Although there appears to be no reported direct interaction of TRα and/or TRβ with the POMC promoter, POMC−/− animals displayed primary hyperthyroidism with elevated plasma T3/T4 levels, and suppressed hypothalamic TRH and pituitary TSH [35], indicating a potential as yet uncharacterized role for the melanocortin system in the regulation of the HPT axis [35]. The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is hyperthyroidism.