Endocrine Abstracts

The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) is expressed in the thyroid and in precursors undergoing lineage-specific differentiation, e.g adipogenesis. The TSHR is activated by TSH, thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAB) and gain-of-function mutations (TSHR*). To investigate the role of extra-thyroidal TSHR activation we compared the gene-expression profiles of non-modified human subcutaneous preadipocytes with the parallel TSHR* population. Twenty-seven genes were significantly upregulat...

Type 1 deiodinase (D1) catalyses synthesis of triiodothyronine (T3) which regulates the expression of many tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We previously revealed that the expression of the whole pool of D1 transcripts was dramatically lowered in ccRCC tissues. One of the mechanims resulting in this aberration could be miRNA-mediated repression of target mRNAs. The aim of the study was 1) to analyze the expression of miRNA binding to 3′UTR of D1 in ccRCC; 2) ...

Searching for novel endocrine markers involved in gestational disease (e.g. pre-eclampsia, foetal growth restriction, pre-term labour) remains a challenge. Nonetheless, the placenta is a very useful target tissue as it provides a repository of gene expression transcripts that are uniquely expressed during pregnancy. Here, we have used bio-informatic approaches to identify expressed sequence tag (EST) clusters differentially expressed between 1st trimester and term placentae. T...

BMPs form part of the TGFβ superfamily, which are important regulators of proliferation and differentiation in many cell types. The intraovarian production of specific BMP members and their receptors in a stage-specific manner is crucial for normal follicle development to proceed. Regulation of BMP signalling pathways can occur by intracellular inhibition of the signal transducers (Smads), or by BMP antagonists that bind extracellular BMPs to prevent or alter ligand–...

Hyperthyroidism is common affecting up to 2% of the UK population and the prevalence is highest in young and middle-aged women. Although patients may have clinical symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism, rates of undiagnosed hyperthyroidism range from 0.5 to 1.5%, especially in the elderly. We investigated 3563 UK patients to (i) assess the influence of ageing on clinical signs and symptoms and (ii) identify symptoms and signs indicating hyperthyroidism in different age groups...

Here, we investigated roles of p38 MAPK pathway in the regulation of FSH-induced steroidogenesis using co-culture of rat primary granulosa cells with oocytes. The p38 protein was readily phosphorylated in granulosa cells by treatment with activin and FSH. The activin effect on p38 phosphorylation was abolished by a selective ALK-4, -5, -7 inhibitor SB431542. SB431542 suppressed FSH-induced estradiol production, but had no effect on progesterone production with a marginal reduc...

Background: Mutations in succinate dehydrogense-B (SDH-B) or von Hippel Lindau (VHL) genes can result in chromaffin tumours.Objective: To compare the clinical phenotypes of subjects developing chromaffin tumours as a result of SDH-B or VHL mutations.Subjects: Thirty-one subjects with chromaffin tumours. Sixteen subjects had SDH-B gene mutations and 15 subjects had a diagnosis of VHL.<p ...

Background: Familial pituitary adenomas can occur in the classic syndromes of MEN-1 and Carney complex. Recently an autosomal dominant disease with incomplete penetrance has been described as ‘familial-isolated-pituitary-adenoma’ (FIPA). Previous studies of familial acromegaly and gigantism disclosed germline mutations in the AIP gene located in the previously suspected chromosome 11q13 region.Aims: To analyse the prevalence of AIP-mutations in...