Thyroid hormone receptor alpha is required for thyroid hormone-dependent neural cell proliferation during tadpole metamorphosis

Using tadpoles mutant for thyroid hormone receptor alpha (thra), we show that TRa is required for thyroid hormone (T3) induction of cell proliferation in the brain. RNA-sequencing showed that the TRa is required for 95% of the gene regulation responses to T3. Wild type and thra mutant tadpoles were treated with vehicle (DMSO) or T3 (5 nM) added to the aquarium water for 16 hr before sacrifice and tissue harvest. The region of the brain containing the preoptic area/hypothalamus/thalamus was microdissected, RNA isolated and RNA sequencing conducted.