title: Expression of CRABP1, GRP, and RERG mRNA in clinically non-functioning and functioning pituitary adenomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pituitary tumors account for approximately 10-15% of intracranial neoplasms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using the cDNA microarray method, we have previously compared expression under two distinct conditions: a pool of 4 clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) and a spinal cord metastasis of a non-functioning pituitary carcinoma, in order to gain biological insights into genomic changes of pituitary neoplasias. In the present study, we further investigated the mRNA expression of 3 selected genes previously described as being involved in other neoplasias based on a series of 60 pituitary adenomas: CRABP1 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1), GRP (gastrin-releasing peptide), and RERG (Ras-related, estrogen- regulated, growth inhibitor).
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of CRABP1, GRP, and RERG was determined by quantitative RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly higher content of CRABP1 mRNA was observed in NFPA compared to functioning adenomas, and PRL-secreting adenomas showed a lower expression of this gene compared to normal pituitary. A lower expression of GRP mRNA was detected in NFPA compared to normal pituitary and also to functioning adenomas. RERG mRNA was overexpressed in NFPA in comparison to functioning adenomas and to normal pituitary. Among the functioning adenomas, only the ACTH-secreting adenomas presented a higher expression of RERG mRNA compared to normal pituitary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of differential expression of CRABP1 in prolactinomas and of RERG in NFPA compared to normal pituitary suggests that retinoic acid and estrogen receptor, respectively, could be involved in the tumorigenesis of these adenomas subtypes. Additional studies are required to further confirm this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology (LIM-25), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chile
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Corrêa-Giannella
authors.forename: M A H Z
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bronstein
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cunha-Neto
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giannella-Neto
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Giorgi
mesh_terms: D049913:ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; C082927:retinoic acid binding protein I, cellular; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D011388:Prolactin; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C529586:RERG protein, human