[Studies on the thyrotropin receptor in the thyroid: positive cooperativity of Concanavalin A binding and its...

Concanavalin A (Con A) was tested for its ability to affect thyroid activation induced by the thyroid stimulators in mouse thyroid tissues. Con A was found to have the biphasic stimulatory and inhibitory effects of thyrotropin (TSH)-induced cyclic AMP formation and endocytosis, a step in thyroid hormone secretion, in mouse thyroid tissues. Low concentrations of Con A potentiated TSH-stimulated cyclic AMP formation and endocytosis. In contrast, high concentrations of Con A markedly inhibited TSH stimulations. These effects were reversed by the addition of methyl-alpha-D-glucoside to the second preincubation medium (without Con A) prior to TSH. A high concentration of Con A alone did not depress the basal levels of cyclic AMP or basal glucose oxidation in thyroid tissues. A high concentration of Con A also inhibited cyclic AMP formation induced by prostaglandin E2 and the long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS). Binding of 125I-labeled Con A to thyroid tissues increased with time up to 75 min and was very slowly reversible after attainment of equilibrium. Binding was directly proportional to tissue weight. Scatchard plot analysis on the binding of 125I-labeled Con A to thyroid tissues indicated a positive cooperativity which seemed to be well correlated to the biphasic effects.