Propylthiouracil increases sodium/iodide symporter gene expression and iodide uptake in rat thyroid cells in the absence of TSH

• DOI: 10.1089/thy.2011-0290
• Publication Date: 2012-05-21T19:48:30Z
• Authors: Sue Mariko; Takeshi Akama; Akira Kawashima; Hannah Nakamura; Takeshi Hara; Kazunari Tanigawa; Huhehasi Wu; Aya Yoshihara; Yuko Ishido; Naoki Hiroi; Gen Yoshino; Leonard D Kohn; Norihisa Ishii; Koichi Suzuki
• Keywords: Propylthiouracil; Sodium-iodide symporter; Sodium iodide; Pendrin

Background: Propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (MMI) are drugs that widely used to treat Graves' disease.Although both exert an antithyroid effect primarily by blocking thyroid peroxidase activity, their molecular structure other actions different.We hypothesized PTU MMI may have differential effects on thyroid-specific gene expression function.Methods: The of function were examined in rat FRTL-5 cells using DNA microarray, reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, radioiodine uptake studies.Results: microarray analysis showed a marked increase sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) after treatment, whereas had no effect.RT-PCR PCR revealed PTUinduced NIS mRNA levels comparable those elicited thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).PTU increased 5¢-1880-bp 5¢-1052-bp activity the promoter.While treatment also protein levels, size induced was smaller than TSH, localized predominantly cytoplasm rather plasma membrane.Accumulation 125 I stimulation, but this weaker produced TSH.Conclusions: We found induces iodide absence TSH.Although share similar functions appear be quite different, which could affect therapeutic effectiveness.