DIO2 Thr92Ala Reduces Deiodinase-2 Activity and Serum-T3 Levels in Thyroid-Deficient Patients.
A substantial proportion of athyreotic levothyroxine (LT4)-treated patients experience hypothyroid-like symptoms. During LT4 replacement, levels of the active hormone triiodothyronine (T3) strictly depend on type 2-deiodinase (D2)-mediated activation of LT4. The Thr92Ala polymorphism and the 258 G/A in the DIO2 gene have been associated with various clinical conditions.



To investigate the effects of DIO2 polymorphisms in thyroid hormone homeostasis.



We compared the presurgical hormonal status of thyroidectomized LT4-treated patients who had a similar thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level with their postsurgery status and analyzed their DIO2 genotype in a subgroup of 102/140 (72.8%) of patients. We measured the enzymatic properties of Thr92Ala in living cells and in relevant generated mouse models.



A total of 140 thyroidectomized subjects were included. Serum free T3 (FT3), free thyroxine, and TSH levels were directly measured. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were performed for D2 protein.



The DIO2 genotyping revealed an association between low FT3 values and Thr92Ala. Specifically, the mean postsurgery FT3 levels were significantly lower in patients carrying the mutated allele(s) than in wild-type patients, in whom FT3 postsurgical levels were similar to presurgery levels. The -258 G/A variation was not associated with hormonal alteration. We found that endogenous wild-type D2 and Thr92Ala share the same subcellular localization but differ in protein stability. Importantly, Thr92Ala reduced D2-mediated thyroxine to T3 conversion.



Thyroidectomized patients carrying Thr92Ala are at increased risk of reduced intracellular and serum T3 concentrations that are not adequately compensated for by LT4, thus providing evidence in favor of customized treatment of hypothyroidism in athyreotic patients.
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Maria Grazia
MG
Castagna
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Monica
M
Dentice
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Silvia
S
Cantara
Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Ambrosio
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Fabio
F
Maino
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Tommaso
T
Porcelli
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Carlotta
C
Marzocchi
Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Corrado
C
Garbi
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Furio
F
Pacini
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.|CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, 80145 Naples, Italy.
Domenico
D
Salvatore
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult; D000097564:Iodothyronine Deiodinase Type II
D007453:Iodide Peroxidase; D013974:Thyroxine; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D000097564:Iodothyronine Deiodinase Type II