Endocrine Abstracts

The majority of loss-of function mutations of G protein coupled receptors, leading to diseases, such as diabetes insipidus (V2 vasopressin receptor) or retinitis pigmentosa (rhodopsin) are consecutive to retention of the receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Cell surface expression and biological function can be restored by membrane-permeable ligands called pharmacological chaperones. The V1b/V3R, one of the 3 subtypes of vasopressin receptors, is involved in the regulat...

Context: The biological diagnosis of adrenal disorders is currently based on the quantitation of serum steroids using automated immunoassays. These direct assays often lack the required accuracy and precision and interlaboratory surveys show that performance characteristics of MSMS are far better than those of automated immunoassays.Method: After liquid chromatography of serum extracts, steroids were quantified on Waters QuattroPremier mass-spectrometer ...

CNC is an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia syndrome, responsible mainly for cardiac myxomas, pigmented skin lesions and endocrine tumors (acromegaly, thyroid and testicular neoplasms and primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease: PPNAD). The PRKAR1A gene was previously found to be mutated in about 41% of CNC kindreds. Most mutations lead to nonsens mediated mRNA decay and preclude expression of the mutant protein. 102 patients (64 with PPNAD and 38 with CNC)...

Background: Germline mutations of ARMC5 (Armadillo repeat containing 5 gene) were identified as a frequent cause of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH). ARMC5 is considered as a tumor suppressor gene regulating apoptosis and steroidogenesis by unknown mechanisms. The ARMC5 protein contains a N-terminal domain made of Armadillo (ARM) repeats and a C-terminal ‘Bric-a-Brac, Tramtrack, Broad-complex/Pox virus and Zinc finger (BTB/POZ)&...

The outcome of ACTs can be determined by gene expression level at the RNA level. However RNA handling is challenging. In contrast tumor DNA is robust and therefore easier to use.Aim: To characterize the ACTs DNA alterations; to identify markers with diagnostic and prognostic value using tumor DNA.Methods: The mapping of chromosomal gains and losses of 60 ACTs (39 adenomas (ACAs), 21 carcinomas (ACCs)) was performed with CGH arrays ...

Background: ARMC5 (armadillo repeat containing 5) has been identified as the gene responsible for PBMAH (Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia). ARMC5 inactivating mutations are reported in 20 to 25% of PBMAH patients. ARMC5, is considered as a tumor suppressor gene controlling apoptosis and regulating steroidogenesis. The mechanisms of action of ARMC5 are unknown. The structure of the ARMC5 protein contains ARM repeats and a BT...

Background: Cushing syndrome due to PPNAD is the main endocrine disorder of CNC, an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia caused by germline inactivating mutations of the subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A) of the protein kinase A (PKA). In addition, germline inactivating mutations in the gene encoding phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) have been identified in patients with PPNAD.Aim of the study: To investigate the role of PDE11A genetic alterati...

Diagnosing malignancy and assessing the prognosis of adrenocortical tumors is challenging. The aim is to identify molecular predictors of malignancy and of survival.Patients and methods: Of 153 unilateral adrenocortical tumors were studied by microarray (n=92) or RT-qPCR (n=148). A 2-gene predictor of malignancy was built using the disease-free survival as the end-point in a training cohort (n=47), then validated in an independent va...

Recent pan-genomic analyses of tumor DNA identified specific patterns of DNA methylation –e.g. CpG islands hypermethylation in the promoter regions of genes- as pejorative prognostic markers in adrenocortical cancer (ACC). Integrated genomics clearly shows that ACC with such an hypermethylation belongs to specific subgroups of ACC with increased driver genes alterations and a poor survival.Aim: To confirm the prognostic value of this methylation pat...