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TSH (thyrotropin)-stimulated human thyroid adenylate cyclase has a biphasic response to Ca2+, being activated by submicromolar Ca2+ (optimum 22nM), with inhibition at higher concentrations. Calmodulin antagonists caused an inhibition of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of TSH-and TSIg-(thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins)-stimulated activity was more marked than that of basal, NaF- or forskolin-stimulated activity. This inhibition was not due to a decreased binding of TSH to its receptor. Addition of pure calmodulin to particulate preparations of human non-toxic goitre which had not been calmodulin-depleted had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity. EGTA was ineffective in removing calmodulin from particulate preparations, but treatment with the tervalent metal ion La3+ resulted in a loss of up to 98% of calmodulin activity from these preparations. Addition of La3+ directly to the adenylate cyclase assay resulted in a partial inhibition of TSH- and NaF-stimulated activity, with 50% inhibition produced by 5.1 microM and 4.0 microM-La3+ respectively. Particulate preparations with La3+ showed a decrease of TSH- and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (approx. 40-60%). In La3+-treated preparations there was a decrease in sensitivity of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase to Ca2+ over a wide range of Ca2+ concentrations, but most markedly in the region of the optimal stimulatory Ca2+ concentration. In particulate preparations from which endogenous calmodulin had been removed by La3+ treatment, the addition of pure calmodulin caused an increase (73 +/- 22%; mean +/- S.E.M., n = 8) in TSH-stimulated thyroid adenylate cyclase activity. This was seen in 8 out of 13 experiments.

Recent evidence suggests that epidermal growth factor (EGF) may play an important role in the regulation of thyroid growth and function. We have examined the interaction of murine EGF (mEGF) with human and porcine thyroid membranes and compared this with the binding of bovine TSH (bTSH) using 125I-labelled hormones as tracers. The characteristics of the binding of mEGF were found to be similar for human and porcine thyroid membranes. Epidermal growth factor bound with high affinity (affinity constant = 1·4 × 109l/mol); the density of binding sites was low compared with the TSH receptor. At 37 °C, the binding of 125I-labelled EGF was maximal at 1 h and was saturable in the presence of unlabelled EGF; half-maximal inhibition was at 1 ng EGF/tube (0·5 nmol/l) using 0·5 mg membrane protein/tube. Unlabelled bTSH had no effect on the binding of labelled EGF. Similarly, unlabelled EGF did not affect the binding of labelled TSH; hence it was concluded that mEGF and bTSH bound to independent sites. Epidermal growth factor had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity in membranes prepared from human non-toxic goitre; increasing concentrations of EGF did not affect basal, TSH-stimulated or fluoride-stimulated enzyme activity.J. Endocr.(1984) 102, 57–61

Mr. Humphries is Chairman of the Aberdeen City Police Joint Branch Board of the Scottish Police Federation.

Section of Pharmacology, Academic Division of Medicine and *Field Laboratories, The University, Sheffield, S102TN(Received8 July1975)The McKenzie (1958) bioassay remains the principal tool for studying the long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) and LATS-protector (LATSP), although radioreceptor binding assays are being developed (Manley, Bourke & Hawker, 1974; Smith & Hall, 1974). A dog biscuit met the low-iodine requirements until 1974, when batches contained sufficient iodine to make them unsuitable for use in this bioassay. Bread contains negligible iodine, unless iodated dough conditioner is added (London & Vought, 1965). Thus an investigation was made of the suitability of bread for use in the McKenzie bioassay.Female, white Swiss mice were bred as described by Loy & Broadhead (1968), the colony being fed on pasteurized breeding diet (Oxoid Ltd). Mice were weaned at 4 weeks, fed on diet 86 (Oxoid Ltd) until body weights were 15–20 g (i.e. usually for 1–2 weeks),