Endocrine Abstracts

Thyroid hormone is critically important for many developmental processes. However, less is known about how this hormone elicits its actions, a question that becomes more puzzling given that that distinct target tissues respond in different ways and often at different times. How does this systemic hormonal signal elicit its diverse responses? Targeted mutagenesis of thyroid hormone receptors (TR) encoded by the Thrb and Thra genes has indicated that some specifici...

Thyroid hormone has long been known as a key developmental factor in human and model species. Insufficient thyroid hormone during development can impair the growth and maturation of diverse tissue and organ systems. One of the most serious risks associated with congenital hypothyroidism is defective brain maturation and mental retardation. However, in recent years, targeted mutagenesis of the thyroid hormone receptor genes in model species has expanded our understanding of the...