Application

Often used as a carrier protein for the production of antibodies. Its advantage is the large number of tyrosine residues that can be used for conjugation using the diazo reaction.

Thyroglobulin is used for antibody purification and characterization. Thyroglobulin has been used in studies assessing the monitoring of differentiated thyroid cancer as well as to develop an accurate diagnostic tool for patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Iodine-containing protein that is stored in the thyroid gland. Converted into circulating thyroxines when the thyroid is stimulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary. Because its expression is unique to the thyroid, it is a sensitive indicator of recurrence or metastasis of thyroid cancer that has been treated by thyroid ablation.