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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Development of Organoids from Mouse Pituitary as In Vitro Model to Explore Pituitary Stem Cell Biology
Published on: February 25, 2022
cAMP pathway and pituitary tumorigenesis.
Andrea Lania1, Giovanna Mantovani, Anna Spada
1Department of Medical Sciences, University of Milan, Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy. andrea.lania@unimi.it
Annales D'Endocrinologie
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) acts as a growth factor in pituitary endocrine cells, particularly somatotrophs. Genetic mutations activating cAMP signaling are linked to growth hormone-secreting pituitary tumors.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pituitary cells are regulated by neurohormones acting through G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs).
- Evidence suggests cyclic AMP (cAMP) functions as a growth factor for endocrine cells, especially somatotrophs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of cAMP in controlling pituitary cell proliferation.
- To explore the involvement of cAMP signaling in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas.
- To examine the crosstalk between cAMP and other intracellular signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies.
- Analysis of naturally occurring human diseases.
- Identification of genetic defects affecting cAMP signaling pathways (e.g., GNAS mutations, PKA regulatory subunit defects).
Main Results:
- Mutations in the GNAS gene, leading to constitutive adenylyl cyclase activation (gsp oncogene), are found in a significant number of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.
- Genetic defects in the protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit IA further support cAMP's role in somatotroph proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays a critical role in the proliferation of pituitary somatotroph cells.
- Aberrant cAMP signaling, driven by genetic mutations, is implicated in the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors.
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