Rauf Latif, PhD

The thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) expressed on the surface of thyroid epithelial cells is central to the regulation of thyroid growth, development and function. This unique GPCR undergoes complex post-translational processing such as intramolecular cleavage and oligomerization in addition to being localized to lipid rafts. Gaining insight into the regulation and signaling of this thyroid autoantigen is important pathophysiologically because of its extended presence in other extra-thyroidal tissues. Thus TSHR is important in thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid development and other extra-thyroidal conditions

Focus of the laboratory has been on understanding the role of these receptors in post-translational modifications and signaling. The receptors has also been a therapeutic target for the development of novel small molecules.