Abstract | BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical tumors occur as sporadic tumors, as part of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, or as part of other hereditary disorders. MEN1 is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 11q13 that encodes a 610-amino acid protein called menin, and plays an important role in the development of MEN1 syndrome. Recent reports indicate that heterozygous germline mutations of this gene are responsible for the disease onset of MEN1. METHODS: To investigate the role of menin in sporadic adrenocortical tumors, the authors examined a series of adrenocortical adenoma cases and a single case of carcinoma and adrenomedulary tumors with the corresponding adjacent tumor tissues using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for menin mRNA and Western blot analysis for menin protein. Both RNA and protein from these tumors were applied to RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively, although they are not truly quantitative. Primers for RT-PCR were designed to amplify the sequence between exons 2 and 3 of the MEN1 gene. A specific antibody against menin was generated in guinea pigs immunized with the recombinant peptide from the amino acid residues 443-535 of menin made by using glutathione-S-transferase gene fusion. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study indicate that menin expression appears to be up-regulated in Cushing syndrome, suggesting that adrenocortical proliferation might be one of the primary lesions in the MEN1 syndrome in which menin might play a significant role in some specific cellular functions.
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Authors | M M Bhuiyan, M Sato, K Murao, H Imachi, H Namihira, T Ishida, J Takahara, A Miyauchi |
Journal | Cancer
(Cancer)
Vol. 92
Issue 6
Pg. 1393-401
(Sep 15 2001)
ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States |
PMID | 11745215
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright 2001 American Cancer Society. |
Chemical References |
- MEN1 protein, human
- Neoplasm Proteins
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
- RNA, Messenger
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Topics |
- Adenoma
(chemistry)
- Adolescent
- Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms
(chemistry)
- Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
(chemistry)
- Adrenal Medulla
- Adult
- Aged
- Blotting, Western
- Carcinoma
(chemistry)
- Cushing Syndrome
(etiology, metabolism)
- Female
- Humans
- Hyperaldosteronism
(etiology, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
(chemistry)
- Neoplasm Proteins
(analysis, genetics, physiology)
- Pheochromocytoma
(chemistry)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins
- RNA, Messenger
(analysis)
- Up-Regulation
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