Anoctamin 1 is apically expressed on thyroid follicular cells and contributes to ATP- and calcium-activated iodide efflux.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Iodide efflux from thyroid cells into the follicular lumen is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, however, the pathways mediating this transport have only been partially identified. A calcium-activated pathway of iodide efflux has long been recognized, but its molecular identity unknown. Anoctamin 1 (ANO1) is a calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC), and this study aims to investigate its contribution to iodide fluxes in thyroid cells. METHODS: RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and live cell imaging with the fluorescent halide biosensor YFP-H148Q/I152L were used to study the expression, localization and function of ANO1 in thyroid cells. RESULTS: ANO1 mRNA was detected in human thyroid tissue and FRTL-5 thyrocytes, and ANO1 protein was localized to the apical membrane of follicular cells. ATP induced a transient loss of iodide from FRTL-5 cells that was dependent on the mobilization of intracellular calcium, and was inhibited by CaCC/ANO1 inhibitors and siRNA against ANO1. Calcium-activated iodide efflux was also observed in CHO cells over-expressing the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) and ANO1. CONCLUSION: ANO1 in thyrocytes functions as a calcium-activated channel mediating iodide efflux, and may contribute to the rapid delivery of iodide into the follicular lumen for the synthesis of thyroid hormones following activation by calcium-mobilizing stimuli.

Intracellular anion fluorescence assay for sodium/iodide symporter substrates.

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is primarily responsible for iodide accumulation in the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroid hormones; however, it can also transport other lyotropic anions in the thyroid gland and nonthyroid tissues. Some NIS substrates have important physiological or clinical roles, and others are environmental contaminants with health-related consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a yellow fluorescent protein variant, YFP-H148Q/I152L, as a biosensor to monitor the cellular uptake of NIS substrates, including thiocyanate (SCN(-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), chlorate (ClO(3)(-)), perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)), and perrhenate (ReO(4)(-)). The fluorescence of purified YFP-H148Q/I152L was suppressed by anions with an order of potency of ReO(4)(-)>ClO(4)(-)=I(-)=SCN(-)=ClO(3)(-)>NO(3)(-)≫Cl(-). Anions also suppressed the fluorescence of YFP-H148Q/I152L expressed in FRTL-5, a thyroid cell line with high NIS expression. Quantitation of intracellular concentrations revealed differences among anions in the affinity and maximal velocity of NIS-mediated uptake as well as in the rate constant for passive efflux. These results suggest that YFP-H148Q/I152L can serve as an intracellular biosensor of NIS-transported anions and may be useful to study the physiology of endogenous anions as well as the health-related consequences of environmental anions.