Expression of prolactin-releasing peptide and its receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in normal human pituitary and pituitary adenomas

The recently identified PRL-releasing peptide (PrRP) is the first hypothalamic peptide hormone that specifically stimulates PRL production from the pituitary gland. Similar to other hypothalamic regulatory hormones, it acts through its specific seven-transmembrane domain, G protein-coupled receptor. Using RT-PCR, we examined messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of PrRP and its receptor in normal human pituitary tissue and in pituitary tumors. PrRP mRNA was expressed in all five normal pituitary glands examined. In contrast, PrRP mRNA was detected in only 5 of 11 of the human prolactinomas. All 5 prolactinomas expressing PrRP were responsive to dopamine agonist treatment, whereas PrRP-negative prolactinomas were non- or partially responsive. PrRP mRNA was also detected in 6 of 13 GH-secreting tumors and 5 of 10 clinically nonfunctioning tumors investigated. PrRP receptor mRNA was found in all the normal and neoplastic human pituitary samples studied. The production of PrRP and its receptor by normal and neoplastic pituitary tissue raises the question of whether it may regulate PRL production in an autocrine/paracrine manner in pituitary tissue. Further investigation of PrRP and its receptor expression and function will be needed to clarify its potential role in regulating PRL secretion in normal human lactotrophs and pituitary tumors.     

Expression of messenger ribonucleic acids encoding neuropeptide-Y, substance-P, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in human pituitary.

The local production of autocrine or paracrine agents in endocrine tissues represents an important level of hormonal regulation. The synthesis of neuropeptide-Y (NPY), substance-P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the rat anterior pituitary gland has been well demonstrated. We have now studied their expression in human postmortem pituitary tissue. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA from whole human pituitaries revealed mRNA encoding the precursors for NPY, SP, and VIP whose hybridization characteristics were indistinguishable from those of the same mRNAs described in previously characterized human tissues. VIP mRNA was detectable in all samples tested, with NPY and preprotachykinin-A mRNA (which encodes SP) detectable in a subset of the pituitaries. The concentration of immunoreactive NPY in whole human pituitary was 3.8 +/- 1.1 pmol/g wet wt in males and 2.9 +/- 0.5 pmol/g wet wt in females (mean +/- SEM; n = 10), that of SP was 3.1 +/- 0.4 pmol/g wet wt in males and 5.2 +/- 1.3 pmol/g wet wt in females (n = 10), and that of VIP was 8.1 +/- 2.9 pmol/g wet wt in males and 5.3 +/- 1.6 pmol/g wet wt in females (n = 10). Size-fractionation of pituitary extracts by gel permeation chromatography revealed single peaks of NPY and VIP-like immunoreactivity in the positions of the standards, while SP-like immunoreactivity mostly eluted in the position of synthetic SP, with two minor immunoreactive peaks eluting earlier. The low levels of NPY, SP, and VIP and their mRNAs in the human pituitary are consistent with peptides having an autocrine/paracrine, rather than endocrine, mode of action.     

Peptide biosynthetic processing: distinguishing prohormone convertases PC1 and PC2

To determine whether manipulation of time, temperature and intragranular pH could be used to distinguish the actions of two subtilisin-related endoproteases, PC1 and PC2, in peptide biosynthesis, the biosynthetic processing of proneuropeptide Y (proNPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) was examined in pituitary cell lines. AtT-20 cells express PC1 and POMC endogenously; stably transfected AtT-20 lines expressing NPY or PC2 were studied. GH3 cells express PC2 endogenously; NPY-expressing GH3 transfectants were investigated. PC1 mediated rapid processing of NPY and POMC; PC1-dependent cleavages were relatively insensitive to 20°C blockade (which arrests secretory pathway transport at the trans-Golgi network) and do not require an acidic intracellular compartment (as in secretory granules). PC2 mediated much slower processing of proNPY and POMC which was totally blocked at 20°C and required an acidic intracellular compartment. Thus, kinetics, abolition of intracellular pH gradients, and incubation at reduced temperatures can be used to distinguish PC1 and PC2 actions in neuroendocrine cells.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone regulates gonadotropin beta-subunit and chromogranin-B messenger ribonucleic acids in cultured chromogranin-A-positive pituitary adenomas

Chromogranin-A-positive pituitary adenomas include glycoprotein hormone-producing adenomas, null cell adenomas, and a few other pituitary adenomas. We studied the effects of GnRH, CRF, dexamethasone, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on FSH and LH secretion and on FSH beta and chromogranin-A and -B mRNA expression in 10 chromogranin-A-positive adenomas in vitro to analyze the regulation of FSH and chromogranin-A and -B expression in these neoplasms. Most adenomas responded to GnRH stimulation during 7 days in culture with a 2- to 10-fold increase in FSH and LH secretion and a 2- to 7-fold increase in FSH beta mRNA compared to control values. CRF and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also stimulated FSH and LH secretion 2- to 5-fold in five of seven and three of three cases, respectively, during 7 days in culture. Dexamethasone stimulated both FSH and LH secretion in two of three cases as well as FSH beta mRNA in vitro in the one case examined. GnRH treatment consistently produced a 2-fold increase in chromogranin-B mRNA, but not in chromogranin-A mRNA, after 7 days of culture. These results indicate that many chromogranin-A-positive adenomas respond to GnRH and CRF in vitro by increased hormone secretion and that GnRH stimulation leads to increased amounts of FSH beta and chromogranin-B mRNAs. The differential response of chromogranin-A and -B mRNAs after GnRH stimulation indicates that the chromogranin genes are highly regulated in these tumors.     

Identification of adrenocorticotropin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in the human pituitary and its loss of expression in pituitary adenomas

The ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) is the second member of the melanocortin (MC-2) receptor family that includes five seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors and has been shown to be predominantly expressed in the adrenal cortex. It has been postulated that ACTH may regulate its own secretion through ultra-short-loop feedback within the pituitary. ACTH-secreting adenomas are characterized by resistance to glucocorticoid feedback, and they may have dysregulated ACTH feedback. We therefore investigated the ACTH-R in normal and adenomatous human pituitary tissue. We report here the identification of ACTH-R mRNA in the human pituitary gland, which was confirmed by direct sequencing. We studied the expression of the ACTH-R in 23 normal pituitary specimens and 53 pituitary adenomas (22 ACTH-secreting, nine GH-secreting, eight prolactin-secreting, one TSH-secreting, one FSH-secreting, 10 nonfunctioning, and two silent corticotroph adenomas), using the sensitive technique of real-time quantitative PCR. Contamination of ACTH-secreting adenomas and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with nonadenomatous tissue was excluded by lack of Pit-1 expression. ACTH-R mRNA was detected in all normal pituitary specimens, and in situ hybridization colocalized expression to ACTH staining cells only. However, ACTH-R mRNA levels were undetectable in 16 of 22 ACTH-secreting tumors and in both silent corticotroph tumors. Diagnostic preoperative plasma ACTH levels were significantly lower in the ACTH-R positive ACTH-secreting tumors, compared with those who were ACTH-R negative (P = 0.0006). Direct sequencing of the coding region of the ACTH-R in cDNA from three ACTH-secreting tumors positively expressing the receptor showed no mutations, as did sequencing of genomic DNA in three receptor negative ACTH-secreting tumors and the two silent corticotrophs. These results provide further evidence compatible with an ACTH feedback loop in the pituitary and suggest that loss of expression of the ACTH-R in corticotroph adenomas of patients with Cushing's disease may play a role in the resistance to feedback of the pituitary-adrenal axis seen in these patients.     

The relationship between growth hormone (GH) messenger ribonucleic acid levels and hormone release from individual cells derived from human GH-secreting pituitary adenomas

GH mRNA expression and GH release by individual cells derived from four GH-secreting pituitary adenomas were studied by in-situ hybridization and the reverse haemolytic plaque assay, respectively. In addition the percentage of PRL mRNA-containing cells was determined in these cell suspensions. The percentages of GH mRNA-containing cells varied between 52 and 89 while the percentages of GH plaque forming cells varied between 25 and 77. Frequency distributions of GH mRNA levels in individual cells and of individual GH plaque areas showed a majority of the cells having low GH mRNA levels and secreting low amounts of GH respectively, while there is a low proportion of cells expressing high GH mRNA levels and forming large GH plaques. There was a significant correlation between the GH mRNA levels and the GH plaque areas of individual cells from the four adenomas (P less than 0.001). The percentages of PRL mRNA-containing cells in the four different adenomas amounted to less than 1, 5, 2 and 18. Cultured cells from the adenomas consisting of 5 and 18% PRL mRNA-containing cells also contained and released measurable amounts of PRL. Our data show that individual cells from GH-secreting pituitary adenomas are heterogeneous with respect to GH mRNA expression, a small proportion of the cells expressing a high amount of GH mRNA. The heterogeneity in GH mRNA expression is correlated with the heterogeneity in GH release. These observations suggest that a considerable part of GH secreted from a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma is produced by a minority of the GH-secreting tumour cell population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

雌激素受体在人类垂体腺瘤中的表达

目的检测雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ER)在人类不同类型激素垂体腺瘤中的表达,探讨垂体腺瘤中分泌不同类型激素的腺瘤细胞与ER免疫组化阳性细胞之间的关系.方法采用免疫组化S-P法对53例垂体腺瘤标本进行激素分型,检测垂体腺瘤中ER蛋白的表达.采用免疫组化双标法检测多激素分泌型垂体腺瘤中垂体激素合并ER表达的情况.结果53例垂体腺瘤标本中,部分PRL(5/7)、FSH(2/3)、LH(1/1)单激素腺瘤及部分多激素腺瘤有ER蛋白表达,而全部GH、ACTH、TSH单激素腺瘤均无ER蛋白表达,4例无功能腺瘤无ER蛋白表达.在33例多激素型垂体腺瘤标本中,22例有ER蛋白表达,其中PRL ER双标染色阳性标本10例、LH ER双标染色阳性标本9例、FSH ER双标染色阳性标本7例、GH ER双标染色阳性标本2例,33例标本的ACTH ER和TSH ER的双标染色均为阴性.结论垂体腺瘤患者的性别不影响肿瘤组织中ER蛋白的表达.垂体腺瘤中,分泌PRL、LH或FSH的垂体腺瘤细胞可表达ER;分泌ACTH或TSH的垂体腺瘤细胞不表达ER;分泌GH的垂体腺瘤细胞是否表达ER可能与该垂体腺瘤是否同时分泌PRL有关.ER在PRL、LH及FSH垂体腺瘤细胞的发生、发展中发挥作用.     

Gonadal steroid regulation of substance P (SP) and SP-encoding messenger ribonucleic acids in the rat anterior pituitary and hypothalamus.

Substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) is present in the rat anterior pituitary (AP) and in hypothalamic neurons that may be involved in the control of AP secretion and/or reproductive function. The presence of multiple SP-encoding mRNAs and tachykinin peptides and their regulation by steroid hormones were examined in APs and hypothalami from normal, gonadectomized, and steroid-treated male and female rats. SP-encoding mRNAs were identified by nuclease protection assays of RNA, and tachykinin peptides were identified by combined HPLC-RIA of tissue extracts, beta- and gamma-preprotachykinin (PPT) mRNAs and SP, neurokinin A, and neuropeptide gamma peptides were identified in the AP. The alpha-, beta-, and gamma-PPT mRNAs and SP, neurokinin A, neuropeptide gamma, neuropeptide K, and neurokinin B peptides were present in hypothalamic tissue. Previous studies have established that in the AP, SP is differentially regulated by gonadal steroids; estrogen decreases and androgen increases AP SP. Steroid effects were further analyzed in experiments using RIAs to measure SP levels in the AP and median eminence (ME) of steroid- and oil-treated gonadectomized rats. To assess whether steroids alter steady state PPT mRNA levels and presumably SP synthesis in these tissues, potential effects on AP and hypothalamic SP-encoding mRNAs were determined. Ovariectomized rats treated for 10 days with estradiol benzoate showed a 50% decrease in AP SP and a 90% decrease in AP beta- and gamma-PPT mRNAs compared to ovariectomized oil-treated controls. Estradiol benzoate replacement had no effect on SP levels in the isolated ME, but did cause a 50% increase in alpha-, beta-, and gamma PPT mRNAs in the hypothalamus. Although there was no significant effect of testosterone propionate on AP SP levels in castrated males, 10 days of testosterone propionate replacement did cause a significant increase in beta- and gamma PPT mRNAs in the AP. No androgen effects were seen on either ME SP or hypothalamic SP-encoding mRNAs. These data demonstrate that estrogen up-regulates SP-encoding mRNAs in the hypothalamus, whereas it down-regulates SP-encoding mRNAs in the pituitary. These results implicate SP and other tachykinins derived from the SP gene as steroid-regulated modulators of AP secretion and possibly reproductive function.     

垂体转录活化物-1基因在人垂体腺瘤中的表达

目的　用RT PCR方法 ,定量研究垂体转录活化物 (Pit) 1mRNA在不同类型的垂体腺瘤中的表达。方法　 3 5例垂体腺瘤患者根据血清激素水平和临床表现确定腺瘤类型 ,根据影像学和术中所见对肿瘤分级和分期。用RT PCR方法检测垂体腺瘤组织中Pit 1mRNA的表达。结果　 3 5例垂体腺瘤患者有PRL腺瘤 13例 ,GH腺瘤 6例 ,GH/PRL腺瘤 2例 ,无功能瘤 11例以及ACTH腺瘤 3例。Pit 1mRNA在所有PRL瘤、GH/PRL瘤、GH瘤和 81.8% (9/ 11)无功能腺瘤中有表达。在ACTH腺瘤组中无表达。Pit 1mRNA在PRL、GH和GH/PRL 3组腺瘤中的表达量差异无显著性 ,均显著高于无功能瘤组(均P <0 .0 5)。Pit 1表达量与肿瘤分级分期无明显相关性。PRL瘤术前血清PRL值与腺瘤组织Pit 1表达量呈显著的正相关 (r=0 .92 ,P <0 .0 1) ,GH腺瘤术前血清GH值与腺瘤组织Pit 1表达量呈显著的正相关 (r =0 .98,P <0 .0 1)。结论　Pit 1mRNA在PRL、GH、GH/PRL瘤以及大部分无功能腺瘤中有表达 ,其中在PRL、GH以及GH/PRL瘤的表达量较高 ,Pit 1对垂体GH和PRL腺瘤的细胞特异分化以及分泌功能是否具有作用 ,尚待进一步研究     

Expression of messenger ribonucleic acid species encoding steroidogenic enzymes in human follicles and corpora lutea throughout the menstrual cycle

The levels of expression of mRNA species encoding cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (P450scc), 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450(17 alpha], aromatase cytochrome P-450 (P-450AROM), and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) were examined in human follicles and corpora lutea (CL) throughout the menstrual cycle. Tissues were obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy and oophorectomy. The largest follicle or the CL was dissected from the ovary depending on whether the surgery was performed in the follicular or luteal phase. The day of the cycle was determined by onset of last menstrual period and was confirmed by endometrial histology. Total RNA was examined by Northern blot analysis, using as probes specific 32P-labeled cDNA inserts encoding each human enzyme. Early follicles demonstrated detectable mRNA for both P450scc and P450(17 alpha), but not for P450AROM or 3 beta HSD. P450AROM was detectable late in the follicular phase and appeared markedly induced in the CL. 3 beta HSD was detectable only in the CL. Levels of P450(17 alpha) mRNA remained relatively unchanged throughout the cycle, whereas P450scc mRNA levels were greatly increased in the CL. The presence of P450(17 alpha) mRNA in the human CL is of interest, since it is absent from the bovine CL, and this is consistent with the ability of the human, but not the bovine, CL to synthesize 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and estrogens. The fact that P450AROM expression is highest in CL is surprising, since plasma estrogen levels are highest during the late follicular phase of the cycle, and may suggest that CL estrogen biosynthesis is limited by 17 alpha-hydroxylase or 17,20-lyase activities.     

Identification and analysis of the gene encoding human PC2, a prohormone convertase expressed in neuroendocrine tissues.

In recent studies we have identified PC2 and PC3, members of a family of serine proteases that are related structurally to subtilisin, and have provided evidence that these are involved in the tissue-specific processing of prohormones and neuropeptides. PC2 is expressed at high levels in the islets of Langerhans, where it participates in the processing of proinsulin to insulin (S.P.S. and D.F.S., unpublished data). To evaluate the regulated expression of the human PC2 (hPC2) gene we have analyzed its structure and characterized its promoter. A map of the gene was constructed by using 11 clones isolated from two human genomic DNA libraries. The gene spans greater than 130 kilobase pairs and consists of 12 exons. Comparison with the structure of the gene encoding human furin, another member of this superfamily, revealed a high degree of conservation of exon-intron junctions. The hPC2 gene was localized to chromosome 20, band p11.2. The 5' flanking region of the hPC2 gene is very G+C-rich and contains six potential Sp1 binding sites but no TATA or CAAT box. Expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter fusions containing the putative promoter region was observed to occur in beta TC-3 mouse insulinoma cells but not in HepG2 human hepatoma cells, consistent with the known tissue-specific pattern of expression of the hPC2 gene. Analysis of the level of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity with several deletion mutants identified the region from -1100 to -539 from the translation start site as essential for hPC2 promoter activity.     

A study of pituitary thyrotropin, its subunits, and messenger ribonucleic acids in nonthyroidal illness

We studied serum TSH, pituitary TSH and alpha and beta-subunits of TSH and their messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in three models of nonthyroidal illness (NTI) in the rat, ie diabetes mellitus (1 wk after 65 micrograms streptozotocin/g BW IP), turpentine oil-injection (8 to 48 hours after after a dose of 5 microliter/g bw SC), and complete fasting for 72 hours. Euthyroid, hypothyroid (two months after thyroidectomy) and hyperthyroid rats (30 micrograms T4/d X 7, SC) were also studied for comparison. Pituitary TSH, alpha and beta subunits and serum TSH, T4, and T3 were measured by RIA. Pituitary mRNAs coding for common delta and TSH-beta subunits were determined by cytoplasmic dot hybridization technique using specific [32P]-cDNA probes. In all NTI models there were significant decreases in serum levels of TSH, T4, and T3, but no significant changes were observed in the pituitary content of TSH, and alpha and TSH-beta subunits. Hypothyroid rats had an increase in serum TSH, pituitary TSH, and pituitary TSH-beta subunit and a decrease in pituitary alpha subunit. On the other hand, hyperthyroid rats showed a decrease in serum TSH, pituitary TSH, and pituitary TSH-beta subunit, while there was no change in the alpha subunit. A significant reduction in the pituitary TSH-beta mRNA levels was observed in all NTI models and hyperthyroidism, while TSH-beta mRNA was increased in thyroidectomized rats. alpha-mRNA was increased only in the pituitary of hypothyroid rats; there was no appreciable change in the pituitary alpha-mRNA in the various other pituitary groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression of inhibin/activin subunit messenger ribonucleic acids during rat embryogenesis

Inhibin (alpha/beta) and activin (beta/beta) were first recognized as gonadal hormones that regulate the production and release of FSH from the anterior pituitary gland. Studies now show that these proteins, which are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) superfamily, and their corresponding messenger RNAs have a broad anatomical distribution and may regulate the growth and differentiation of a variety of cell types. To determine whether inhibin and activin may also play a role in embryonic development, in situ hybridization techniques were utilized to examine the localization of the mRNAs encoding the inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, beta A, beta B) in rat embryos from 12 days post coitum (p.c.) until birth. The beta A-subunit message was localized in the heart at 12 days p.c. and in the dermal layer of the skin starting at 13 days p.c. At 14 days p.c. this mRNA was first observed in the whisker follicles, in the developing skeleton of the snout, limbs, and in the intervertebral disks. At 16 days p.c. the beta A-message was found in the striatum of the brain, and at 18 days p.c. it was also detected in the cerebral cortex. The beta A-mRNA signal appeared in hair bulbs at 17 days p.c., in teeth at 18 days p.c., and in tendons and gonads just before birth. Expression of beta A-mRNA was no longer detected in the skin or intervertebral disks after 17 days p.c. The beta B-subunit message was found in the area of rapidly dividing cells surrounding the forebrain ventricle, starting at 14 days p.c., in the gonads from the time of gonadal sexual differentiation, at 14 days p.c., and in the salivary gland as early as 17 days p.c. The beta B-message continued to be expressed in these areas throughout embryogenesis. The inhibin-alpha subunit message was also detectable in the gonads from 14 days p.c. until birth. These data suggest that 1) inhibin and activin may be produced in the gonads and possibly play a hormonal role in the embryonic rat during the last trimester of pregnancy, and 2) activin may regulate aspects of the embryonic development of the heart, skin, hair and whiskers, cartilage, bone, tendons, teeth, salivary gland, brain, and gonads, possibly in coordination with other members of the TGF beta superfamily whose mRNAs are expressed in some of these same tissues during development.     

Endocrinomic profile of neurointermediate lobe pituitary prohormone processing in PC1/3- and PC2-Null mice using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Pro-vasopressin and pro-oxytocin are prohormones processed in the neurointermediate lobe pituitary to form the biologically active peptide hormones, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin. Neurointermediate lobe pituitaries from normal (+/+), heterozygous (+/-), PC2-Null (-/-), PC1/3-Null and oxytocin-Null mice were analyzed by SELDI-TOF mass spectroscopy for the peptide hormone products, AVP, oxytocin and neurophysin I and II. Molecular ion species with masses characteristic of oxytocin, AVP, neurophysin I and II, i.e. 1009.41, 1084.5, 9677 and 9679 daltons respectively, were identified in all but the oxytocin-Null mice by comparison with synthetic standards or by C-terminal sequence analysis. Other ion species were found specifically in PC2-Null, heterozygote or normal mice. The results indicate that, in mice, both PC1/3 or PC2 enzyme activity are capable, but not required to correctly process pro-vasopressin or pro-oxytocin to their constituent active peptide hormones.     

Coordinate regulation of the messenger ribonucleic acids encoding the alpha- and beta-subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin in HeLa cells and butyrate-resistant variants

Short term exposure of HeLa S3 cells to sodium butyrate induces accumulation of the mRNAs encoding both the alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG. Both mRNAs accumulate with the same kinetics and reach maximal levels with the same concentration of butyrate, suggesting that the levels of alpha and hCG beta mRNAs are coordinately regulated. In addition, induction of both mRNAs is tightly coupled with a similar increase in secreted levels of hCG subunit protein, further suggesting that regulation of CG biosynthesis in HeLa cells occurs before translation. To determine whether HeLa cells which have overcome the growth inhibitory properties of butyrate show uniformly high levels of alpha and hCG beta mRNAs, we isolated clonal variants by stepwise selection with increasing concentrations of butyrate. Of 69 isolated variants, at least 2 (AO and B2) display different patterns of CG gene expression. In AO cells, alpha-subunit mRNA was not detectable, while in B2 cells, the level of alpha-subunit mRNA was similar to that of wild-type HeLa S3 cells. Conversely, hCG beta mRNA levels in both variant cell lines approximated levels found in butyrate-treated HeLa S3 cultures, suggesting that the mRNAs for alpha and hCG beta are regulated independently. Analysis of genomic DNA by blot hybridization indicated that the alpha-subunit gene was present as a single unrearranged copy in HeLa S3 cells and in both variants, indicating that differences in alpha-subunit gene expression are not associated with major genomic alterations, but probably reflect more subtle changes.