Regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis by thyroid hormone

Thyroid hormone (T3) has a profound effect on mitochondrial biogenesis. T3-regulated gene expression is mediated by thyroid hormone receptor (TR) binding to thyroid hormone response elements (TREs). In concert with the action of various coactivators and corepressors this interaction leads to a modulation of the chromatin structure and subsequently to a modulation of gene expression of adjacent target genes. However, as numerous genes are endogenously regulated by T3, and a TRE appears to be absent in their regulatory elements, a TR-independent pathway of T3-mediated gene regulation is likely. In this review, we discuss the direct mechanisms of TR-dependent regulation of gene expression on the nuclear and mitochondrial genome by T3. We also summarise recent observations on an indirect mechanism of T3 action via intermediate factor(s). We discuss the regulation of nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1alpha) by T3, suggesting NRF-1 and PGC-1alpha as attractive candidates for an intermediate factor of T3 action in vivo.