Differential somatostatin receptor (SSTR) 1-5 expression and downstream effectors in histologic subtypes of growth hormone pituitary tumors

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015 Dec 5:417:73-83. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.09.016. Epub 2015 Sep 21.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine whether differential expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) 1-5 and downstream effectors are different in densely (DG) and sparsely (SG) granulated histological growth hormone (GH) pituitary tumor subtypes.

Methods: The study included 33 acromegalic patients with 23 DG and 10 SG tumors. SSTR1-5 were measured by qPCR and immunoblotting. Signaling candidates downstream of SSTR2 were also assessed.

Results: SSTR2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in DG compared to SG tumors. Downstream of SSTR2, p27(kip1) was decreased (2.6-fold) in SG compared to DG tumors, suggesting a potential mechanism of SSA resistance in SG tumors with intact SSTR2 expression. Re-expression of E-cadherin in GH pituitary cell increased p27(kip1) levels.

Conclusions: Histological subtyping correlated with SSTR2, E cadherin and p27(kip) protein levels and these may serve as useful biomarkers in GH tumors to predict behavior and response to therapy with SSA.

Keywords: Acromegaly; Dense GH tumors; Somatostatin receptor; Sparse GH tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / genetics*
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDKN1B protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Receptors, Somatostatin
  • SSTR2 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27