Thyroglobulin

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a 660 kDa, dimeric protein produced by the follicular cells of the thyroid and used entirely within the thyroid gland. Thyroglobulin protein accounts for approximately half of the protein content of the thyroid gland.

Each thyroglobulin molecule contains approximately 100-120 tyrosyl (Tyrosine) residues. However, because only a small number (>20) of these tyrosine residues are subject to iodination by thyroperoxidase in the follicular colloid, each Tg molecule is only able to form very small amounts of thyroid hormone (5-6 molecules of either T4 and T3).

Function

Tg is used by the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The active form of triiodothyronine, 3, 5, 3' triiodothyronine, is produced both within the thyroid gland and in the periphery by 5'-deiodinase (which has been referred to as tetraiodothyronine 5' deiodinase). It is presumed that Tg and thyroid are also an important storage of iodine for all body needs, in particular, for many iodine-concentrating organs such as breast, stomach, salivary glands, thymus, choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid, etc. (see iodine in biology).