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Expression of the Pituitary Transcription Factor Ptx-1, But Not That of the Trans-Activating Factor Prop-1, Is Reduced in Human Corticotroph Adenomas and Is Associated with Decreased -Subunit Secretion¹

Departments of Endocrinology (M.K., A.G., G.M.B., J.P.M.), Clinical Biochemistry (R.H.S., J.M.B.), and Morbid Anatomy (J.F.G.), St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom E1 2AD

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. R. H. Skelly, Clinical Biochemistry, St. Bartholomews and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London, United Kingdom E1 2AD. E-mail: r.h.skelly{at}mds.qmw.ac.uk

We have studied the expression of the pituitary transcription factors Ptx-1 and Prop-1 in a series of 34 pituitary adenomas fully characterized for in vitro hormone secretion and histological staining. In studies involving mammalian cell lines, the pituitary transcription factor Ptx-1 has been shown to be a pituitary hormone panactivator, whereas more recent studies have shown that it plays an important role in -subunit gene expression. Its expression has not been examined previously in human pituitary adenomas characterized by in vitro hormone secretory profiles. Of the 34 pituitary adenomas studied, Ptx-1 expression was reduced by more than 50% compared to that of the housekeeping gene human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the 6 corticotroph adenomas, which also had significantly reduced -subunit production (all 6 tumors secreting 0.5 ng/24 h). Mutations of the pituitary transcription factor Prop-1, which is responsible for the syndrome of Ames dwarfism in mice, are being increasingly recognized as a cause of combined pituitary hormone deficiency in humans, although ACTH deficiency has been described only once. Prop-1 expression was detected in all 34 pituitary adenomas, including 6 corticotroph adenomas and 5 gonadotroph adenomas. The expression of Prop-1 has not been described previously in these cell phenotypes.

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