAMP levels in TSHR-10,000 cells were greater than those in TSHR-0 cells (6-fold in isotonic medium and 18.5-fold in hypotonic medium), indicating that the unliganded TSHR has significant constitutive activity. We assessed the kinetics of TSH binding to CHO cells overexpressing the TSHR using [125I]TSH in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled TSH as well as by attempted saturation with labeled ligand. Surprisingly, in contrast to TSHR-0 cells (Kd = approximately 5 x 10(-10) M), we observed progressively lower affinities for TSH binding by TSHR-800 cells (Kd = approximately 10(-9) M) and TSHR-10,000 cells (Kd = approximately 2 x 10(-9) M). In summary, we report a high level of expression of TSHR in CHO cells and confirm the high constitutive activity of the TSHR in the absence of ligand as well as the binding of TSH to the single subunit, uncleaved TSHR. Moreover, we found that a high level of expression is associated with apparent negative cooperativity among the TSHR in terms of their affinity for ligand.

Severe but not mild alterations of thyroid function modulate the density of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors in the rat thyroid gland.

TSH initiates its action by binding to specific membrane receptors' thyroid cells and induces activation of the adenylate cyclase-cAMP cascade. The factors involved in the regulation of TSH receptors are poorly known, except for the TSH dose-dependent regulatory effect. The fact that the thyroid gland of Graves' patients has a normal density of TSH receptors with suppressed TSH and high T4 and T3 levels suggests a modulatory role of thyroid hormones on TSH receptors. To evaluate this hypothesis, the density of TSH receptors and the activity of adenylate cyclase were determined in the thyroid membranes from hyperthyroid and hypothyroid adult male rats; they were rendered hyperthyroid either with bovine TSH, TRH, or T3 for 7 days and hypothyroid by propylthiouracil treatment or by hypophysectomy. NaCl was given to the control group. Plasma T4, T3, and TSH were also quantified. Bovine TSH and TRH treatments induced mild hyperthyroidism with a small goiter and a 50% reduction in the density of TSH receptors due to hyperstimulation of the gland by either exogenous or endogenous high TSH levels. Severe hyperthyroidism caused by T3 treatment resulted in low T4, high T3, and suppressed TSH thyrocyte stimulation; it was associated with a significant increase in the number of TSH receptors (29.6 +/- 2.3 vs. control 17.9 +/- 1.7 mU TSH/mg protein). These last results suggest a putative positive effect of T3 on TSH receptors. To confirm this effect, hypothyroid rats were investigated. Severe primary hypothyroidism due to propylthiouracil treatment was associated with a large goiter, high plasma TSH levels (11.8 +/- 1.2 vs. control 1.5 +/- 0.1 mU TSH/ml), low plasma T4 and T3, and a 70% reduction in TSH receptors, confirming the down-regulatory effect of high TSH on the thyroid cell. However, in hypophysectomized rats, a 45% reduction in the density of TSH receptors was also observed in the absence of TSH. Injections of either TSH or T3 to these hypophysectomized rats restored a normal number of TSH-binding sites, and simultaneous TSH and T3 treatments resulted in a mildly additive effect in the number of TSH receptors, which was slightly greater than that of the controls. No important changes were found in the adenylate cyclase activity in the thyroid membrane preparations from hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats despite variations in the density of TSH receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Delineation of amino acid residues within hTSHr 256-275 that participate in hormone binding.

The amino acid sequence 256-275 of the human thyrotropin (TSH) receptor extracellular domain has previously been shown to participate in a high affinity TSH binding site by a synthetic peptide approach as well as by site-directed mutagenesis. To further investigate this binding site, we synthesized a series of peptides with alanine substitutions for each residue in the native sequence. Peptides were also synthesized containing truncations or deletions of the native sequence. Each peptide was tested for its ability to inhibit 125I-bTSH binding to porcine thyroid membrane preparations, and the concentration at which 50% inhibition of binding occurred was determined (EC50). Alanine substitution at residues Tyr258, Cys262, Cys263, Phe265, Lys266, Asn267, Lys269, Lys270, and Arg272 all resulted in statistically significant decreases in activity when compared to the native sequence (p < 0.05). Alanine substitution of the remaining residues did not alter their activity. Comparison of this sequence with the corresponding sequences of the remaining glycoprotein hormone receptors (human lutropin and human follitropin receptors) reveals that these residues lie within one of the most highly conserved regions of the extracellular domain. We conclude that 9 specific amino acids within the sequence 256-275 of hTSHr (-Y--CC-FKN-KK-R--) participate in the interaction of the hTSHr-extracellular domain with TSH. This may represent a site in which the nonconserved residues are involved in the binding of the beta-subunit and the conserved residues are involved in the binding of the common alpha-subunit or a region of the beta-subunit that is common to all glycoprotein hormones.

Visualization of the thyrotropin receptor on the cell surface by potent autoantibodies.

In autoimmune thyroid disease there are various autoantibodies (Ab) to thyroid cell components. Among the best characterized are those to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and to the thyrotropin receptor (TRAb). While TPOAb were successfully used to visualize TPO in human thyroid cells (HTC) and a rat thyroid cell line (FRTL5) by indirect immunofluorescence (IFL), similar attempts with TRAb and thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) failed. This could have been due to either relatively low serum levels of TRAb and/or low number of TSHR on thyroid cells. To test these hypotheses, we estimated the number of TSH binding sites on HTC, FRTL5 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, transfected with cloned human TSHR (JP-26 cells), and for IFL staining employed 3 sera with the highest potency TRAb in our possession. A clear granular surface staining was detected on all 3 cell types with two sera; with the third, the least potent, no staining was seen. The density of staining paralleled the estimated number of TSHR per cell, i.e., JP-26 > FRTL5 > HTC. TSHR was also visualized on transiently transfected cells (COS-7-TSHR), facilitating quantitation of transfection. Our results suggest that the limiting factor in direct visualization of the TSHR is the TRAb concentration.

Demonstration of thyrotropin binding sites in orbital connective tissue: Possible role in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

The thyrotropin (TSH) receptor is implicated in the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, but its presence has not been demonstrated in orbital tissues. Binding of 125I-TSH to porcine orbital connective tissue and thyroid membranes was studied. At pH 7.4 125I-TSH bound to thyroid membranes with high affinity, but not to orbital connective tissue membranes. At pH 5.2, binding of 125I-TSH was evident on thyroid and orbital connective tissue membranes, although of low affinity. Low affinity binding at pH 5.2, could also be demonstrated on orbital fibroblasts; binding to membranes prepared from extraocular muscle, or from abdominal adipose tissue was not detected. Immunoglobulin G from healthy subjects (n = 17) and patients with ophthalmopathy (n = 19) were tested for inhibition of 125I-TSH binding to membranes. As anticipated patients' IgG exhibited greater inhibition than normal controls with thyroid membranes at pH 7.4 (p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained with thyroid membranes (p < 0.05), and orbital connective tissue membranes at pH 5.2 (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were found when percentage inhibition by IgG was compared between: thyroid membranes at pH 7.4 and thyroid membranes at pH 5.2, orbital connective tissue membranes at pH 5.2 and thyroid membranes at pH 7.4, and orbital connective tissue membranes at pH 5.2 and thyroid membranes at pH 5.2. A low affinity TSH-binding site is present in orbital connective tissue, and is recognized by IgG's from patients with ophthalmopathy which suggests that TSH receptor antibodies may target the orbit.

High affinity binding of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid-stimulating autoantibody for the TSH receptor extracellular domain.

There have been some controversial data as to whether the extracellular domain of the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is sufficient for constituting the high affinity binding site(s) for TSH and thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb). The present study was, therefore, designed to further evaluate the functional significance of the TSHR extracellular domain. The new chimeric receptor (designated TSHEX-LHTMR) consisting of the human (h) TSHR extracellular domain and the rat lutropin/choriogonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor transmembrane region was constructed, stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and tested for its abilities to bind TSH and hCG and to increase intracellular cAMP production in response to hormone and TSAb stimulation. The binding affinity for TSH and the ability to produce cAMP in response to TSH stimulation in the chimeric receptor TSHEX-LHTMR was comparable to those in the wild-type (wt) TSHR (Kd = approximately 0.3 nM and EC50 = approximately 3 nM). The TSHEX-LHTMR and the wt-TSHR also demonstrated similar TSAb activity. However, the TSHEX-LHTMR, unlike the wt-LH/CGR, did not bind hCG or respond to hCG stimulation. These results demonstrate that the functional properties of the TSHR are not affected by the replacement of the receptor transmembrane region with the corresponding region of the LH/CGR, suggesting, together with other previous reports, that the TSHR extracellular domain appears to be of primary importance for the high affinity binding for TSH and TSAb, although the TSHR transmembrane region can contribute to high affinity binding and also bioactivity for TSH and TSAb.

Age-related changes of TSH receptors in thyroid tissues obtained from euthyroid patients

The results obtained in the comparative study of age-related changes in TSH binding by thyroid tissues of euthyroid patients indicated that the content of high affinity binding sites of TSH receptors is not significantly decreased during aging, while the level of low affinity binding sites is increased in thyroid tissues of aged people. However, the dissociation constant of low affinity binding sites for TSH is significantly increased in thyroid tissues of old patients, compared with middle-aged people. Further investigation of functional characteristics of observed changes in TSH receptors and their binding parameters will provide a better understanding of the mechanism involved in the regulation of thyroid gland function during the aging.