The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in Vertebrate Liver, in Primitive Eukaryotes and in Bacteria
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Samantha J. Richardson
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are evolutionarily old signal molecules, which can partition between compartments by partitioning into lipid membranes. The role of thyroid hormone distributor proteins is to ensure that sufficient thyroid hormone remains in the bloodstream. Of particular interest is the role of transthyretin, synthesised by the liver and secreted into the blood. In this review, three hypotheses are presented, suggesting the selection pressures leading to the onset of transthyretin synthesis in the liver during evolution. A thyroid hormone distribution network would be a selection advantage over a single protein performing this function. Similarly to the situation in eutherians, hepatic transthyretin synthesis in marsupials is under negative acute phase regulation. The overall three-dimensional structure of transthyretin did not change appreciably during vertebrate evolution. The region of the primary sequence which evolved most was the N-terminal region of the subunit. The N-termini of transthyretin changed from longer and more hydrophobic in reptiles/birds, to shorter and more hydrophilic in eutherians. These changes are correlated with a change in preference from binding of triiodothyronine, to binding thyroxine. As the rest of the molecule had not changed significantly during vertebrate evolution, the gene coding for transthyretin must have evolved prior to the divergence of the vertebrates from the non-vertebrates. Five open reading frames in the genomes of C. elegans (2), S. dublin, S. pombe and E. coli were identified. The protein products are predicted to form tetramers similar to transthyretins. Two possible functions of these proteins are suggested.
Copyright © 2002 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- Historical Aspects and Perspectives in Transthyretin Research
- Transthyretin from Discovery to Now
- The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in Vertebrate Liver, in Primitive Eukaryotes and in Bacteria
- The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in the Choroid Plexus
- Hepatic Synthesis, Maturation and Complex Formation between Retinol-Binding Protein and Transthyretin
- Synthesis and Structural Analysis of the N-Terminal Domain of the Thyroid Hormone-Binding Protein Transthyretin
- Three-Dimensional Structure of the Transthyretin-Retinol-Binding Protein Complex
- Mechanisms of Molecular Recognition: Crystal Structure Analysis of Human and Rat Transthyretin Inhibitor Complexes
- Transthyretin in Fish: State of the Art
- The Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Thyroid Hormone Binding to Xenopus laevis Transthyretin and Thyroid Hormone Receptor
- Clinical Picture and Outcome of Transthyretin-Related Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) in Japanese Patients
- Laboratory Assessment of Transthyretin Amyloidosis
- Amyloid: Morphology and Toxicity
- Historical Overview of Analytical Methods for the Measurement of Transthyretin
- Nutritional Regulation of Visceral Markers in Rat Liver and Cultured Hepatoma Cells
- Significance of Transthyretin in Protein Metabolism
- Transthyretin as a Thyroid Hormone Carrier: Function Revisited
- The Molar Ratio of Retinol-Binding Protein to Transthyretin in the Assessment of Vitamin A Status in Adults. Proposal of a Cut-off Point
- Observations with Regard to the National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines Concerning Serum Transthyretin in Chronic Renal Failure
- Metabolism and Clinical Interest of Serum Transthyretin (Prealbumin) in Dialysis Patients
- Protein Status in Pancreatitis – Transthyretin Is a Sensitive Biomarker of Malnutrition in Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
- Assessment of Nutritional Status in Organ Transplant: Is Transthyretin a Reliable Indicator?
- Body Composition and Nutritional Parameters in HIV and AIDS Patients
- C-Reactive Protein to Transthyretin Ratio for the Early Diagnosis and Follow-up of Postoperative Infection
- The Prognostic Value of Nutritional and Inflammatory Indices in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure
- Transthyretin: Its Response to Malnutrition and Stress Injury. Clinical Usefulness and Economic Implications
- Transthyretin Measurement as a Screening Tool for Protein Calorie Malnutrition in Emergency Hospital Admissions
- Outcomes of Continuous Process Improvement of a Nutritional Care Program Incorporating TTR Measurement
- The Role of Visceral Protein Markers in Protein Calorie Malnutrition
- Acknowledgement
- Meetings
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- Historical Aspects and Perspectives in Transthyretin Research
- Transthyretin from Discovery to Now
- The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in Vertebrate Liver, in Primitive Eukaryotes and in Bacteria
- The Evolution of Transthyretin Synthesis in the Choroid Plexus
- Hepatic Synthesis, Maturation and Complex Formation between Retinol-Binding Protein and Transthyretin
- Synthesis and Structural Analysis of the N-Terminal Domain of the Thyroid Hormone-Binding Protein Transthyretin
- Three-Dimensional Structure of the Transthyretin-Retinol-Binding Protein Complex
- Mechanisms of Molecular Recognition: Crystal Structure Analysis of Human and Rat Transthyretin Inhibitor Complexes
- Transthyretin in Fish: State of the Art
- The Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Thyroid Hormone Binding to Xenopus laevis Transthyretin and Thyroid Hormone Receptor
- Clinical Picture and Outcome of Transthyretin-Related Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) in Japanese Patients
- Laboratory Assessment of Transthyretin Amyloidosis
- Amyloid: Morphology and Toxicity
- Historical Overview of Analytical Methods for the Measurement of Transthyretin
- Nutritional Regulation of Visceral Markers in Rat Liver and Cultured Hepatoma Cells
- Significance of Transthyretin in Protein Metabolism
- Transthyretin as a Thyroid Hormone Carrier: Function Revisited
- The Molar Ratio of Retinol-Binding Protein to Transthyretin in the Assessment of Vitamin A Status in Adults. Proposal of a Cut-off Point
- Observations with Regard to the National Kidney Foundation K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines Concerning Serum Transthyretin in Chronic Renal Failure
- Metabolism and Clinical Interest of Serum Transthyretin (Prealbumin) in Dialysis Patients
- Protein Status in Pancreatitis – Transthyretin Is a Sensitive Biomarker of Malnutrition in Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
- Assessment of Nutritional Status in Organ Transplant: Is Transthyretin a Reliable Indicator?
- Body Composition and Nutritional Parameters in HIV and AIDS Patients
- C-Reactive Protein to Transthyretin Ratio for the Early Diagnosis and Follow-up of Postoperative Infection
- The Prognostic Value of Nutritional and Inflammatory Indices in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure
- Transthyretin: Its Response to Malnutrition and Stress Injury. Clinical Usefulness and Economic Implications
- Transthyretin Measurement as a Screening Tool for Protein Calorie Malnutrition in Emergency Hospital Admissions
- Outcomes of Continuous Process Improvement of a Nutritional Care Program Incorporating TTR Measurement
- The Role of Visceral Protein Markers in Protein Calorie Malnutrition
- Acknowledgement
- Meetings
