title: Molecular insights into the possible role of Kir4.1 and Kir5.1 in thyroid hormone biosynthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid morphogenesis is a complex process. Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) genes play a role in hormone release, cell excitability, pH and K(+) homeostasis in many tissues.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the thyroid developmental expression of three members, Kir4.1, Kir4.2 and Kir5.1, in mice. To postulate the K(+) channel role in thyroid hormone secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of Kir4.1, Kir4.2 and Kir5.1 in mice of different stages (E13.5-E18.5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  mRNA for Kir4.1, Kir4.2 and Kir5.1 were identified and increased with age in mice. Both Kir4.1 and Kir4.2 genes are better expressed after E16.5. Kir4.2 greatly increases from E13.5 to E16.5 (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantitative PCR shows that the mouse thyroid presents increased expression for Kir channels during development. The role of Kir in thyroid morphogenesis and differentiation might be understood in future studies. We speculate that thyroglobulin trafficking might be modulated by Kir4.1/5.1.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Helton Estrela
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Magnus Régios Dias
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carré
authors.forename: Joaquim Custódio
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Rolf Matias
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Paninka
authors.forename: Taise Lima
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Elodie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tron
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castanet
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000196:embryology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000097062:Kir5.1 Channel; D000098854:Kcnj10 Channel
chemical_list: D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000097062:Kir5.1 Channel; D000098854:Kcnj10 Channel