Thyroid hormone inhibits fatty acid synthase gene transcription in chicken liver

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on regulation of fatty acid synthase in chicken liver was investigated. In hypothyroid animals, enzyme activity was about one half of that in euthyroid animals. T3 treatment increased the enzyme activity in hypothyroid animals. There is little difference in both the mRNA concentration and the transcription rate between euthyroid and hypothyroid animals. T3 treatment markedly decreased both the mRNA concentration and the transcription rate in euthyroid and hypothyroid animals. These results suggested that T3 maintained the normal level of enzyme expression primarily by stimulating the post-transcriptional step, while the transcription of the gene was inhibited by hyperthyroidism.