title: Expression of steroidogenic factor 1 in canine cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumors and normal adrenals.
abstract: We report on a screening for the relative messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) in normal canine adrenals (n = 10) and cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumors (11 adenomas and 26 carcinomas). The relative mRNA expression of SF-1 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and revealed no differences between normal adrenals, adenomas, and carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated SF-1 protein expression in a nuclear pattern throughout the normal adrenal cortex and a predominantly nuclear staining pattern in adrenocortical tumors. Of the 15 dogs available for follow up, 7 dogs developed hypercortisolism within 2.5 yr after adrenalectomy, with metastatic disease in 6 dogs and adrenocortical tumor regrowth in 1 dog. The relative SF-1 mRNA expression in dogs with early recurrence was greater (2.46-fold, P = 0.020) than in dogs in remission for at least 2.5 yr after adrenalectomy. In conclusion, we demonstrated the presence of SF-1 expression in normal canine adrenals and adrenocortical tumors. The high SF-1 mRNA expression in carcinomas with early recurrence might indicate its value as a prognostic marker, as well as its potential for therapeutic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: s.galac@uu.nl.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galac
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M M J
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kool
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kooistra
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018268:Adrenocortical Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adrenal; Cushing's syndrome; Dog; Metastasis