Abnormal expression of 11beta-HSD type 2 in human pituitary adenomas: a prereceptor determinant of pituitary cell proliferation

Elizabeth Rabbitt, John Ayuk, Kristien Boelaert, Michael Sheppard, Martin Hewison, Paul Stewart, Neil Gittoes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The physiological effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) are, at least in part, mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation. Two isozymes of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) interconvert cortisol (F) and inactive cortisone (E), and are thus able to modulate GC action at an autocrine level. Previously, we have demonstrated absent expression of 11beta-HSD2 in normal pituitaries; however, in a small number of pituitary tumors analysed, 11beta-HSD2 was readily demonstrable. Here we have used real-time RT-PCR to quantify expression of mRNA for 11beta-HSD1 and 2 in 105 human pituitary tumors and have performed enzyme expression and activity studies in primary pituitary cultures. Overall, pituitary tumors expressed lower levels of 11beta-HSD1 mRNA compared with normals (0.2-fold, P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1663-1667
Number of pages5
JournalOncogene
Volume22(11)
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 20 Mar 2003

Keywords

  • proliferation
  • 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
  • pituitary adenoma

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Abnormal expression of 11beta-HSD type 2 in human pituitary adenomas: a prereceptor determinant of pituitary cell proliferation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this