The human thyrotropin receptor activates G-proteins Gs and Gq/11.

The human thyrotropin receptor leads upon activation to the stimulation of phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase. It is presently not known whether this bifurcating signaling occurs via two different G-proteins (Gq/11 and Gs) or via one G-protein (Gs). Receptor-activated Gs releases beta gamma subunits and alpha s, which then could regulate phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase, respectively. In order to elucidate the signaling pathways induced by the activated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, we studied the coupling of the TSH receptor to Gs and Gq/11 in human thyroid membranes. TSH concentration dependently led to the activation of two forms of Gs (Gs short and Gs long) as well as of Gq and G11, demonstrating that signaling pathways induced by TSH already bifurcate in the course of the receptor-G-protein interaction. These data strongly suggest the concept that phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase activation through the TSH receptor are mediated by Gq/11 and Gs, respectively.