Posttranslational modification of prothyroid hormone

Posttranslational processing of thyroglobulin may influence its role as the prothyroid hormone. We have examined the role of glycosylation in the subsequent export and iodination of thyroglobulin. We find that glycosylation is necessary both for the movement of thyroglobulin through the cell and for iodination. During posttranslational processing, thyroglobulin is also phosphorylated and carboxymethylated. The implications of these postsynthetic modifications are discussed.