Pituitary dwarfism in the R271W Pit-1 gene mutation

The Pit-1 gene encodes the POU-domain transcription factor Pit-1 which is important for the differentiation of the anterior pituitary and regulation of the PRL, GH and TSH genes. As a member of the POU domain transcription factors, Pit-1 contains a DNA-binding region, consisting of a POU-specific domain and a POU homeodomain. Mutation of the Pit-1 gene causes hypoplasia of the pituitary gland and deficiencies of GH, PRL and TSH. In a DNA sample from a 3-month-old girl with severe growth deficiency from birth, single stranded conformational polymorphism analysis of the Pit-1 gene identified a gel shift in exon 6. DNA-sequencing disclosed a single base mutation in codon 271 (CGG to TGG) that changes arginine to tryptophan (R271W) in the POU homeodomain. The patient presented distinct facial features with prominent forehead, marked mid-facial hypoplasia with depressed nasal bridge, deep-set eyes and a short nose with anteverted nostrils. MRI examination showed a hypoplastic pituitary gland. Low serum GH did not respond to insulin-arginine provocation or GHRH tests. PRL levels below the detection limit did not increase in response to a TRH test. T4 and free T4 was below detection limit (< 20 nmol/l and < 4 pmol/l). TSH was 2.0 mU/l and showed a blunt response to 6.0 mU/l following TRH test. TBG was normal. In spite of inappropriately low TSH and very low T4, T3 was in the low normal range (1.4-1.6 nmol/l) and she was clinically euthyroid. The thyroid function tests are consistent with increased monodeiodination activity and increased conversion of T4 to T3, possibly related to the Pit-1 gene mutation. GH and T4 treatment resulted in catch-up growth continued during 5 years of therapy.

Reports of nine other cases of R271W mutations of different populations as well as the present Norwegian patient suggest codon 271 of exon 6 to be a "hot spot" for Pit-1 mutations. To enable rapid and simple detection of this type of de novo mutation we have designed a specific amplification-created-restriction-site assay to check for the R271W mutation in patients suspected to have this rare form of genetic defect in growth hormone production.