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The possibility that a TSH post-receptor-binding defect is responsible for the pathogenesis of benign thyroid tumours was studied. Thus, we attempted to determine in hyperfunctioning (hot) nodules and non-functioning (cold) nodules whether the functional activity or the amount of G proteins were modified in comparison with surrounding normal tissues. The adenylyl cyclase response to agonists that bypass the TSH–receptor complex (forskolin, guanosine 5'- (β.-imido)triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) or [A1F₄]^–) was studied on membranes from tumorous and adjacent normal thyroid tissues. We also examined the ability of G proteins to be ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin (CT) or pertussis toxin (PT), and quantified G proteins by Western blot analysis with specific antisera directed against Gs and Gi subunits.

Basal adenylyl cyclase activity was unchanged in hot tumours compared with normal tissue whereas the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by Gpp(NH)p or [A1F₄]^– (which act directly on Gs) as well as by forskolin (which acts on the catalyst) was significantly (P<0·05) decreased in five of seven nodules studied. Two types of response were found in cold nodules, depending upon whether they were microfollicular or macrofollicular tumours. Basal as well as stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was increased (0·02<P<0·05) in microfollicular tumours. In contrast, in macrofollicular tumours basal adenylyl cyclase was unchanged whereas stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was decreased (0·02<P<0·05). The ability of Gs or Gi to be ADP-ribosylated by CT or PT respectively was maintained in tumorous tissue. Quantification of Gs revealed a 30% decrease (P<0·05) in the level of Gs in hot tumours and either an increase or a decrease in cold tumours compared with their respective normal tissue. Quantitative or qualitative changes in Gi protein were also observed, but there was no clear difference between the patients with hot and cold thyroid tumours. A decrease or an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity can therefore be explained by an alteration in the amounts of G proteins, at least in some benign thyroid tumours.

Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 477–485

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