ISSN:
1573-7403
Keywords:
estrogen receptor
;
pituitary adenoma
;
RT-PCR
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Estrogen (E2), acting via its nuclear receptors, has been implicated in tumor development and growth, particularly in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. E2 also modulates anterior pituitary hormone production and is a potent cell mitogen. Until recently, the actions of E2 were thought to be mediated by a single estrogen receptor (ER) isoform (ERα), and currently little is known of the pathophysiological relevance of the ERβ isoform. The presence of ERβ mRNA has been demonstrated by RT-PCR in the normal human pituitary, although expression of ERβ mRNA in human pituitary tumors has not been described. We have used semiquantitative RT-PCR to determine the relative levels of expression of ERβ mRNA in normal human pituitaries, non-functioning pituitary adenomas and GH-secreting tumors. ERβ mRNA was detected in normal pituitaries and all pituitary tumors examined. The ratio of ERβ mRNA to β-actin mRNA expression was significantly reduced in non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFTs; 0.92 ± 0.09; mean ± SE; n=23) compared with findings in normal pituitaries (1.56 ± 0.21; mean ± SE; n=5; p〈0.05 Student's t-test). Studies of ERβ protein expression are required to determine the functional significance of reduced ERβ mRNA expression in NFTs.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009928420333
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