Genome-wide analyses identify a role for SLC17A4 and AADAT in thyroid hormone regulation

Thyroid dysfunction is an important public health problem, which affects 10% of the general population and increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Many aspects of thyroid hormone regulation have only partly been elucidated, including its transport, metabolism, and genetic determinants. Here we report a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for thyroid function and dysfunction, testing 8 million genetic variants in up to 72,167 individuals. One-hundred-and-nine independent genetic variants are associated with these traits. A genetic risk score, calculated to assess their combined effects on clinical end points, shows significant associations with increased risk of both overt (Graves' disease) and subclinical thyroid disease, as well as clinical complications. By functional follow-up on selected signals, we identify a novel thyroid hormone transporter (SLC17A4) and a metabolizing enzyme (AADAT). Together, these results provide new knowledge about thyroid hormone physiology and disease, opening new possibilities for therapeutic targets

Genome-wide analyses identify a role for SLC17A4 and AADAT in thyroid hormone regulation.

Thyroid dysfunction is an important public health problem, which affects 10% of the general population and increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Many aspects of thyroid hormone regulation have only partly been elucidated, including its transport, metabolism, and genetic determinants. Here we report a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for thyroid function and dysfunction, testing 8 million genetic variants in up to 72,167 individuals. One-hundred-and-nine independent genetic variants are associated with these traits. A genetic risk score, calculated to assess their combined effects on clinical end points, shows significant associations with increased risk of both overt (Graves' disease) and subclinical thyroid disease, as well as clinical complications. By functional follow-up on selected signals, we identify a novel thyroid hormone transporter (SLC17A4) and a metabolizing enzyme (AADAT). Together, these results provide new knowledge about thyroid hormone physiology and disease, opening new possibilities for therapeutic targets

Identification of Novel Genetic Loci Associated with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Clinical Thyroid Disease

Peer reviewe

Combining medium recirculation with alternating the microalga production strain : a laboratory and pilot scale cultivation test

Reuse of growth medium after biomass harvesting is a cost-saving approach to improve the economic feasibility of algae mass cultivation. Algal exudates, cell debris and varying amounts of residual nutrients, impose challenges to the recycling of spent medium. In this study, the potential of combining reused medium from different algae species for growing monocultures of other algal strains was evaluated by making use of three successive cultivation setups with increasing volume; 400 mL in turbidostat mode, 2.6 L and 220 L in semi-continuous mode. Cultivation on replenished medium derived from Nannochloropsis sp. and Tisochrysis lutea, had no adverse effect on the productivity of either of the strains, regardless of whether they were grown in their own recycled medium or that of the other alga. Microfiltration of the reused medium proved to be sufficient to avoid cross-contamination. Moreover, a substantial average reduction in water footprint (77%) and nutrient cost (68% or 9 €·kg−1 dry biomass) was achieved. Extension and validation of the medium recycling approach to other economically interesting algae species can contribute to improving the economic feasibility of large scale microalgae production systems

Reuse of rejuvenated media during laboratory and pilot scale cultivation of Nannochloropsis sp.

Bulk cultivation of microalgae in large scale production systems is subject to high production costs. Recycling of growth medium contributes to reducing water, nutrient and salt expenditure, and hence to increase both the economic viability and sustainability of microalgae production systems. In this study it was shown that, upon algae harvesting by means of centrifugation, spent broth from a Nannochloropsis sp. production system can be treated by means of microfiltration and reapplied as rejuvenated growth medium without negatively influencing subsequent growth. During recirculation of growth medium, nutrients consumption rates were documented and used to adjust the medium recipe to enable long term medium recirculation. An 80% recycle rate could be maintained for 167 days during a course of ten production runs, translating into a decrease in nutrient, salt and water expenditure of 44%, 74% and 80%, respectively. The potential for long term reuse of medium for monocultures of multiple economically interesting species should be assessed in future research to evaluate the broad applicability of medium re-use in microalgae cultivation

Effect of indomethacin on cell cycle dependent cyclic AMP fluxes in tobacco BY-2 cells

International audienc