title: Genetics of adrenocortical disease:  an update.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Disease states characterized by abnormal cellular function or proliferation frequently reflect aberrant genetic information. By revealing disease-specific DNA mutations, we gain insight into normal physiology, pathophysiology, potential therapeutic targets and are better equipped to evaluate an individual's disease risks. This review examines recent advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of adrenal cortical disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Important advances made in the past year have included identification of KCNJ5 potassium channel mutations in the pathogenesis of both aldosterone-producing adenomas and familial hyperaldosteronism type III; characterization of phosphodiesterase 11A as a modifier of phenotype in Carney complex caused by protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, regulatory subunit, type-I mutations; the finding of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I mutations as a novel mechanism for cortisone reductase deficiency; and demonstration of potential mortality benefit in pursuing comprehensive presymptomatic screening for patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, including possible reduction in risks associated with adrenocortical carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research review provides a framework for the endocrinologist to maintain an up-to-date understanding of adrenal cortical disease genetics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bar-Lev
authors.forename: Justin P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Annes
mesh_terms: D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D058489:46, XX Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics*; D000303:Adrenal Cortex Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000235:genetics; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000151:congenital* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D043202:Steroid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D051676:G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels; C484274:KCNJ5 protein, human; D000450:Aldosterone; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; C406737:PDE11A protein, human