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.
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
