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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah Johnson, Dr Richard Quinton
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Adrenocortical carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy and feminizing symptoms secondary to adrenal estrogen-secretion are extremely rare. The direct secretion of estradiol by adrenocortical tumors requires, in addition to the expression of aromatase (CYP19), the expression of one or more of the reductive 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. The expression of CYP19 transcripts and protein were markedly induced in the H295 adrenocortical carcinoma cell line after treatment with either forskolin or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Western immunoblotting demonstrated a marked induction of the CYP19 protein of characteristic size after only a short (6 h) treatment period with VIP or forskolin. The CYP19 mRNA transcripts were derived from both promoters PII (Ic) and 1.3 (Id) after treatment with both agents. The reductive type 5 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) was also constitutively expressed in the H295 cells but neither its mRNA transcript nor protein levels were altered after forskolin or VIP treatment. Western immunoblotting of an estrogen-secreting adrenal carcinoma revealed notable levels of both aromatase and AKR1C3 expression while an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma lacked aromatase expression and showed a reduced level of AKR1C3 expression. Immunohistochemistry of the carcinoma-bearing adrenal revealed localization of AKR1C3 not only in the tumor but also principally in the zona reticularis of the normal adrenal tissue. Adrenal aromatase and AKR1C3 expression therefore appear to be features of adrenocortical malignancies that are associated with biosynthesis of active estrogen. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Nicol MR, Papacleovoulou G, Evans DB, Penning TM, Strachan MWJ, Advani A, Johnson SJ, Quinton R, Mason JI
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Year: 2009
Volume: 300
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 115-120
ISSN (print): 0303-7207
ISSN (electronic): 1872-8057
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2008.10.032
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.10.032
PubMed id: 19026713
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