title: Genesis of prolactinomas: studies using estrogen-treated animals.
abstract: Prolactin-secreting adenomas (prolactinomas) are the most prevalent form of pituitary tumors in humans. Our knowledge of the formation of these tumors is limited. Experimental work in animal has uncovered that estradiol exposure leads to prolactinoma formation via orchestrated events involving dopamine D2 receptors, transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) isoforms and their receptors, as well as factors secondary to TGF-beta action. Additionally, these studies determined that TGF-beta and b-FGF interact to facilitate the communication between lactotropes and folliculo-stellate cells that is necessary for the mitogenic action of estradiol. The downstream signaling that governs lactotropic cell proliferation involves activation of the MAP kinase p44/42-dependent pathway.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Program, Biomedical Division of the Center of Alcohol Studies and Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, N.J., USA.
authors.forename: Dipak K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sarkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D002453:Cell Cycle; D004967:Estrogens; D015870:Gene Expression; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D023421:Models, Animal; D008954:Models, Biological; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta