Endocrine Abstracts

Despite the recognized importance of thyroid hormones (TH) for normal brain development, little is known about the critical molecular events underlying this role. We investigated the molecular basis of TH action on the developing brain by: (1) comparing genome-wide gene expression patterns in the cerebellum of euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid juvenile mice treated with 6-propyl thiouracil or mercapto-methylimidazole /perchlorate using DNA microarrays; and (2) investigat...

The AhR is a ligand dependent transcription factor which belongs to the bHLH-PAS family of transcription factors. Together with it partner factor ARNT the AhR mediates the biological of numerous ligands includings dietary factors, tryptophane derivatives and environmental pollutants like polyaromatic hydrocarbons and poly-chlorinated dioxins.Exposure to these environmental pollutants leads to, among other effects, disruption of hormonal signaling pathway...

Thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis, storage and secretion is organized in a complex series of biochemical reactions round an evolutionary conserved functional unit, the thyroid follicle, a highly vascularised epithelial structure enclosing the colloidal lumen mainly composed of thyroglobulin (Tg). The luminal apical surface of this tight epithelial monolayer is the site of H2O2 dependent TH biosynthesis and is involved in mobilization of Tg, the colloidal ...

Environmental compounds can interfere with endocrine systems of wildlife and humans. The main sink of such substances, called endocrine disruptors (ED), are surface waters; and thus aquatic vertebrates such as fishes and amphibians are most endangered. Despite numerous reports on ED in fishes exist, information about ED in amphibians is relatively scarce but emerging. Amphibians can be affected sensitively by ED via adverse effects on reproductive biology and development e.g. ...