title: [Membrane receptors and endocrine tumors: expression of vasopressin receptor V1 modulates the pharmacologic phenotype of adrenocortical tumors].
abstract: A retrospective analysis of 26 adrenocortical tumors responsible for Cushing's syndrome showed that vasopressin induced an ACTH-independent cortisol response in seven cases (27%). In comparison 68 of 90 patients with Cushing's disease (76%) had a positive cortisol response. The mRNA for the V1-type vasopressin receptor was detected in normal adrenal cortex and in all tumors, and adenomas had higher levels than carcinomas. One adenoma which had a brisk cortisol response in vivo, also had in vitro cortisol responses that were inhibited by a specific V1 antagonist. In situ hybridization showed the presence of V1 mRNA in the normal and tumoral adrenal cortex. We conclude that the vasopressin V1 receptor gene is expressed in normal and tumoral adrenocortical cells. High--and not ectopic--expression occurs in a minority of tumors which become directly responsive to vasopressin stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Clinique des Maladies Endocriniennes et Métaboliques, Hospital Cochin, Paris.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Luton
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bertagna
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004701:Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin
vernacular_title: Récepteurs membranaires et tumeurs endocrines: l'expression du récepteur V1 de la vasopressine module le phénotype pharmacologique des tumeurs de la cortico-surrénale.