A mutation in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor occurs frequently in human ovarian sex cord tumors.
A subset of ovarian tumors, referred to as sex cord-stromal tumors, produce endocrine manifestations due to the secretion of estrogens or androgens. Because gonadotropins induce the growth, differentiation, and function of the steroid-producing cells of the ovary, we hypothesized that mutations in the FSH receptor (FSH-R) might occur in this group of tumors. Ovarian sex cord tumors (n = 13), small cell carcinomas of the ovary (n = 3), and control DNA specimens (n = 116) were screened for mutations in the transmembrane domains of the FSH-R. A heterozygous T-->C mutation was found at nucleotide 1777 that converts codon 591 from phenylalanine to serine (F591S). This sixth transmembrane domain mutation was found in 9 of 13 (69%) sex cord tumors and 2 of 3 ovarian small cell carcinomas, but it was not present in control specimens, including 5 normal ovaries, 5 nonsex cord ovarian tumors, 16 thyroid tumors, or 90 specimens of peripheral blood leukocyte DNA, suggesting that this nucleotide change is not a polymorphism. The functional effects of identified mutations were assessed by expression of the wild-type or the F591S mutant FSH-R in COS-7 cells. The F591S mutation eliminated FSH-stimulated cAMP production, and a similar effect was observed when this mutation was introduced into the homologous location of the LH receptor. The high prevalence of the F591S mutation in the FSH-R suggests that it plays a role in the development of ovarian sex cord tumors.
Kotlar
T J
TJ
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Young
R H
RH
Albanese
C
C
Crowley
W F
WF
Scully
R E
RE
Jameson
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics; D018312:Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / Q000235:genetics*
D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011974:Receptors, LH; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP