Estrogen action in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell survival, and tumorigenesis in the rat anterior pituitary gland |
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Authors: | Spady T J McComb R D Shull J D |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE;(2) Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE;(3) Eppley Cancer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE, 68198-6805 |
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Abstract: | Estrogens act as important regulators of cell proliferation, cell survival, and differentiation in a variety of organ systems
and tissues and have been implicated in the etiology of a variety of malignant cancers and benign tumors. The anterior pituitary
gland of the rat provides an excellent model for the study of estrogen action in the regulation of cell proliferation and
survival. Estrogens stimulate proliferation of the prolactin (PRL)-producing lactotroph and enhance lactotroph survival. Through
these actions on lactotroph proliferation and survival, estrogens induce or contribute to the development of PRL-producing
pituitary tumors in several rat strains. Data from our laboratory and others indicate that estrogen-induced pituitary growth
is rat strain specific and segregates as a quantitative genetic trait in crosses between different rat strains. The purpose
of this review is to summarize current know ledge pertaining to estrogen action in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell
survival, and tumorigenesis in the anterior pituitary gland of the rat species, Rattus norvegicus, and to illustrate the advantages of the rat pituitary gland as a model for elucidating the mechanisms through which estrogens
regulate these processes. |
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Keywords: | Estrogen anterior pituitary lactotroph pituitary tumor prolactin rat |
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