Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Co-expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes and estrogen receptor-α mRNAs by non-functioning pituitary adenomas

Hiroshi Nishioka1, Kazuhiro Tamura, Haruka Iida

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Hachioji Medical Center, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. nishioka@tokyo-med.ac.jp

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|August 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Non-functioning adenomas (NFomas) show distinct somatostatin receptor (SSTR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression. Higher SSTR3 and ERα levels in NFomas suggest their role in adenoma development.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFomas) are common tumors.
  • The expression patterns of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in NFomas are not well-characterized.
  • Understanding these patterns is crucial for elucidating NFoma pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential expression of SSTR subtypes (1, 2, 3, 5), dopamine receptor (D2R), and ERα in NFomas compared to functioning pituitary adenomas.
  • To explore correlations between SSTR subtypes and ERα expression within NFomas.
  • To identify potential roles of SSTR3 and estrogen in NFoma development.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure mRNA levels.
  • Samples included 59 NFomas, 30 GH-secreting adenomas (GHomas), and 20 prolactinomas (PRLomas).
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare expression levels and identify correlations.

Main Results:

  • NFomas exhibited higher SSTR3 mRNA levels but lower SSTR2, SSTR5, and D2R mRNA levels compared to functioning adenomas, particularly GHomas.
  • NFomas showed significantly higher ERα mRNA levels than GHomas.
  • SSTR subtype mRNA levels correlated with each other and with ERα in NFomas, especially in patients younger than 50 years.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the largest analysis to date of SSTR subtype expression in NFomas.
  • Differential expression of SSTR3 and ERα in NFomas suggests their potential involvement in the pathophysiology of these tumors.
  • Age-dependent correlations highlight potential differences in NFoma development pathways.

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...