title: Characterization of steroidogenic enzyme expression in aldosterone-producing adenoma: a comparison with various human adrenal tumors.
abstract: We analyzed the expression profiles of several steroidogenic enzymes in normal adrenals, aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA), cortisol-producing adenomas combined with Cushing's syndrome (CPA) or with subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCPA), and nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas (NFA) to clarify the nature and characteristics of steroidogenesis in APA. Clinical data were collected for all subjects. In resected adrenal glands (normal adrenals, APA, CPA, SCPA, and NFA), the mRNA expression levels of the CYP17, HSD3B2, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2 genes were studied using real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. The CYP11B2 mRNA level in APA was significantly higher than that in other groups. The CYP17/HSD3B2 ratio for mRNA in APA was significantly lower than those in the other groups. Low ratio of CYP17/HSD3B2 with high expression of CYP11B2 seems to explain steroidogenic characteristics of APA.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Yokohama 222-0036, Japan.
authors.forename: Ikki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakuma
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suematsu
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasano
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / Q000235:genetics; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011375:Progesterone Reductase / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D000450:Aldosterone; C533068:3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II; D011375:Progesterone Reductase; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase; D006854:Hydrocortisone