Seeing the Effects: Developmental Thyroid Disruption and Photoreceptors

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

12-4-2022 2:00 PM

End Date

12-4-2022 3:30 PM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

David Sharlin

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Although thyroid hormone is best known for its role in regulating metabolic function, it is also an essential factor in the development of the nervous and sensory systems (Bernal 2005). For example, in the visual system, thyroid hormone is reported to regulate the expression of photoreceptor opsins in development which are vital for color vision in mammals (Lu et. al 2009). Considering the importance of thyroid hormone in the development of the nervous and visual system, there is concern that man-made chemicals released into the environment may disrupt thyroid hormone dependent development and cause permanent neurological or sensory deficits. However, most of the existing research only considers severe developmental hypothyroidism (very low thyroid hormone). Therefore, the sensitivity of developing systems to perturbations in thyroid hormone, as well as the degree to which circulating levels of thyroid hormone must be reduced to observe an adverse outcome, are largely unknown.

Our research is focused on understanding the relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and gene endpoints of thyroid hormone action. Mice were treated with increasing doses of a thyroid hormone inhibitor to induce graded levels of thyroid hormone insufficiency. Eye tissue was collected, and total RNA was isolated. Following reverse transcription, the levels of retinal opsin mRNA - medium wavelength (M), short wavelength (S), Rhodopsin - are being quantified by real-time PCR. Our goal is to understand the degree to which thyroid hormone levels must be reduced to observe changes in retinal opsin mRNA levels. This work will provide critical information on the sensitivity of the developing visual system to thyroid hormone disruption, important information for the regulatory domain.

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Apr 12th, 2:00 PM Apr 12th, 3:30 PM

Seeing the Effects: Developmental Thyroid Disruption and Photoreceptors

CSU Ballroom

Although thyroid hormone is best known for its role in regulating metabolic function, it is also an essential factor in the development of the nervous and sensory systems (Bernal 2005). For example, in the visual system, thyroid hormone is reported to regulate the expression of photoreceptor opsins in development which are vital for color vision in mammals (Lu et. al 2009). Considering the importance of thyroid hormone in the development of the nervous and visual system, there is concern that man-made chemicals released into the environment may disrupt thyroid hormone dependent development and cause permanent neurological or sensory deficits. However, most of the existing research only considers severe developmental hypothyroidism (very low thyroid hormone). Therefore, the sensitivity of developing systems to perturbations in thyroid hormone, as well as the degree to which circulating levels of thyroid hormone must be reduced to observe an adverse outcome, are largely unknown.

Our research is focused on understanding the relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and gene endpoints of thyroid hormone action. Mice were treated with increasing doses of a thyroid hormone inhibitor to induce graded levels of thyroid hormone insufficiency. Eye tissue was collected, and total RNA was isolated. Following reverse transcription, the levels of retinal opsin mRNA - medium wavelength (M), short wavelength (S), Rhodopsin - are being quantified by real-time PCR. Our goal is to understand the degree to which thyroid hormone levels must be reduced to observe changes in retinal opsin mRNA levels. This work will provide critical information on the sensitivity of the developing visual system to thyroid hormone disruption, important information for the regulatory domain.

Recommended Citation

Wimp, Jessica and Ainslee Hemmen. "Seeing the Effects: Developmental Thyroid Disruption and Photoreceptors." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 12, 2022.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2022/poster-session-02/15