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Aiello F, Palumbo S, Cirillo G, Tornese G, Fava D, Wasniewska M, Faienza MF, Bozzola M, Luongo C, Festa A, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Grandone A. MKRN3 circulating levels in girls with central precocious puberty caused by MKRN3 gene mutations. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:1477-1485. [PMID: 38112911 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02255-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE MKNR3 is a paternally expressed gene whose mutations are the main cause of central precocious puberty (CPP). Protein circulating levels can be easily measured, as demonstrated in idiopathic CPP and healthy controls. No data are available for patients harboring an MKRN3 mutation. Our aim was to perform MKRN3 mutation screening and to investigate if circulating protein levels could be a screening tool to identify MKRN3 mutation in CPP patients. METHODS We enrolled 140 CPP girls and performed MKRN3 mutation analysis. Patients were stratified into two groups: idiopathic CPP (iCPP) and MKRN3 mutation-related CPP (MKRN3-CPP). Clinical characteristics were collected. Serum MKRN3 values were measured by a commercially available ELISA assay kit in MKRN3-CPP and a subgroup of 15 iCPP patients. RESULTS We identified 5 patients with MKRN3 mutations: one was a novel mutation (p.Gln352Arg) while the others were previously reported (p.Arg328Cys, p.Arg345Cys, p.Pro160Cysfs*14, p.Cys410Ter). There was a significant difference in circulating MKRN3 values in MKRN3-CPP compared to iCPP (p < 0.001). In MKRN3-CPP, the subject harboring Pro160Cysfs*14 presented undetectable levels. Subjects carrying the missense mutations p.Arg328Cys and p.Gln352Arg showed divergent circulating protein levels, respectively 40.56 pg/mL and undetectable. The patient with the non-sense mutation reported low but measurable MKRN3 levels (12.72 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS MKRN3 defect in patients with CPP cannot be predicted by MKRN3 circulating levels, although those patients presented lower protein levels than iCPP. Due to the great inter-individual variability of the assay and the lack of reference values, no precise cut-off can be identified to suspect MKRN3 defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Aiello
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - S Palumbo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy.
| | - G Cirillo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - G Tornese
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - D Fava
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Wasniewska
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M F Faienza
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology and Rare Endocrine Diseases, Giovanni XXIII Pediatric Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - M Bozzola
- Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Onlus, Il Bambino e Il Suo Pediatra, Novara, Galliate, Italy
| | - C Luongo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - A Festa
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - E Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
| | - A Grandone
- Department of Women's and Children's Health and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Luigi De Crecchio 2, 80138, Napoli, Italy
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Peralta M, Lizcano F. Endocrine Disruptors and Metabolic Changes: Impact on Puberty Control. Endocr Pract 2024; 30:384-397. [PMID: 38185329 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the significant impact of environmental chemicals on disease development, focusing on their role in developing metabolic and endocrine diseases. The objective is to understand how these chemicals contribute to the increasing prevalence of precocious puberty, considering various factors, including epigenetic changes, lifestyle, and emotional disturbances. METHODS The study employs a comprehensive review of descriptive observational studies in both human and animal models to identify a degree of causality between exposure to environmental chemicals and disease development, specifically focusing on endocrine disruption. Due to ethical constraints, direct causation studies in human subjects are not feasible; therefore, the research relies on accumulated observational data. RESULTS Puberty is a crucial life period with marked physiological and psychological changes. The age at which sexual characteristics develop is changing in many regions. The findings indicate a correlation between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the early onset of puberty. These chemicals have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal processes, particularly during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. The research also highlights the interaction of these chemical exposures with other factors, including nutritional history, social and lifestyle changes, and emotional stress, which together contribute to the prevalence of precocious puberty. CONCLUSION Environmental chemicals significantly contribute to the development of certain metabolic and endocrine diseases, particularly in the rising incidence of precocious puberty. Although the evidence is mainly observational, it adequately justifies regulatory actions to reduce exposure risks. Furthermore, these findings highlight the urgent need for more research on the epigenetic effects of these chemicals and their wider impact on human health, especially during vital developmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Peralta
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia
| | - Fernando Lizcano
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Universidad de La Sabana, CIBUS, Chía, Colombia; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Fundación CardioInfantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia.
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