Context: In the human thyroid gland, TSH activates both the cAMP and inositol phosphates (IP) signaling cascades via binding to the TSH receptor (TSHR). Biallelic TSHR loss-of-function mutations cause resistance to TSH, clinically characterized by hyperthyrotropinemia, and normal or reduced thyroid gland volume, thyroid hormone output and iodine uptake.

Objective: We report and study a novel familial TSHR mutation (L653V).

Results: Homozygous individuals expressing L653V had euthyroid hyperthyrotropinemia. Paradoxically, patients had significantly higher 2 h radioiodide uptake (RAIU) and 2h-to-24h RAIU ratios, compared to heterozygous, unaffected family members, suggesting an imbalance between iodide trapping and organification. In transfected COS-7 cells, the mutant TSHR had normal surface expression, basal activity and TSH-binding affinity, equally (2.2 fold) increased EC50 values for TSH-induced cAMP and IP accumulation, and normal maximum cAMP generation. In contrast, the efficacy of TSH for generating IP was over 7-fold lower with the mutant compared to wild type TSHR.

Conclusions: We identified and characterized a TSHR defect, preferentially affecting the IP pathway, with a phenotype distinct from previously reported loss-of-function mutations. Results provide the first in vivo evidence for the physiological role of the TSHR/IP/Ca²⁺ cascade in regulating iodination. According to systematic in vitro mutagenesis studies, other TSHR mutations can result in even complete loss of IP signaling with retained cAMP induction. We hypothesize that such TSHR mutations could be the cause in unexplained partial organification defects.