Endothelin-1 gene expression in human pheochromocytoma.
We examined expression of human endothelin-1 (ET-1) in adrenal tissues removed from five patients with pheochromocytomas and two patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas. The pheochromocytomas contained a 2.3 kilobase ET-1 transcript, which was not found int he aldosteronomas. Constitutive expression of ET-1 varied in magnitude among the pheochromocytomas but was generally at a low level. Immunohistochemical staining of the pheochromocytomas with an antiserum to human ET-1 showed the presence of immunoreactive ET-1 as well. The presence of ET-1 messenger ribonucleic acid and ET-1 immunoreactivity in human pheochromocytomas suggests a possible paracrine role for this peptide in human chromaffin cells.
Amico
J A
JA
Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261.
Clarke
M R
MR
Watson
C G
CG
Kim
N B
NB
Bononi
P L
PL
Crowley
R S
RS
Horwitz
M J
MJ
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016232:Endothelins / Q000235:genetics*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D014471:Umbilical Veins
D016232:Endothelins; D012313:RNA; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine