TISSUE-DEPENDENT DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF A CYTOSOLIC THYROID-HORMONE PROTEIN GENE IN XENOPUS - ITS ROLE IN THE REGULATION OF AMPHIBIAN METAMORPHOSIS

We have cloned the cDNA encoding the Xenopus laevis homolog of mammalian cytosolic thyroid hormone binding protein (CTHBP). We found that while its mRNA level varies little in whole animals during development, the expression of CTHBP is inversely correlated with tissue-specific transformations during metamorphosis. A high level of its mRNA was observed in the tail of premetamorphic tadpoles. However, the expression is dramatically repressed with the onset of rapid tail resorption. In the hindlimb, the expression of CTHBP is very low during morphogenesis. Subsequently, its expression continuously increases during the period of limb growth. In contrast, a low level of CTHBP expression was detected in the intestine throughout metamorphosis. These results suggest that CTHBP could function to modulate the metamorphic process by regulating the level of intracellular thyroid hormones.