ZFP36L2 Role in Thyroid Functionality

oleh: Francesco Albano, Valeria Tucci, Perry J. Blackshear, Carla Reale, Luca Roberto, Filomena Russo, Pina Marotta, Immacolata Porreca, Marco Colella, Massimo Mallardo, Mario de Felice, Concetta Ambrosino

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-08-01

Deskripsi

Thyroid hormone levels are usually genetically determined. Thyrocytes produce a unique set of enzymes that are dedicated to thyroid hormone synthesis. While thyroid transcriptional regulation is well-characterized, post-transcriptional mechanisms have been less investigated. Here, we describe the involvement of ZFP36L2, a protein that stimulates degradation of target mRNAs, in thyroid development and function, by in vivo and in vitro gene targeting in thyrocytes. Thyroid-specific <i>Zfp36l2</i><sup>-/-</sup> females were hypothyroid, with reduced levels of circulating free Thyroxine (cfT4) and Triiodothyronine (cfT3). Their hypothyroidism was due to dyshormonogenesis, already evident one week after weaning, while thyroid development appeared normal. We observed decreases in several thyroid-specific transcripts and proteins, such as <i>Nis</i> and its transcriptional regulators (<i>Pax8</i> and <i>Nkx2</i>.1), and increased apoptosis in <i>Zfp36l2</i><sup>-/-</sup> thyroids. <i>Nis</i>, <i>Pax8,</i> and <i>Nkx2</i>.1 mRNAs were also reduced in <i>Zfp36l2</i> knock-out thyrocytes in vitro (L2KO), in which we confirmed the increased apoptosis. Finally, in L2KO cells, we showed an altered response to TSH stimulation regarding both thyroid-specific gene expression and cell proliferation and survival. This result was supported by increases in P21/WAF1 and p-P38MAPK levels. Mechanistically, we confirmed <i>Notch1</i> as a target of ZFP36L2 in the thyroid since its levels were increased in both in vitro and in vivo models. In both models, the levels of <i>Id4</i> mRNA, a potential inhibitor of <i>Pax8</i> activity, were increased. Overall, the data indicate that the regulation of mRNA stability by ZFP36L2 is a mechanism that controls the function and survival of thyrocytes.