title: Absence of thyroid transcription factor-1 expression in human parathyroid and pituitary glands.
abstract: Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), a tissue-specific nuclear transcription factor involved in the embryogenesis and differentiation of human thyroid, lung and brain, has been recently identified in other rat tissues, including parafollicular C cells and parathyroid chief cells. Based on this distribution, a possible role for this factor in calcium homeostasis has been suggested. This study investigated the presence of TTF-1 transcripts and protein in human tissues expressing the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR). Using a RT-PCR technique, complemented by Southern blot analysis, TTF-1 expression was detected in human C cells (two medullary thyroid carcinomas), but not in normal and adenomatous (four adenomas and three hyperplasia) parathyroid, and normal and adenomatous (six adenomas) pituitary tissues. CaSR was expressed in all samples. The absence of expression was confirmed by Western blot. In contrast to previous studies in the rat, this study demonstrates the absence of TTF-1 transcripts in the human adult parathyroid and pituitary glands, although a role for this factor during the ontogeny of these organs cannot be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrine Sciences, University of Milan-Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Pad. Granelli, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 21022 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corbetta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romoli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beck-Peccoz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spada
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000737:chemistry*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C000614412:NKX2-1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors