Nuclear triiodothyronine receptor binding characteristics and occupancy in obese (ob/ob) mice

Obese (ob/ob) mice exhibit reduced adaptive thermogenesis associated with an impairment of thyroid hormone action. The mechanism underlying the latter defect was investigated by comparing the binding characteristics and occupancy of solubilized nuclear 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) receptors from livers of lean and obese mice. Scatchard analysis showed minimal differences in Bmax and Kd between phenotypes at both 4 and 8-10 wk of age, indicating that reduced hepatic thyroid hormone expression in obese mice is not caused by alterations in nuclear receptor concentration or affinity. In contrast, nuclear T3 receptor occupancy (endogenous T3 associated with the specific receptor divided by Bmax) was 14 and 23% lower in 4- and 8- to 10-wk-old obese mice, respectively. Together with reported changes in hepatic thyroid hormone-sensitive enzymes, these data are consistent with a diminished nuclear T3 signal initiating thyroid hormone action in obese mice. Decreased nuclear T3 receptor occupancy may be secondary to a low transport of plasma T3 to the nuclear pool. In conclusion, impaired hepatic thyroid hormone action in obese mice is mediated in part at least by a reduction in nuclear T3 receptor occupancy.