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Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
Published on: May 3, 2018
P27/CDKN1B Translational Regulators in Pituitary Tumorigenesis
C S Martins1, R C Camargo2, F P Saggioro3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
In pituitary tumors, P27(CDKN1B) is underexpressed. We aimed to clarify whether translational regulation underlies this phenomenon. This study evaluated the expression of P27/CDKN1B, its targets (CCNE1, CDK2) and translational regulators (DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222) and screened for DKC1 variants in sporadic pituitary adenomas. Samples were obtained during transsphenoidal surgery from 48 patients with pituitary adenomas: 10 ACTH-, 17 GH-secreting, and 21 nonfunctioning (NFPA). The control group comprised 7 normal pituitaries (NP) obtained during autopsies. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression by immunohistochemistry. The 15 exons of DKC1 were sequenced. P27 protein underexpression was observed in all adenomas subtypes (p=0.001). CCNE1 mRNA (p=0.01) overexpression, but not protein, was observed in NFPA. No differential gene expression among groups was observed in CDKN1B regulators RPS13 (p=0.23) and DKC1 (p=0.34). The expression of miR221 and miR222 was similar among tumors and NP. Frequent DKC1 variants (SNPs) were found in exon 14 and in the 3'-UTR in similar frequency to NCBI-dsSNP databases. We also observed rare DKC1 variants in 11% of the studied tumor samples, indicating a high prevalence in pituitary adenomas, however, in silico studies failed to indicate deleterious effects. The high frequency of DKC1 variants may influence, in some extent, pituitary tumors development, without clear role in its tumorigenesis. Our data reinforce the P27 underexpression in pituitary adenomas and provide further evidence of the post-translational machinery involvement, although this phenomenon cannot be explained either by mis-expression of P27 translational regulators - DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222 - or directly by DKC1 mutations.
Insights
Pituitary tumors show decreased P27 protein, but this is not due to changes in key translational regulators like DKC1 or RPS13. Further research into DKC1 variants is warranted for pituitary tumor development insights.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- P27 (CDKN1B) protein is frequently underexpressed in pituitary tumors.
- The underlying mechanisms, particularly translational regulation, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether translational regulation contributes to P27 (CDKN1B) underexpression in pituitary adenomas.
- To evaluate the expression of P27 targets and key translational regulators (DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222).
- To screen for DKC1 gene variants in pituitary adenomas.
Main Methods:
- Gene and protein expression analysis (RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry) of P27/CDKN1B, CCNE1, CDK2, DKC1, RPS13, miR221, and miR222 in 48 pituitary adenomas and 7 normal pituitaries.
- Sequencing of all 15 exons of the DKC1 gene.
- In silico analysis of identified DKC1 variants.
Main Results:
- P27 protein underexpression was confirmed across all pituitary adenoma subtypes.
- CCNE1 mRNA was overexpressed in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), but not at the protein level.
- No significant differential gene expression was found for RPS13, DKC1, miR221, or miR222 among the groups.
- Frequent DKC1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were observed, along with rare variants in 11% of tumors, though in silico analysis suggested no deleterious effects.
Conclusions:
- P27 protein underexpression in pituitary adenomas is confirmed, likely involving post-translational mechanisms.
- The expression of P27 translational regulators (DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222) does not explain P27 underexpression.
- DKC1 variants are prevalent in pituitary adenomas but their direct role in tumorigenesis remains unclear.
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