[Bioactivity of thyroid hormones. Clinical significance of membrane transporters, deiodinases and nuclear receptors]

Abstract

The study of the different factors regulating the bioactivity of thyroid hormones is of utmost relevance for an adequate understanding of the glandular pathophysiology. These factors must be considered by the clinician in order to achieve a successful diagnosis and treatment of glandular diseases. Among the factors regulating bioactivity of thyroid hormones are the following: A) Plasmatic membrane hormone transporters, which tissue-specific expression is responsible for the cellular uptake of hormones, B) A set of deiodinating enzymes which activate or inactivate intracellular thyroid hormone, and C) Nuclear receptors which are responsible for the different cellular responses at the transcriptional level. This review compiles analysis and discusses the most recent findings regarding the regulation of thyroid hormone bioactivity, as well as the clinical relevance of different polymorphisms and mutations currently described for membrane transporters and deiodinases. In addition, the main issues and present and future study areas are identified.