Presence of a human-like thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Ciona intestinalis

doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(97)00437-2

Life Sciences

Volume 61, Issue 6, 3 July 1997, Pages 623-629

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-3205(97)00437-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Using a monoclonal antibody against human Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), we have found that the invertebrate Ciona intestinalis (phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata) contains a previously unreported protein which is immunoreactive for anti-human TSH. The amount of this hormone in the blood, endostyle and ovary of C. intestinalis was found to be 0.01 ± 0.003, 1.05 ± 0.2 and 3.61 ± 1.25 $μIU g$ of tissue, respectively, using the RIA method, and a value of 0.013 ± 0.0043, 1.16 ± 0.30 and 3.85 ± 1.32 $μIU g$ using an immimo-chemilummescent method. In addition to possessing immunological properties, this protein is able to induce the synthesis of cAMP in rat thyroid cell culture (FRTL-5) and in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO) transfected with the cDNA for human TSH receptor. This indicates that the putative ciona TSH has the capability to react specifically with receptors for mammalian TSH. Maximum concentrations of ciona TSH-like actor occur during periods of sexual maturity (between May to July), whereas very low concentrations were assayed during the rest of the year suggesting that this hormone may be involved in hormonal function related to sexual maturity. From a phylogenetic point of view, the above data supports the hypothesis for a common origin of a thyroid hormonal system between Tunicata and vertebrates.

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Yet, TS orthologs were also identified in the genome of tunicates, nematode and fly, but not in the genome of cnidarians, placozoans and sponges (Hsu et al., 2002; Campbell et al., 2004; Dos Santos et al., 2011; Sellami et al., 2011; Roch and Sherwood, 2014). It is intriguing that human like TSH has been reported in another chordate, C. intestinalis but the exact role of TSH remains obscure (Di Fiore et al., 1997). In addition, some studies also employed immune-based experiments using vertebrate antisera (against the TH system elements such as Tgs, TSH and thyroid receptor-like candidates) to localize the TH system elements in the central nervous system and coelomates of an annelid, Eisenia foetida (Wilhelm et al., 2006).
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Presence of a human-like thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Ciona intestinalis

Abstract

Biochem. Biophys. Acta

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol.

The Biology of the Emichordata and Protocordata

Science

Comp. Rend. Soc. Biol. Paris.