Putting the brakes on lactotrope hyperplasia.
Although much is known about the mechanisms by which dopamine, the major regulator of lactotrope function, controls hormone production and secretion, its growth inhibiting actions have remained less well characterized. Recent research has uncovered an important role for endogenously produced transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and TGFbeta receptors in dopamine's ability to put the brakes on lactotrope proliferation. These novel findings promise increased knowledge of the genesis and potential therapeutic control of human prolactinomas.
Samson
Willis K
WK
Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1402 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63131, USA. samsonwk@slu.edu
D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D011388:Prolactin; D004298:Dopamine