title: Enhanced cAMP accumulation by the human thyrotropin receptor variant with the Pro52Thr substitution in the extracellular domain.
abstract: Recently, a naturally occurring variant of the human thyrotropin receptor with a Pro52Thr substitution in the N-terminal extracellular domain of the receptor has been identified. To determine the functional significance of this substitution, cDNAs of wild-type and variant thyrotropin receptors were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The Pro52Thr substitution did not affect synthesis and membrane localization of the receptor, as evidenced by 125I-thyrotropin binding analysis to intact cells. The variant receptor and the wild-type receptor were expressed in equivalent numbers and displayed identical binding affinity for thyrotropin. Strikingly, thyrotropin increased cAMP accumulation to a much greater extent in cells expressing the variant receptor as compared to the wild-type receptor-expressing cells. Basal and cholera toxin-stimulated or forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were not different. It is concluded that the Pro52Thr substitution in the N-terminal region of the human thyrotropin receptor produces a receptor protein with enhanced coupling to cAMP production. This naturally occurring hyperactive thyrotropin receptor may participate in hyperthyroidism of patients with Graves' disease.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagner
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Bohr
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bogatkewitsch
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jakobs
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Van Koppen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D017354:Point Mutation; D011392:Proline; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013912:Threonine
chemical_list: D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin; D013912:Threonine; D011392:Proline; D000242:Cyclic AMP