AUTHOR=Rurale Giuditta , Persani Luca , Marelli Federica 

TITLE=GLIS3 and Thyroid: A Pleiotropic Candidate Gene for Congenital Hypothyroidism

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2018.00730

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2018.00730

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p>Variations in the transcription factor Gli-similar 3 (<italic>GLIS3</italic>) gene have been associated to variable congenital endocrine defects, including both morphogenetic and functional thyroid alterations. Evidence from Glis3 knockout mice indicates a relevant role for <italic>GLIS3</italic> in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and postnatal thyroid gland growth, with a mechanism of action downstream of the TSH/TSHR interaction. However, the pathophysiological role of this transcription factor during the embryonic thyroid development remains unexplored. In this manuscript, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge on <italic>GLIS3</italic> function during development. As a perspective, we will present preliminary evidence in the zebrafish model in support of a potential role for this pleiotropic transcription factor in the early stages of thyroid gland development.</p>