RESUMEN
Corticotroph-derived glycoprotein hormone (CGH), also referred to as thyrostimulin, is a noncovalent heterodimer of glycoprotein hormone alpha 2 (GPHA2) and glycoprotein hormone beta 5 (GPHB5). Here, we demonstrate that both subunits of CGH are expressed in the corticotroph cells of the human anterior pituitary, as well as in skin, retina, and testis. CGH activates the TSH receptor (TSHR); (125)I-CGH binding to cells expressing TSHR is saturable, specific, and of high affinity. In competition studies, unlabeled CGH is a potent competitor for (125)I-TSH binding, whereas unlabeled TSH does not compete for (125)I-CGH binding. Binding and competition analyses are consistent with the presence of two binding sites on the TSHR transfected baby hamster kidney cells, one that can interact with either TSH or CGH, and another that binds CGH alone. Transgenic overexpression of GPHB5 in mice produces elevations in serum T(4) levels, reductions in body weight, and proptosis. However, neither transgenic overexpression of GPHA2 nor deletion of GPHB5 produces an overt phenotype in mice. In vivo administration of CGH to mice produces a dose-dependent hyperthyroid phenotype including elevation of T(4) and hypertrophy of cells within the inner adrenal cortex. However, the distinctive expression patterns and binding characteristics of CGH suggest that it has endogenous biological roles that are discrete from those of TSH.
Asunto(s)
Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Receptores de Tirotropina/metabolismo , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Unión Competitiva , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Glicoproteínas/análisis , Glicoproteínas/genética , Glicoproteínas/farmacología , Humanos , Hipertrofia , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Hormonas Peptídicas/análisis , Hormonas Peptídicas/metabolismo , Adenohipófisis/química , Adenohipófisis/metabolismo , Retina/química , Retina/metabolismo , Piel/química , Piel/metabolismo , Testículo/química , Testículo/metabolismo , Glándula Tiroides/efectos de los fármacos , Glándula Tiroides/patología , Tiroxina/sangre , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
Hypothermia improves resistance to ischemia in the cardioplegia-arrested heart. This adaptive process produces changes in specific signaling pathways for mitochondrial proteins and heat-shock response. To further test for hypothermic modulation of other signaling pathways such as apoptosis, we used various molecular techniques, including cDNA arrays. Isolated rabbit hearts were perfused and exposed to ischemic cardioplegic arrest for 2 h at 34 degrees C [ischemic group (I); n = 13] or at 30 degrees C before and during ischemia [hypothermic group (H); n = 12]. Developed pressure, the maximum first derivative of left ventricular pressure, oxygen consumption, and pressure-rate product (P < 0.05) recovery were superior in H compared with in I during reperfusion. mRNA expression for the mitochondrial proteins, adenine translocase and the beta-subunit of F1-ATPase, was preserved by hypothermia. cDNA arrays revealed that ischemia altered expression of 13 genes. Hypothermia modified this response to ischemia for eight genes, six related to apoptosis. A marked, near fivefold increase in transformation-related protein 53 in I was virtually abrogated in H. Hypothermia also increased expression for the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 homologue Bcl-x relative to I but decreased expression for the proapoptotic Bcl-2 homologue bak. These data imply that hypothermia modifies signaling pathways for apoptosis and suggest possible mechanisms for hypothermia-induced myocardial protection.