Molecular studies on thyrotropin (TSH) receptor and anti-TSH receptor antibodies.

Cloning of TSHR gene and some subsequent studies using the gene were described. Enormous numbers of studies have been performed since the cloning of TSHR gene. Recent molecular studies on TSH receptor and TSHRAb gave various impacts on thyroidology and are resolving past problems. We mainly focused on regulation, processing and glycosylation, TSH- and TSHRAb binding sites, T cell epitopes, and signal transduction of TSHR. Furthermore, we isolated and characterized TSHRAb genes using lymphocytes producing monoclonal TSHRAb obtained from patients with Graves' disease and primary hypothyroidism. Thus, both antigen and antibody genes are cloned. Combined use of these genes will help to investigate the interactions between TSHR and TSHRAb, and may be expected to contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease as well as the physiology of the thyroid gland.