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Genetics Home Reference: your guide to understanding genetic conditions
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TG

Reviewed May 2006

What is the official name of the TG gene?

The official name of this gene is “thyroglobulin.”

TG is the gene's official symbol. The TG gene is also known by other names, listed below.

What is the normal function of the TG gene?

The TG gene provides instructions for making a protein called thyroglobulin, one of the largest proteins in the body. This protein is found only in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped tissue in the lower neck. Thyroglobulin combines with iodine and is modified and broken down to release small molecules known as thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating growth, brain development, and the rate of chemical reactions in the body (metabolism). Thyroglobulin also serves as a protein storehouse for iodine and inactive thyroid hormone until these substances are needed.

How are changes in the TG gene related to health conditions?

congenital hypothyroidism - caused by mutations in the TG gene

Several TG gene mutations have been identified in people with a mild to severe thyroid hormone deficiency. When the deficiency is severe enough during fetal development, it can cause congenital hypothyroidism. The mutations either delete a small segment of the TG gene or change one of the DNA building blocks (base pairs). As a result, the 3-dimensional shape of thyroglobulin is altered, reducing the amount of properly structured protein that is available for thyroid hormone production. In most affected individuals, the thyroid gland is enlarged (goiter) in an attempt to compensate for reduced hormone production.

autoimmune disorders - associated with the TG gene

A major cause of thyroid disease is autoimmunity, in which the body's immune response turns against itself. The autoimmune response is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and involves the production of large Y-shaped proteins called antibodies or immunoglobulins. Instead of attacking foreign substances such as toxins or proteins from bacteria and viruses, antibodies sometimes inappropriately attack thyroid proteins. Antibodies that attack the body's own proteins are called autoantibodies. The presence of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin is an indication of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Hashimoto thyroiditis is a common type of autoimmune thyroid disease. Individuals with Hashimoto thyroiditis may have reduced thyroid activity (hypothyroidism) and an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). Some people with this disorder have autoantibodies to thyroglobulin.

other disorders - caused by mutations in the TG gene

TG gene mutations have also been identified in some people who have a goiter but normal or near normal thyroglobulin levels. These mutations either delete part of the TG gene or change one of the DNA building blocks (base pairs). As a result, the 3-dimensional shape of thyroglobulin is altered, reducing the amount of properly structured protein that is available for thyroid hormone production. The thyroid gland enlarges to compensate for decreased levels of thyroglobulin.

Where is the TG gene located?

Cytogenetic Location: 8q24

Molecular Location on chromosome 8: base pairs 133,879,204 to 134,147,142

The TG gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 8 at position 24.

The TG gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 8 at position 24.

More precisely, the TG gene is located from base pair 133,879,204 to base pair 134,147,142 on chromosome 8.

See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genelocation) in the Handbook.

Where can I find additional information about TG?

You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about TG helpful.

  • MedlinePlus - Health information

    • Encyclopedia: Autoimmune disorders (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000816.htm)
    • Encyclopedia: Hashimoto's disease (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000371.htm)
  • Educational resources - Information pages
    The National Women's Health Information Center (http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/hashimoto-disease.cfm)

  • Genetic Testing Registry - Repository of genetic test information

    • GTR: Genetic tests for TG (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gtr/tests/?term=7038%5Bgeneid%5D)

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.

  • PubMed - Recent literature (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((TG%5BTIAB%5D)%20OR%20(thyroglobulin%5BTIAB%5D))%20AND%20(thyroglobulin%5BMAJR%5D)%20AND%20((Genes%5BMH%5D)%20OR%20(Genetic%20Phenomena%5BMH%5D))%20AND%20english%5Bla%5D%20AND%20human%5Bmh%5D%20AND%20%22last%201800%20days%22%5Bdp%5D)

  • OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog

    • AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE, SUSCEPTIBILITY TO, 3 (http://omim.org/entry/608175)
    • THYROGLOBULIN (http://omim.org/entry/188450)

  • Research Resources - Tools for researchers

    • Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology (http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Genes/GC_TG.html)
    • Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7038)
    • GeneCards (http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?id_type=entrezgene&id=7038)
    • HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=11764)

What other names do people use for the TG gene or gene products?

  • AITD3
  • TGN
  • THYG_HUMAN

See How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.

What glossary definitions help with understanding TG?

autoimmune ; autoimmunity ; bacteria ; congenital ; deficiency ; DNA ; gene ; goiter ; hormone ; hypothyroidism ; immune response ; iodine ; metabolism ; protein ; TGN ; thyroglobulin ; thyroid ; thyroid hormones ; tissue

You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).

References

  • Ban Y, Greenberg DA, Concepcion E, Skrabanek L, Villanueva R, Tomer Y. Amino acid substitutions in the thyroglobulin gene are associated with susceptibility to human and murine autoimmune thyroid disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Dec 9;100(25):15119-24. Epub 2003 Dec 1. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14657345?dopt=Abstract)
  • Caron P, Moya CM, Malet D, Gutnisky VJ, Chabardes B, Rivolta CM, Targovnik HM. Compound heterozygous mutations in the thyroglobulin gene (1143delC and 6725G-->A [R2223H]) resulting in fetal goitrous hypothyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Aug;88(8):3546-53. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12915634?dopt=Abstract)
  • Corral J, Martín C, Pérez R, Sánchez I, Mories MT, San Millan JL, Miralles JM, González-Sarmiento R. Thyroglobulin gene point mutation associated with non-endemic simple goitre. Lancet. 1993 Feb 20;341(8843):462-4. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8094490?dopt=Abstract)
  • Entrez Gene (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7038)
  • González-Sarmiento R, Corral J, Mories MT, Corrales JJ, Miguel-Velado E, Miralles-Garcia JM. Monoallelic deletion in the 5' region of the thyroglobulin gene as a cause of sporadic nonendemic simple goiter. Thyroid. 2001 Aug;11(8):789-93. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11525274?dopt=Abstract)
  • Gough S. The thyroglobulin gene: the third locus for autoimmune thyroid disease or a false dawn? Trends Mol Med. 2004 Jul;10(7):302-5. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242676?dopt=Abstract)
  • Ieiri T, Cochaux P, Targovnik HM, Suzuki M, Shimoda S, Perret J, Vassart G. A 3' splice site mutation in the thyroglobulin gene responsible for congenital goiter with hypothyroidism. J Clin Invest. 1991 Dec;88(6):1901-5. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1752952?dopt=Abstract)
  • OMIM: THYROGLOBULIN (http://omim.org/entry/188450)
  • Tomer Y, Greenberg D. The thyroglobulin gene as the first thyroid-specific susceptibility gene for autoimmune thyroid disease. Trends Mol Med. 2004 Jul;10(7):306-8. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242677?dopt=Abstract)
  • van de Graaf SA, Ris-Stalpers C, Pauws E, Mendive FM, Targovnik HM, de Vijlder JJ. Up to date with human thyroglobulin. J Endocrinol. 2001 Aug;170(2):307-21. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11479128?dopt=Abstract)
  • van de Graaf SA, Ris-Stalpers C, Veenboer GJ, Cammenga M, Santos C, Targovnik HM, de Vijlder JJ, Medeiros-Neto G. A premature stopcodon in thyroglobulin messenger RNA results in familial goiter and moderate hypothyroidism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Jul;84(7):2537-42. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10404833?dopt=Abstract)
  • Vono-Toniolo J, Rivolta CM, Targovnik HM, Medeiros-Neto G, Kopp P. Naturally occurring mutations in the thyroglobulin gene. Thyroid. 2005 Sep;15(9):1021-33. Review. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16187910?dopt=Abstract)

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.

 
Reviewed: May 2006
Published: May 20, 2013