The Thyrotropin (TSH)-Releasing Hormone Receptor: Interaction with TSH and Autoantibodies*

I. Introduction II. TSHR Ectodomain Structure A. Primary amino acid structure B. Subunit structure C. Disulfide bonds in the TSHR ectodomain D. Carbohydrate moieties in the TSHR ectodomain E. TSHR dimerization III. Recombinant TSHR Expression A. Approaches to TSHR expression B. TSHR expression in prokaryotes C. TSHR expression as cell-free translates or as synthetic peptides D. TSHR expression in eukaryotic insect cells E. TSHR expression in mammalian cells IV. TSH and Autoantibody Binding to the TSHR Ectodomain A. Holoreceptor vs. ectodomain B. Conformational nature of binding sites C. TSHR carbohydrate: part of the binding site? D. TSHR amino acid residues in TSH-binding site E. Autoantibody epitopes V. TSHR Autoantibody Assays A. Historical background B. In vivo and in vitro bioassays C. Indirect TBI assays D. Direct assays for TSHR autoantibodies E. Confusion on the terminology and types of TSHR autoantibodies VI. Monoclonal Autoantibodies to the TSHR Ectodomain A. Introduction B. Mouse TSHR mAb C. Hu...