Endocrine Abstracts

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are important molecular switches that transduce extracellular ligand-binding at G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to intracellular signals. G-protein alpha-subunits (Gα) have two domains, a helical and GTPase domain, which provide structural stability and mediate GTPase activity, respectively. Gain-of-function Gα mutations cause endocrine conditions including McCune-Albright Syndrome, due to Gαs mutations, and a...

The autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by immune deficiency and the autoimmune destruction of endocrine organs such as the parathyroids, adrenal cortex and ovaries. APECED is caused by biallelic germline mutations of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene on chromosome 21q22.3, which is expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells and plays a key role ...

Hypoparathyroidism may occur as: a hereditary syndromic disorder (e.g. Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED), Hypoparathyroidism Sensorineural Deafness and Renal Disease (HDR), Autosomal Dominant Hypoparathyroidism type 1 (ADH1), or ADH type 2 (ADH2), which are due to mutations of autoimmune regulator (AIRE), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) and G-protein sub...

Current treatments, including surgery, medical therapy, radiotherapy, and radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas (PNETs) and bronchus (BNETs) are often unsatisfactory, leading to a 5-year survival of <50% and 5%, respectively. PNETs and BNETs frequently have mutations in chromatin-remodelling genes and the protein encoded by the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene, menin. Menin binds the...

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) have a lower mutational burden than other tumours, indicating that other mechanisms contribute to tumourigenesis. One such reported mechanism is DNA methylome dysregulation, however, inconsistencies have been observed between gene methylation and protein expression, potentially stemming from the use of standard methylation assessment methods which do not distinguish methylation (5’methylcytosine (5’mC), repressive mark) from ...

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the commonest endocrinopathy, Worldwide. Amongst the protean complex genetic variations, cubulin gene and megalin gene mutations in diabetes are important in dictating genotype-phenotypic correlations and natural clinical course of diabetes. The genetic studies in this area are especially very sparse from Indian sub-continent. In this context, we analyzed the prevalence of cubulin (CBN) and megalin (LRP2) gene mutations, as part of NGS (Ne...

Background: Follicular differentiated thyroid cancer (FDTC) is the most common endocrine cancer, globally. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) in thyroid cancer allows for high-throughput genetic sequencing in short time. This analysis offers useful information on tumor biology. NGS Studies on follicular differentiated thyroid cancer are scanty from South East Asia. In this context, we set out study the pattern of a genetic panel wide somatic mutations in thyroid cancer.<p cl...

Background: People with Diabetes (PwD) experience many obstacles in diabetes management including, but not limited to lack of motivation, limited knowledge on diabetes self-management and treatment adherence issues. Diabetes mandates regular follow-ups for good glycemic control and manage complications. Internet and smartphones, have revolutionized digital health and hence by employing digital health and technology, better outcomes may be achieved; which is realizable in India...

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein coupled receptor that predominantly signals via Gαq/11-mediated pathways to regulate extracellular calcium (Ca2+e) homeostasis. Germline Gα11 inactivating and activating mutations cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia type-2 (FHH2) and autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia type-2 (ADH2), respectively. To date, four FHH2 and six ADH2 mutations have been reported. To identif...

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) is an inherited disorder of calcium homeostasis, which is caused by germline loss-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in ˜70% of cases. We report a 22 year old woman who was referred with asymptomatic hypercalcaemia. Biochemical investigations revealed hypercalcaemia on 3 of 4 occasions with adjusted serum calcium ranging from 2.59–2.80 mmol/l (normal range 2.20–2.60 mmol/l). Parathyroid hormon...