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Blatkiewicz M, Szyszka M, Olechnowicz A, Kamiński K, Jopek K, Komarowska H, Tyczewska M, Klimont A, Wierzbicki T, Karczewski M, Ruchała M, Rucinski M. Impaired Expression of Humanin during Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1038. [PMID: 38256114 PMCID: PMC10816135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The discovery of mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) has provided a new perspective on mitochondrial function. MDPs encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can act as hormone-like peptides, influencing cell survival and proliferation. Among these peptides, humanin has been identified as a crucial factor for maintaining cell survival and preventing cell death under various conditions. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that results from adrenal hormone dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate humanin expression in the adrenal tissue and serum of patients with ACC. For the first time, our study revealed significant reduction in the mRNA expression of humanin in patients with ACC compared to healthy controls. However, no significant changes were observed in the serum humanin levels. Interestingly, we identified a positive correlation between patient age and serum humanin levels and a negative correlation between tumor size and LDL levels. While the impaired expression of humanin in patients with ACC may be attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction, an alternative explanation could be related to diminished mitochondrial copy number. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the intricate relationship among humanin, mitochondrial function, and ACC pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Blatkiewicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
| | - Marta Szyszka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
| | - Anna Olechnowicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
| | - Kacper Kamiński
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
| | - Karol Jopek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
| | - Hanna Komarowska
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-356 Poznan, Poland; (H.K.); (A.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Marianna Tyczewska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Zielona Góra, Licealna Street 9, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Anna Klimont
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-356 Poznan, Poland; (H.K.); (A.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Tomasz Wierzbicki
- Department of General, Endocrinological and Gastroenterological Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-355 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marek Karczewski
- Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-356 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marek Ruchała
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-356 Poznan, Poland; (H.K.); (A.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcin Rucinski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (K.J.); (M.R.)
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