Thyroid hormone receptors: the challenge of elucidating isotype-specific functions and cell-specific response.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid hormone receptors TRα1, TRβ1 and TRβ2 are broadly expressed and exert a pleiotropic influence on many developmental and homeostatic processes. Extensive genetic studies in mice precisely defined their respective function.


METHODS
The purpose of the review is to discuss two puzzling issues:


CONCLUSIONS
Mouse genetics support a balanced contribution of expression pattern and receptor intrinsic properties in defining the receptor respective functions. The molecular mechanisms sustaining cell specific response remain hypothetical and based on studies performed with other nuclear receptors.


CONCLUSIONS
The isoform-specificity and cell-specificity questions have many implications for clinical research, drug development, and endocrine disruptor studies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Thyroid hormone signalling.
Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université de Lyon, CNRS, INRA, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 46 allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France. Frederic.Flamant@ens-lyon.fr
Frédéric
F
Flamant
Karine
K
Gauthier
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D013963:Thyroid Hormones