Change of the protein composition of the thyroid colloid during treatment with propylthiouracil and thyroxine: a microgel electrophoretic study of single rat thyroid follicles.

Prophylthiouracil and thyroxine were given daily to rats for 4 weeks. Samples of colloid were collected in vivo from the superficial thyroid follicles during this period and their protein composition was analysed by gel electrophoresis. It was observed that the aggregates of thyroglobulin, i.e., the 27-S thyroid iodoprotein and the heavier fractions, were reduced to 50% after 1 week and were almost absent after 2 weeks. A faster migrating thyroglobulin fraction was observed in the samples of colloid and in the homogenate of the whole gland after 48 h of treatment. During the following period of treatment there was an increase in the relative amount of the faster migrating thyroglobulin fraction compared to 19-S thyroglobulin in the colloid, the former comprising approx. 75% of the globulins after 4 weeks, It can be concluded that propylthiouracil inhibits the formation of the 27-S iodoprotein and that a structurally altered and iodine-poor thyroglobulin fraction is accumulated in the follicle lumen.