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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2020; 128(06/07): 383-387
DOI: 10.1055/a-1088-1187
Mini-Review

Noncanonical Action of Thyroid Hormone Receptors α and β

G. Sebastian Hönes
1   Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (G.S.H., D:G., L.C.M.), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
,
Daniela Geist
1   Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (G.S.H., D:G., L.C.M.), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
,
Lars C. Moeller
1   Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (G.S.H., D:G., L.C.M.), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Abstract

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for the regulation of many physiological processes, especially growth, organ development, energy metabolism and cardiovascular effects. TH acts via the TH receptors (TR) α and β. By binding to thyroid hormone responsive elements (TREs) on the DNA, TRs regulate expression of TH target genes. Thus, TRs are mainly characterized as ligand dependent transcription factors and regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis is considered the canonical mode of TH/TR action. The demonstration that the ligand-bound TRs α and β also mediate activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway established noncanonical TH/TR action as an additional mode of TH signaling. Recently, TR mutant mouse models allowed to determine the underlying mode of TH/TR action, either canonical or noncanonical TH/TR signaling, for several physiological TH effects in vivo: Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis requires DNA-binding of TRβ, whereas hepatic triglyceride content appears to be regulated by noncanonical TRβ signaling. TRα mediated effects in bone development are dependent on DNA-binding, whereas several cardiovascular TRα effects are rapid and independent from DNA-binding. Therefore, noncanonical TH/TR action contributes to the overall effects of TH in physiology.

Key words

Thyroid hormone action - Thyroid hormone receptor - Noncanonical signaling - PI3K


Publication History

Received: 30 August 2019
Received: 03 December 2019

Accepted: 30 December 2019

Article published online:
24 April 2020

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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