title: G protein oncogenes in pituitary tumors.
abstract: G proteins are involved in the transduction of external signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effectors. Somatic mutations activating the a-subunit of G(s) (the stimulatory regulatory protein of adenylyl cyclase) by inhibiting its intrinsic GTPase activity have been first identified in human GH-secreting adenomas and subsequently found in thyroid tumors and in McCune-Albright syndrome. It has been therefore proposed that the gene encoding the GS a-subunit may be converted into an oncogene (gsp for GS protein) in cell types that proliferate in response to cAMP. Since several G proteins mediate signaling pathways that are effective in coupling external stimuli to cell proliferation, it appears most likely that in the near future other G protein oncogenes will be identified in human tumors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Endocrine Sciences, Maggiore Hospital IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spada
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vallar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faglia