title: Decreased Expression of GPER1 Gene and Protein in Goiter.
abstract: Goiter is more common in women, suggesting that estrogen could be involved in its physiopathology. The presence of classical estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) has been described in thyroid tissue, suggesting a direct effect of estrogen on the gland. A nonclassic estrogen receptor, the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1), has been described recently in several tissues. However, in goiter, the presence of this receptor has not been studied yet. We investigated GPER1 gene and protein expressions in normal thyroid and goiter using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. In normal thyroid (n = 16) and goiter (n = 19), GPER1 gene was expressed in all samples, while GPER1 protein was expressed in all samples of normal thyroid (n = 15) but in only 72% of goiter samples (n = 13). When comparing GPER1 gene and protein levels in both conditions, gene expression and protein levels were higher in normal thyroid than in goiter, suggesting a role of this receptor in this condition. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of GPER1 in normal thyroid and goiter.
authors: Programa de Pós Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2400, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Raquel
authors: 0000-0001-5083-9988
authors: R
authors: Weber
authors: Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Ana Paula Santin
authors: AP
authors: Bertoni
authors: Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Laura Walter
authors: LW
authors: Bessestil
authors: Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Ilma Simoni
authors: IS
authors: Brum
authors: Programa de Pós Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2400, 90035-903 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Tania Weber
authors: TW
authors: Furlanetto