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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/tshb/

TSHB gene

thyroid stimulating hormone subunit beta

Normal Function

The TSHB gene provides instructions for one piece (subunit) of a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid stimulating hormone consists of two subunits called alpha and beta. The TSHB gene provides instructions for making the beta subunit. The alpha and beta subunits are bound together to produce the active form of the hormone. A particular segment of the beta subunit, known as the buckle or seatbelt, wraps around the alpha subunit to form the active hormone. This seatbelt region also helps stabilize the hormone's structure.

Thyroid stimulating hormone is made in the pituitary gland, a gland at the base of the brain. This hormone plays an important role in the growth and function of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped tissue in the lower neck. It also stimulates the production of thyroid hormones, which play a critical role in regulating growth, brain development, and the rate of chemical reactions in the body (metabolism). The pituitary gland monitors levels of thyroid hormones. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, the pituitary gland releases thyroid stimulating hormone into the bloodstream. Thyroid stimulating hormone, in turn, signals increased thyroid gland growth and production of thyroid hormones.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Congenital hypothyroidism

Researchers have identified at least 10 TSHB gene mutations involved in congenital hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones starting from birth. TSHB gene mutations are the primary cause of a form of the condition called central congenital hypothyroidism, which occurs when stimulation of thyroid hormone production by the pituitary gland is impaired.

TSHB gene mutations involved in congenital hypothyroidism alter the size or shape of the thyroid stimulating hormone beta subunit. Many of the mutations affect the beta subunit's seatbelt region. Some mutations severely shorten the beta subunit, eliminating the seatbelt region partially or entirely. Other mutations change the protein building blocks (amino acids) used to make the beta subunit. As a result, the seatbelt region cannot buckle around the alpha subunit. TSHB gene mutations prevent the production of functional thyroid stimulating hormone or its release (secretion) from the pituitary gland. As a result, thyroid hormone production is not stimulated, leading to low hormone levels that are characteristic of congenital hypothyroidism. Additionally, the thyroid gland is reduced in size (hypoplastic) because its growth is not stimulated.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • thyroid stimulating hormone, beta
  • thyrotropin beta chain precursor
  • thyrotropin beta subunit
  • TSH-BETA
  • TSHB_HUMAN

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Deladoey J, Vuissoz JM, Domene HM, Malik N, Gruneiro-Papendieck L, Chiesa A, Heinrich JJ, Mullis PE. Congenital secondary hypothyroidism due to a mutation C105Vfs114X thyrotropin-beta mutation: genetic study of five unrelated families from Switzerland and Argentina. Thyroid. 2003 Jun;13(6):553-9. doi: 10.1089/105072503322238818. Citation on PubMed
  • Medeiros-Neto G, Herodotou DT, Rajan S, Kommareddi S, de Lacerda L, Sandrini R, Boguszewski MC, Hollenberg AN, Radovick S, Wondisford FE. A circulating, biologically inactive thyrotropin caused by a mutation in the beta subunit gene. J Clin Invest. 1996 Mar 1;97(5):1250-6. doi: 10.1172/JCI118540. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Partsch CJ, Riepe FG, Krone N, Sippell WG, Pohlenz J. Initially elevated TSH and congenital central hypothyroidism due to a homozygous mutation of the TSH beta subunit gene: case report and review of the literature. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2006 May;114(5):227-34. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-924232. Citation on PubMed
  • Pohlenz J, Dumitrescu A, Aumann U, Koch G, Melchior R, Prawitt D, Refetoff S. Congenital secondary hypothyroidism caused by exon skipping due to a homozygous donor splice site mutation in the TSHbeta-subunit gene. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Jan;87(1):336-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem.87.1.8154. Citation on PubMed
  • Ramos HE, Labedan I, Carre A, Castanet M, Guemas I, Tron E, Madhi F, Delacourt C, Maciel RM, Polak M. New cases of isolated congenital central hypothyroidism due to homozygous thyrotropin beta gene mutations: a pitfall to neonatal screening. Thyroid. 2010 Jun;20(6):639-45. doi: 10.1089/thy.2009.0462. Citation on PubMed
  • Vuissoz JM, Deladoey J, Buyukgebiz A, Cemeroglu P, Gex G, Gallati S, Mullis PE. New autosomal recessive mutation of the TSH-beta subunit gene causing central isolated hypothyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Sep;86(9):4468-71. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.9.7876. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.