The Action of Thyroid Hormone

Thyroid hormone affects both developmental and metabolic processes. It has a relatively specific effect on the synthesis of a number of enzymes and other proteins. The fundamental cellular mechanism of action seems to be at the level of genetic regulation. It involves interaction with nuclear receptors, leading to an activation of the protein synthesizing machinery. How binding to receptors is coupled to genetic activation is completely unknown. At least part of the metabolic effects of thyroid hormone could be mediated through an interaction with mitochondria and cell membrane, and with some enzymatic systems such as adenylcyclase.