Endocrine Abstracts

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by ACTH resistance resulting in isolated glucocorticoid deficiency with preserved mineralocorticoid secretion. Approximately 25% of cases result from mutations in the ACTH receptor (MC2R) and 20% result from mutations in the Melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP). MRAP is a small single transmembrane domain protein that is specifically required for trafficking MC2R to the ce...

Hormonal activation of the androgen receptor plays a critical role in male fetal sex differentiation.Current hypotheses concerning estrogen/androgen balance and the role of estrogenic environmental contaminants have led us to investigate the capacity for androgenic/antiandrogenic activity in such chemicals. We have previously developed a sensitive in vitro assay using a telomerase-immortalised human cell line capable of detecting putative endocrine disrupting activi...

Within the last 25 years more than 400 cases with suspected Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency (FGD) have been referred to our centre for genetic testing. All cases had low or undetectable serum cortisol paired with an elevated plasma ACTH level. Our patient cohort comprises 352 families from 30 different nationalities and ranges from neonates to patients in their eighties. In 1993 the first gene defect, in MC2R, was discovered by candidate gene sequencing. Subsequent...

Background and aims: HNF1A-MODY causes monogenic diabetes with a lean, insulin sensitive phenotype. Altered glucocorticoid (GC) metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) which regenerates active cortisol from inactive cortisone have been trialled as a therapeutic approach. 11β-HSD1 is down-regulated in hepatocytes from Hnf1a knock-out mice but the role...

Background and aims: HNF1A-MODY causes monogenic diabetes with a lean, insulin sensitive phenotype. Altered glucocorticoid (GC) metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) which regenerates active cortisol from inactive cortisone have been trialled as a therapeutic approach. 11β-HSD1 is down-regulated in hepatocytes from Hnf1a knock-out mice but the role...