According to Entrez-Gene, THRSP maps to NC_000011.9 in the region between 77774907 and 77779307 on the plus strand and spans 5.6 kilobases. According to Spidey (mRNA to genomic sequence alignment tool), THRSP has two exons, the sizes being 481 and 603 bp. Only the smaller of these is translated.

THRSP mRNA NM_003251.2 has 1084 nt. The coding region of human mRNA for THRSP has 438 nt. Transcription is regulated via thyroid hormone and the SREBP-1c binding sites. Expression can be induced by progestin, glucose, thyroid hormone, and insulin. Antisense RNA knocks down S14 expression in hepatocytes, and this abrogates the induction of genes concerned with fatty acid synthesis by triiodothyronine and glucose.

The ancestral S14-related protein, also known as Strait 11499 and Mig12, may duplicate the function of S14 in hepatic, but not mammary, tissue.

THRSP is primarily a nuclear protein which is important in the regulation of lipid metabolism. It is induced by thyroid hormone, carbohydrate intake, adipose tissue differentiation, and lactation, and is inhibited by glucagon and conjugated linoleic acid. Expression of THRSP (Spot14) parallels that of fatty acid synthase in adipose, liver, and mammary tissue in bovine and murine species. Elevated expression of THRSP in human breast tumors is correlated with poor prognosis, whereas absence of expression is associated with longer survival.

A driver of de novo saturated fatty acid synthesis in normal and malignant tissues, Spot14 (S14, THRSP) was named for its position on two-dimensional gels of in vitro translation products. The gene is rapidly induced by thyroid hormone in rat liver, and it is strongly activated by glucose metabolism. An acidic protein of approximately 16 kD, it is localized primarily in the nucleus; three domains are conserved from its ancestral protein, Strait1499, also known as Mig12 and S14-related protein.
From immunohistochemical studies, the temporal and spatial expression patterns of murine Spot14 and fatty acid synthase (FASN) were regulated in parallel in mammary epithelium during pregnancy, lactation, and involution. In cattle, milk fat depression is associated with production of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as intermediates of fatty acid synthesis by rumen bacteria. Ingestion of a low forage, high oil diet leads to increased production of CLA, and this results in low milk fat content, and decreased expression of S14, FASN, sterol response element binding protein (SREBP), and responsive genes INSIG1 and INSIG2 in a coordinate manner. Breast epithelium does not express detectable levels of Spot14 or FASN in the resting state; however, during pregnancy and lactation, Spot14 and enzymes of lipid biosynthesis are expressed at high levels. Spot14 and FASN are expressed in most breast cancers, and high levels of Spot14 expression portend an aggressive course and high risk of recurrence, regardless of nodal status at diagnosis. Thus Spot14 represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Spot14 protein is expressed primarily in tissues which synthesize fatty acids. These tissues include white and brown adipose tissue, breast tissue, and liver. Expression is observed in a variety of malignancies, and it is a component of the lipogenic tumor phenotype, e.g., in human breast cancer.

By immunohistochemistry, Spot14 is localized primarily in the nucleus of rat liver, human mammary gland, and breast cancer cells.

Spot14 is involved in the regulation of lipid biosynthesis. Its precise function is not known. It exists as a heterodimer in human cells which are actively synthesizing lipids. Triggers for the induction of Spot14, such as hormones or refeeding after fasting, also trigger FASN activity. Furthermore, siRNAs and anti-sense RNAs directed against Spot14 inhibit expression of genes coding the lipid-synthesizing enzymes.

Homologous proteins are found in cow, rat, mouse, chicken, dog, and chimpanzee, as well as other species. An acidic protein of approximately 16.4 kDa, human THRSP bears 99% homology to its counterpart in Pan troglodytes, 91% to that in Macaca mulatta, 82% to that in Mus musculus, and 80% to that in Rattus norvegicus (data from NCBI BLAST). Three domains are conserved from the ancestral S14-related peptide (Strait 11499, Mig12, S14-related protein).

Mutations have been characterized in the chicken. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been noted in cow, rat, mouse, and chimpanzee. The SNP database in NCBI lists 63 human SNPs for THRSP.