Characterization of outer ring iodothyronine deiodinases in tissues of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

Abstract

The distribution and characterization of outer ring deiodination (ORD) using reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) and thyroxine (T4) as substrates is reported in microsomes of liver, kidney, lung, heart, gut, and brain tissues from juvenile saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). In lung and heart only small amounts of rT3 ORD and T4 ORD were detected, while in brain only a small amount of T4 ORD was detected. More detailed characterization studies could be performed on liver, kidney, and gut microsomes. Reverse T3 outer ring deiodination (rT3 ORD) was the predominant activity in liver and kidney microsomes. The properties of crocodile liver and kidney rT3 ORD, such as preference for rT3 as sub..