IMPACT OF Na+/I<sup>-</sup> SYMPORTER TO NON-ONCOLOGIC PATHOLOGY OF THE THYROID
The Na<sup>+</sup>/I<sup>-</sup> symporter is a membrane protein implicated in iodide transport into thyroid follicular cells. The article reviews data on structure and function of Na+/I<sup>-</sup> symporter as well as transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of Na<sup>+</sup>/I<sup>-</sup> symporter and regulation of Na+/I<sup>-</sup> symporter expression by cytokines. The review summarizes current knowledge on implication of Na+/I<sup>-</sup> symporter in non-oncologic pathology of the thyroid like autoimmune diseases, non-thyroidal illness syndrome, and thyroid dysfunction associated with exposure to environmental pollutants like endocrine disruptors.