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Ho KKY, Kaiser UB, Chanson P, Gadelha M, Wass J, Nieman L, Little A, Aghi MK, Raetzman L, Post K, Raverot G, Borowsky AD, Erickson D, Castaño JP, Laws ER, Zatelli MC, Sisco J, Esserman L, Yuen KCJ, Reincke M, Melmed S. Pituitary adenoma or neuroendocrine tumour: the need for an integrated prognostic classification. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:671-678. [PMID: 37592077 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00883-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
In the 2022 fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Endocrine Tumours and of Central Nervous System Tumours, pituitary adenomas are reclassified as neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). This change confers an oncology label to neoplasms that are overwhelmingly benign. A comprehensive clinical classification schema is required to guide prognosis, therapy and outcomes for all patients with pituitary adenomas. Pituitary adenomas and NETs exhibit some morphological and ultrastructural similarities. However, unlike NETs, pituitary adenomas are highly prevalent, yet indolent and rarely become malignant. This Perspective presents the outcomes of an interdisciplinary international workshop that addressed the merit and clinical implications of the classification change of pituitary adenoma to NET. Many non-histological factors provide mechanistic insight and influence the prognosis and treatment of pituitary adenoma. We recommend the development of a comprehensive classification that integrates clinical, genetic, biochemical, radiological, pathological and molecular information for all anterior pituitary neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken K Y Ho
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Ursula B Kaiser
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Phillippe Chanson
- Université Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Monica Gadelha
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Lynnette Nieman
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Manish K Aghi
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lori Raetzman
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kalmon Post
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gerald Raverot
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | | | | | - Justo P Castaño
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | | | - Jill Sisco
- The Acromegaly Community, Grove, OK, USA
| | - Laura Esserman
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin C J Yuen
- Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Martin Reincke
- Klinikum der Universität, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
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Le Ciclé C, Pacini V, Rama N, Tauszig-Delamasure S, Airaud E, Petit F, de Beco S, Cohen-Tannoudji J, L'hôte D. The Neurod1/4-Ntrk3-Src pathway regulates gonadotrope cell adhesion and motility. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:327. [PMID: 37658038 PMCID: PMC10474047 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01615-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotrope cells are essential for the endocrine regulation of reproduction in vertebrates. These cells emerge early during embryogenesis, colonize the pituitary glands and organize in tridimensional networks, which are believed to be crucial to ensure proper regulation of fertility. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the organization of gonadotrope cell population during embryogenesis remain poorly understood. In this work, we characterized the target genes of NEUROD1 and NEUROD4 transcription factors in the immature gonadotrope αT3-1 cell model by in silico functional genomic analyses. We demonstrated that NEUROD1/4 regulate genes belonging to the focal adhesion pathway. Using CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out approaches, we established a double NEUROD1/4 knock-out αT3-1 cell model and demonstrated that NEUROD1/4 regulate cell adhesion and cell motility. We then characterized, by immuno-fluorescence, focal adhesion number and signaling in the context of NEUROD1/4 insufficiency. We demonstrated that NEUROD1/4 knock-out leads to an increase in the number of focal adhesions associated with signaling abnormalities implicating the c-Src kinase. We further showed that the neurotrophin tyrosine kinase receptor 3 NTRK3, a target of NEUROD1/4, interacts physically with c-Src. Furthermore, using motility rescue experiments and time-lapse video microscopy, we demonstrated that NTRK3 is a major regulator of gonadotrope cell motility. Finally, using a Ntrk3 knock-out mouse model, we showed that NTRK3 regulates gonadotrope cells positioning in the developing pituitary, in vivo. Altogether our study demonstrates that the Neurod1/4-Ntrk3-cSrc pathway is a major actor of gonadotrope cell mobility, and thus provides new insights in the regulation of gonadotrope cell organization within the pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Le Ciclé
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Pacini
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Rama
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Servane Tauszig-Delamasure
- Institut NeuroMyoGène - CNRS UMR 5310 - Inserm U1217 de Lyon - UCBL Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Lyon, France
| | - Eloïse Airaud
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Florence Petit
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Simon de Beco
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - David L'hôte
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, F-75013, Paris, France.
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Winningham AH, Camper SA. Pituitary Stem Cell Regulation by Zeb2 and BMP Signaling. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad016. [PMID: 36683433 PMCID: PMC10091485 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important for many developing organs, and for wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer. Pituitary stem cells undergo an EMT-like process as they migrate and initiate differentiation, but little is known about the input of signaling pathways or the genetic hierarchy of the transcriptional cascade. Prop1 mutant stem cells fail to undergo changes in cellular morphology, migration, and transition to the Pou1f1 lineage. We used Prop1 mutant mice to identify the changes in gene expression that are affiliated with EMT-like processes. BMP and TGF-β family gene expression was reduced in Prop1 mutants and Elf5, a transcription factor that characteristically suppresses EMT, had elevated expression. Genes involved in cell-cell contact such as cadherins and claudins were elevated in Prop1 mutants. To establish the genetic hierarchy of control, we manipulated gene expression in pituitary stem cell colonies. We determined that the EMT inducer, Zeb2, is necessary for robust BMP signaling and repression of Elf5. We demonstrated that inhibition of BMP signaling affects expression of target genes in the Id family, but it does not affect expression of other EMT genes. Zeb2 is necessary for expression of the SHH effector gene Gli2. However, knock down of Gli2 has little effect on the EMT-related genes, suggesting that it acts through a separate pathway. Thus, we have established the genetic hierarchy involved in the transition of pituitary stem cells to differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda H Winningham
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5618, USA
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Transcriptomic Profiles of Normal Pituitary Cells and Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010110. [PMID: 36612109 PMCID: PMC9817686 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland is one of the most cellularly diverse regions of the brain. Recent advancements in transcriptomic biology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, bring an unprecedented glimpse into the molecular composition of the pituitary, both in its normal physiological state and in disease. Deciphering the normal pituitary transcriptomic signatures provides a better insight into the ontological origin and development of five types of endocrine cells, a process involving complex cascades of transcription factors that are still being established. In parallel with these observations about normal pituitary development, recent transcriptomic findings on pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) demonstrate both preservations and changes in transcription factor expression patterns compared to those seen during gland development. Furthermore, recent studies also identify differentially expressed genes that drive various tumor behaviors, including hormone hypersecretion and tumor aggression. Understanding the comprehensive multiomic profiles of PitNETs is essential in developing molecular profile-based therapies for PitNETs not curable with current treatment modalities and could eventually help align PitNETs with the breakthroughs being made in applying precision medicine to other tumors.
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Abstract
Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, clotting disorders) and shortens life because of infections, pulmonary thromboembolism, and cardiovascular disease. Its clinical presentation is immensely variable, and diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. Thus, there are many opportunities for basic and clinical research leading to better tests, faster diagnosis, and optimized medical treatments. This review focuses on CS caused by excessive adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production. It describes current concepts of the regulation of ACTH synthesis and secretion by normal corticotropes and mechanisms by which dysregulation occurs in corticotrope (termed "Cushing's disease") and noncorticotrope (so-called ectopic) ACTH-producing tumors. ACTH causes adrenal gland synthesis and pulsatile release of cortisol; the excess ACTH in these forms of CS leads to the hypercortisolism of endogenous CS. Again, the differences between healthy individuals and those with CS are highlighted. The clinical presentations and their use in the interpretation of CS screening tests are described. The tests used for screening and differential diagnosis of CS are presented, along with their relationship to cortisol dynamics, pathophysiology, and negative glucocorticoid feedback regulation in the two forms of ACTH-dependent CS. Finally, several gaps in current understanding are highlighted in the hope of stimulating additional research into this challenging disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnette K Nieman
- Diabetes, Endocrinology and Obesity Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Drouin J. The corticotroph cells from early development to tumorigenesis. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13147. [PMID: 35524583 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
During development, highly specialized differentiated cells, such as pituitary secretory cells, acquire their identity and properties through a series of specification events exerted by transcription factors to implement a unique gene expression program and epigenomic state. The investigation of these developmental processes informs us on the unique features of a cell lineage, both to explain these features and also to outline where these processes may fail and cause disease. This review summarizes present knowledge on the developmental origin of pituitary corticotroph and melanotroph cells and on the underlying molecular mechanisms. At the onset, comparison of gene expression programs active in pituitary progenitors compared to those active in differentiated corticotrophs or melanotrophs indicated dramatic differences in the control of, for example, the cell cycle. Tpit is the transcription factor that determines terminal differentiation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) lineages, both corticotrophs and melanotrophs, and its action involves this switch in cell cycle control in parallel with activation of cell-specific gene expression. There is thus far more to making a corticotroph cell than just activating transcription of the POMC gene. Indeed, Tpit also controls implementation of mechanisms for enhanced protein translation capacity and development of extensive secretory organelles. The corticotroph cell identity also includes mechanisms responsible for homotypic cell-cell interactions between corticotrophs and for privileged heterotypic cell interactions with pituitary cells of other lineages. The review also summarizes current knowledge on how a pioneer transcription factor, Pax7, remodels the epigenome such that the same determination transcription factor, Tpit, will implement the melanotroph program of gene expression. Finally, this canvas of regulatory mechanisms implementing POMC lineage identities constitutes the background to understand alterations that characterize corticotroph adenomas of Cushing's disease patients. The integration of all these data into a unified scheme will likely yield a scheme to globally understand pathogenic mechanisms in Cushing's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Drouin
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Chen Z, Jia Q, Zhao Z, Zhang Q, Chen Y, Qiao N, Ye Z, Ji C, Zhang Y, He W, Shi C, Cai Y, Yao B, Han R, Wang Y, Shou X, Shen M, Cao X, Zhou X, Cheng H, Zhu J, Hu Y, Zhang Z, Ye H, Li Y, Li S, Wang Y, Ma Z, Ni T, Zhao Y. Transcription Factor ASCL1 Acts as a Novel Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of the Cushing's Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2296-2306. [PMID: 35521682 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. In this multiomics study, we combined RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) with Sanger sequencing to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of achaete-scute complex homolog 1 (ASCL1), a pioneer transcription factor, as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of CD and its possible downstream pathway. METHODS RNA-seq was adopted to investigate the gene expression profile of CD, and Sanger sequencing was adopted to detect gene mutations. Bioinformatics analysis was used to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. The function of ASCL1 in hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were studied in vitro. The effectiveness of an ASCL1 inhibitor was evaluated in primary CD cells, and the clinical relevance of ASCL1 was examined in 68 patients with CD. RNA-seq in AtT-20 cells on Ascl1 knockdown combined with published chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data and dual luciferase assays were used to explore downstream pathways. RESULTS ASCL1 was exclusively overexpressed in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in AtT-20 cells. An ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD. CONCLUSION Our findings help to clarify the pathogenesis of CD and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD. SUMMARY The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. Moreover, few effective medical therapies are currently available for the treatment of CD. Here, using a multiomics approach, we first report the aberrant overexpression of the transcription factor gene ASCL1 in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors of CD. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in mouse AtT-20 cells. Notably, an ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. Importantly, ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD. Thus, our findings improve understanding of CD pathogenesis and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Qi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhaozhao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qilin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Nidan Qiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Zhao Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Chenxing Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Wenqiang He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Chengzhang Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yixin Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Boyuan Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuefei Shou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Ming Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Xiaoyun Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Haixia Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoyun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongying Ye
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiqi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yongfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Zengyi Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Ting Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 201100, China
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8
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Stallings CE, Kapali J, Evans BW, McGee SR, Ellsworth BS. FOXO Transcription Factors Are Required for Normal Somatotrope Function and Growth. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6490941. [PMID: 34971379 PMCID: PMC8782608 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary organogenesis and function is essential for improving therapeutics and molecular diagnoses for hypopituitarism. We previously found that deletion of the forkhead factor, Foxo1, in the pituitary gland early in development delays somatotrope differentiation. While these mice grow normally, they have reduced growth hormone expression and free serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels, suggesting a defect in somatotrope function. FOXO factors show functional redundancy in other tissues, so we deleted both Foxo1 and its closely related family member, Foxo3, from the primordial pituitary. We find that this results in a significant reduction in growth. Consistent with this, male and female mice in which both genes have been deleted in the pituitary gland (dKO) exhibit reduced pituitary growth hormone expression and serum IGF1 levels. Expression of the somatotrope differentiation factor, Neurod4, is reduced in these mice. This suggests a mechanism underlying proper somatotrope function is the regulation of Neurod4 expression by FOXO factors. Additionally, dKO mice have reduced Lhb expression and females also have reduced Fshb and Prl expression. These studies reveal FOXO transcription factors as important regulators of pituitary gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Jyoti Kapali
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Brian W Evans
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Stacey R McGee
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Correspondence: Buffy S. Ellsworth, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1135 Lincoln Drive, Life Science III room 2062, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
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Daly AZ, Dudley LA, Peel MT, Liebhaber SA, Parker SCJ, Camper SA. Multi-omic profiling of pituitary thyrotropic cells and progenitors. BMC Biol 2021; 19:76. [PMID: 33858413 PMCID: PMC8051135 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pituitary gland is a neuroendocrine organ containing diverse cell types specialized in secreting hormones that regulate physiology. Pituitary thyrotropes produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a critical factor for growth and maintenance of metabolism. The transcription factors POU1F1 and GATA2 have been implicated in thyrotrope fate, but the transcriptomic and epigenomic landscapes of these neuroendocrine cells have not been characterized. The goal of this work was to discover transcriptional regulatory elements that drive thyrotrope fate. RESULTS We identified the transcription factors and epigenomic changes in chromatin that are associated with differentiation of POU1F1-expressing progenitors into thyrotropes using cell lines that represent an undifferentiated Pou1f1 lineage progenitor (GHF-T1) and a committed thyrotrope line that produces TSH (TαT1). We compared RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, histone modification (H3K27Ac, H3K4Me1, and H3K27Me3), and POU1F1 binding in these cell lines. POU1F1 binding sites are commonly associated with bZIP transcription factor consensus binding sites in GHF-T1 cells and Helix-Turn-Helix (HTH) or basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) factors in TαT1 cells, suggesting that these classes of transcription factors may recruit or cooperate with POU1F1 binding at unique sites. We validated enhancer function of novel elements we mapped near Cga, Pitx1, Gata2, and Tshb by transfection in TαT1 cells. Finally, we confirmed that an enhancer element near Tshb can drive expression in thyrotropes of transgenic mice, and we demonstrate that GATA2 enhances Tshb expression through this element. CONCLUSION These results extend the ENCODE multi-omic profiling approach to the pituitary gland, which should be valuable for understanding pituitary development and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Z Daly
- Department Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Lindsey A Dudley
- Department Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Michael T Peel
- Department Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Incyte, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Stephen A Liebhaber
- Department Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stephen C J Parker
- Department Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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10
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Transcription Factors of the bHLH Family Delineate Vertebrate Landmarks in the Nervous System of a Simple Chordate. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111262. [PMID: 33114624 PMCID: PMC7693978 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tunicates are marine invertebrates whose tadpole-like larvae feature a highly simplified version of the chordate body plan. Similar to their distant vertebrate relatives, tunicate larvae develop a regionalized central nervous system and form distinct neural structures, which include a rostral sensory vesicle, a motor ganglion, and a caudal nerve cord. The sensory vesicle contains a photoreceptive complex and a statocyst, and based on the comparable expression patterns of evolutionarily conserved marker genes, it is believed to include proto-hypothalamic and proto-retinal territories. The evolutionarily conserved molecular fingerprints of these landmarks of the vertebrate brain consist of genes encoding for different transcription factors, and of the gene batteries that they control, and include several members of the bHLH family. Here we review the complement of bHLH genes present in the streamlined genome of the tunicate Ciona robusta and their current classification, and summarize recent studies on proneural bHLH transcription factors and their expression territories. We discuss the possible roles of bHLH genes in establishing the molecular compartmentalization of the enticing nervous system of this unassuming chordate.
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11
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Zhang S, Cui Y, Ma X, Yong J, Yan L, Yang M, Ren J, Tang F, Wen L, Qiao J. Single-cell transcriptomics identifies divergent developmental lineage trajectories during human pituitary development. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5275. [PMID: 33077725 PMCID: PMC7572359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior pituitary gland plays a central role in regulating various physiological processes, including body growth, reproduction, metabolism and stress response. Here, we perform single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 4113 individual cells from human fetal pituitaries. We characterize divergent developmental trajectories with distinct transitional intermediate states in five hormone-producing cell lineages. Corticotropes exhibit an early intermediate state prior to full differentiation. Three cell types of the PIT-1 lineage (somatotropes, lactotropes and thyrotropes) segregate from a common progenitor coexpressing lineage-specific transcription factors of different sublineages. Gonadotropes experience two multistep developmental trajectories. Furthermore, we identify a fetal gonadotrope cell subtype expressing the primate-specific hormone chorionic gonadotropin. We also characterize the cellular heterogeneity of pituitary stem cells and identify a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state and an early-to-late state transition. Here, our results provide insights into the transcriptional landscape of human pituitary development, defining distinct cell substates and subtypes and illustrating transcription factor dynamics during cell fate commitment. Editor’s summary_NCOMMS-19-41732B The anterior pituitary gland controls body growth and reproduction but how early development is dynamically regulated is unclear. Here, the authors use scRNA-seq of human fetal pituitaries to identify different developmental routes and state transitions of five hormone-producing cell lineages, and a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state of pituitary stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yueli Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jun Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Lu Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, School of Life Sciences, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.
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12
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Cheng J, Qin WJ, Balsai N, Shang XJ, Zhang MT, Chen HQ. Transcriptional activity of FIGLA, NEUROG2, and EGR1 transcription factors associated with polymorphisms in the proximal regulatory region of GPR54 gene in cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 218:106506. [PMID: 32507252 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Activity of transcription factors affect synthesis of G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), an important factor in regulation of initiation of puberty. Expression of the GPR54 gene in cattle is associated with polymorphisms in the proximal regulatory region (PRR) of the GPR54 gene. Transcription resulting in production of GPR54 mRNA transcript occurs as a result of transcription factor (TF) interactions in the PRR. Polymorphisms in the PRR may be associated with extent of activity of these TFs. Folliculogenesis-specific BHLH TF (FIGLA), neurogenin 2 (NEUROG2), and early growth response 1 (EGR1) are important in modulation of ovarian follicle development and neurons synthesizing GnRH, thus, regulating biosynthesis of luteinizing hormone. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the transcription-activating potential of binding sites for FIGLA, NEUROG2, and EGR1 TFs in the GPR54 promoter of cattle. Two luciferase-based promoters, ATC and CCT, which contain three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), A/C-794, T/C-663, and C/T-601, in the GPR54 PRR, were analyzed to evaluate gene expression and activation of different promoters by FIGLA, NEUROG2, and EGR1. The FIGLA induced GPR54 transcription through the CCT, whereas NEUROG2 and EGR1 induced GPR54 transcription through the ATC promoter-binding site. The CCT-activating effects of FIGLA were greater (2.56-fold) than the ATC-activating effects (P < 0.05). The ATC-activating effects of NEUROG2 and EGR1 were markedly greater (12.91- and 8.41-fold; P < 0.01) than CCT-activating effects. The polymorphisms, CCT and ATC, of the cattle GPR54 affect the activity of transcription factors, therefore, have an important effect on production of GPR54 mRNA transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Cheng
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wen-Juan Qin
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui Agricultural University International Immunization Center, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Nyamsuren Balsai
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Xuan-Jian Shang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Meng-Ting Zhang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Hong-Quan Chen
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China; Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Conservation and Biobreeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China; Anhui Agricultural University International Immunization Center, Hefei, 230036, China.
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13
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Gergics P. Pituitary Transcription Factor Mutations Leading to Hypopituitarism. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2019; 111:263-298. [PMID: 31588536 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25905-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Congenital pituitary hormone deficiency is a disabling condition. It is part of a spectrum of disorders including craniofacial midline developmental defects ranging from holoprosencephaly through septo-optic dysplasia to combined and isolated pituitary hormone deficiency. The first genes discovered in the human disease were based on mouse models of dwarfism due to mutations in transcription factor genes. High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies enabled clinicians and researchers to find novel genetic causes of hypopituitarism for the more than three quarters of patients without a known genetic diagnosis to date. Transcription factor (TF) genes are at the forefront of the functional analysis of novel variants of unknown significance due to the relative ease in in vitro testing in a research lab. Genetic testing in hypopituitarism is of high importance to the individual and their family to predict phenotype composition, disease progression and to avoid life-threatening complications such as secondary adrenal insufficiency.This chapter aims to highlight our current understanding about (1) the contribution of TF genes to pituitary development (2) the diversity of inheritance and phenotype features in combined and select isolated pituitary hormone deficiency and (3) provide an initial assessment on how to approach variants of unknown significance in human hypopituitarism. Our better understanding on how transcription factor gene variants lead to hypopituitarism is a meaningful step to plan advanced therapies to specific genetic changes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gergics
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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