title: Targeting the thyrotropin receptor in thyroid disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is essential for thyroid growth and for the production of thyroid hormones. It is unique among the glycoprotein hormone receptors, in that some of the TSHRs undergo cleavage and shedding of the alpha subunit.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses the structure and function of the TSHR, followed by an evaluation of its role in thyroid disease. Possible limitations of the TSHR as a therapeutic target are also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TSHR is involved in a number of hereditary and acquired disorders of the thyroid making it of potential importance as a therapeutic target in thyroid disease. Expression of the TSHR in several non-thyroidal tissues and the development of systemic manifestations of thyroid disease suggest that the TSHR is also of interest as a therapeutic target outside the thyroid.
authors.affiliation: Specialized Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, King Fahad Medical City, Dabab Street, P.O. Box 59046, Riyadh 11525, Saudi Arabia. skaissi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Samer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El-Kaissi
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wall
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011989:Receptors, Thyrotropin