Cellular distribution of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor in human reproductive system and breast and prostate cancers.
Growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) mRNA and protein was first localized to the anterior pituitary gland, consequent with the action of its ligand on GH synthesis and release. Subsequent studies found GHRH-R also expressed in the hypothalamus and in systemic tissues including those of the reproductive system. In the present work, we studied the distribution of GHRH-R in human reproductive system of males and females by immunohistochemical method. GHRH-R immunostaining was localized in male reproductive system: Leydig cells, Sertoli and basal germ cells of the seminiferous tubules and prostate secretory cells. GHRH-R immunostaining was also demonstrated in the ovary: oocytes, follicular cells, granulosa, thecal and corpus luteum cells. Endometrial glands, placenta and normal mammary glands also showed GHRH-R immunostaining. Our results demonstrate the localization of GHRH-R in the reproductive system, which may mediate the direct action of GHRH in these tissues. Moreover, GHRH-R was demonstrated in prostate and breast carcinomas, opening a variety of possibilities for the use of GHRH antagonists in the treatment of prostatic and mammary tumors.
Gallego
R
R
Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, San Francisco s/n, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. cmrgalle@usc.es
Pintos
E
E
García-Caballero
T
T
Raghay
K
K
Boulanger
L
L
Beiras
A
A
Gaudreau
P
P
Morel
G
G
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D018017:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone-Regulating Hormone; C048250:somatotropin releasing hormone receptor