Abnormal expression of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in human pituitary adenomas: a prereceptor determinant of pituitary cell proliferation

Oncogene. 2003 Mar 20;22(11):1663-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206293.

Abstract

The physiological effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) are, at least in part, mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation. Two isozymes of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD) interconvert cortisol (F) and inactive cortisone (E), and are thus able to modulate GC action at an autocrine level. Previously, we have demonstrated absent expression of 11 beta-HSD2 in normal pituitaries; however, in a small number of pituitary tumors analysed, 11 beta-HSD2 was readily demonstrable. Here we have used real-time RT-PCR to quantify expression of mRNA for 11 beta-HSD1 and 2 in 105 human pituitary tumors and have performed enzyme expression and activity studies in primary pituitary cultures. Overall, pituitary tumors expressed lower levels of 11 beta-HSDl mRNA compared with normals (0.2-fold, P<0.05). In contrast, expression of 11 beta-HSD2 mRNA was 9.8-fold greater in tumors than in normals (P<0.001). Enzyme assays showed significant 11 beta-HSD2 activity (71.9+/-22.3 pmol/h/mg protein (mean+/-s.d.)) but no detectable 11 beta-HSDl activity. Proliferation assays showed that addition of glycyrrhetinic acid (an 11 beta-HSD2 inhibitor) resulted in a 30.3+/-7.7% inhibition of cell proliferation. In summary, we describe a switch in expression from 11 beta-HSDl to 11 beta-HSD2 in neoplastic pituitary tissue. We propose that abnormal expression of 11 beta-HSD2 acts as a proproliferative prereceptor determinant of pituitary cell growth, and may provide a novel target for future tumor therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Adenoma / enzymology*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Division*
  • DNA Primers
  • Humans
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases