Abstract
Synthesis of α2u globulin and its mRNA has been used as an index to monitor the effect of thyroxine on specific gene expression in the liver of hypoinsulinemic male rats. Administration of a physiological dose of thyroxine can partially reverse (to approximately 30% of the normal control) the marked reduction (more than 90%) in the hepatic levels of α2n globulin and its mRNA during streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Estimation of newly synthesized α2u globulin RNA transcripts from the native chromatin of isolated liver nuclei by “nuclear runoff experiments” showed that thyroxine can elevate the rate of transcription of α2n globulin gene in the diabetic rat. Hypoinsulinemic diabetes is also found to be associated with an approximately 35% reduction in the thyroid hormone receptor level as compared to the normal control. The stimulatory effect of thyroxine on the synthesis of α2u globulin and its mRNA was also evident in spontaneous diabetic Wistar “BB” rats. From these studies it can be concluded that severe hypoinsulinemia can cause a decrease in thyroid hormone action at the level of specific gene expression.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 4376-4380 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Biochemistry |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1986 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry