L4 - Thyroid Hormones Flashcards
What cell types can be found within the thyroid gland?
Follicular (epithelial) cells, parafollicular C cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and adipocytes
Why are fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and adipocytes relevant to thyroid physiology?
In certain diseases these cells can be the source of thyroid pathophysiology
What is the secretory unit of the thyroid gland? What is its structure?
Thyroid follicles; Consist of thyroid epithelium arranged around a large central cavity filled with colloid
What is the predominant protein found in colloid?
Thyroglobulin
What hypophysiotropic neuropeptide controls the release of thyroid hormones? To what kind of receptor does it bind?
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone binds to a GqPCR
What compounds can directly inhibit the release of TSH from the anterior pituitary?
T3, dopamine, somatostatin, and glucocorticoids
How is negative feedback inhibition involved in the regulation of thyroid hormone release?
Circulating levels of T3 can inhibit the release of TSH directly and indirectly by inhibiting release of TRH
To what structural family of hormones do thyroid hormones belong?
Tyrosine-derivatives
In what cells is thyroglobulin produced?
Thyroid follicular epithelial cells
What are the steps and intermediates of thyroid hormone synthesis? What enzyme catalyzes this step?
Tyrosine residues of thyroglobulin undergo organification in which either one or two iodine molecules are added to tyr to form monoiodotyrosine or diiodotyrosine (MIT, DIT). 2 DIT or 1 MIT and 1 DIT are coupled to form T4 and T3, respectively; thyroid peroxidase
What maintains the concentration of iodine in the thyroid follicular epithelial cells?
A Na+/I+ symporter
True or False: the transport of iodine into thyroid follicular epithelial cells is under TSH regulation?
True
What is the driving force that allows iodine entry into the cell? What is the net movement of molecules through the Na+/I+ symporter?
The low intracellular concentration of sodium, maintained by Na/K pump; 2 Na+ and 1 I+ in
Where does organification and coupling take place?
Within the colloid in the thyroid follicle lumen
How is the Na+/I+ symporter manipulated for medical use? What other compounds can be transported via the symporter?
Radiolabeled pertechnetate can be used for imaging of the thyroid gland and it can transport in radioactive iodine for treatment; perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate
What surface of the thyroid follicular epithelial cells faces the colloid?
Apical
What is the process by which thyroid hormones are released into circulation? Which hormone is released in the highest quantity?
Thyroglobulin is transported into the follicular epithelial cell via endocytotic vesicles that fuse with phagolysosomes. The thyroglobulin undergoes proteolytic digestion and cleavage, yielding T3 and T4; T4 is released more than T3
To what kind of receptor does TSH bind? In what tissues are the receptors found?
GsPCR; Thyroid and adipocytes and fibroblasts of the orbit connective tissue