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Stallings CE, Kapali J, Evans BW, McGee SR, Ellsworth BS. FOXO Transcription Factors Are Required for Normal Somatotrope Function and Growth. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6490941. [PMID: 34971379 PMCID: PMC8782608 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary organogenesis and function is essential for improving therapeutics and molecular diagnoses for hypopituitarism. We previously found that deletion of the forkhead factor, Foxo1, in the pituitary gland early in development delays somatotrope differentiation. While these mice grow normally, they have reduced growth hormone expression and free serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels, suggesting a defect in somatotrope function. FOXO factors show functional redundancy in other tissues, so we deleted both Foxo1 and its closely related family member, Foxo3, from the primordial pituitary. We find that this results in a significant reduction in growth. Consistent with this, male and female mice in which both genes have been deleted in the pituitary gland (dKO) exhibit reduced pituitary growth hormone expression and serum IGF1 levels. Expression of the somatotrope differentiation factor, Neurod4, is reduced in these mice. This suggests a mechanism underlying proper somatotrope function is the regulation of Neurod4 expression by FOXO factors. Additionally, dKO mice have reduced Lhb expression and females also have reduced Fshb and Prl expression. These studies reveal FOXO transcription factors as important regulators of pituitary gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Jyoti Kapali
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Brian W Evans
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Stacey R McGee
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Correspondence: Buffy S. Ellsworth, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1135 Lincoln Drive, Life Science III room 2062, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
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Kapali J, Kabat BE, Schmidt KL, Stallings CE, Tippy M, Jung DO, Edwards BS, Nantie LB, Raeztman LT, Navratil AM, Ellsworth BS. Foxo1 Is Required for Normal Somatotrope Differentiation. Endocrinology 2016; 157:4351-4363. [PMID: 27631552 PMCID: PMC5086538 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The etiology for half of congenital hypopituitarism cases is unknown. Our long-term goal is to expand the molecular diagnoses for congenital hypopituitarism by identifying genes that contribute to this condition. We have previously shown that the forkhead box transcription factor, FOXO1, is present in approximately half of somatotropes at embryonic day (e) 18.5, suggesting it may have a role in somatotrope differentiation or function. To elucidate the role of FOXO1 in somatotrope differentiation and function, Foxo1 was conditionally deleted from the anterior pituitary (Foxo1Δpit). Uncommitted progenitor cells are maintained and able to commit to the somatotrope lineage normally based on the expression patterns of Sox2, a marker of uncommitted pituitary progenitors, and Pou1f1 (also known as Pit1), which marks committed progenitors. Interestingly, Foxo1Δpit embryonic mice exhibit delayed somatotrope differentiation as evidenced by an almost complete absence of GH immunoreactivity at e16.5 and reduced expression of Gh at e18.5 and postnatal day (P) 3. Consistent with this conclusion, expression of GHRH receptor, a marker of terminally differentiated somatotropes, is significantly reduced at e18.5 and P3 in the absence of FOXO1. The mechanism of FOXO1 regulation of somatotrope differentiation may involve the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Neurod4, which has been implicated in somatotrope differentiation and is significantly reduced in Foxo1Δpit mice. Foxo1Δpit mice do not exhibit growth defects, and at P21 their pituitary glands exhibit a normal distribution of somatotropes. These studies demonstrate that FOXO1 is important for initial somatotrope specification embryonically but is dispensable for postnatal somatotrope expansion and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Kapali
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Brock E Kabat
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Kelly L Schmidt
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Mason Tippy
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Deborah O Jung
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Brian S Edwards
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Leah B Nantie
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Lori T Raeztman
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Amy M Navratil
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology (J.K., B.E.K., K.L.S., C.E.S., M.T., D.O.J., B.S.El.), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6523; Department of Zoology and Physiology (B.S.Ed., A.M.N.), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; and Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology (L.B.N., L.T.R.), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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Gergics P, Christian HC, Choo MS, Ajmal A, Camper SA. Gene Expression in Mouse Thyrotrope Adenoma: Transcription Elongation Factor Stimulates Proliferation. Endocrinology 2016; 157:3631-46. [PMID: 27580811 PMCID: PMC5007889 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thyrotrope hyperplasia and hypertrophy are common responses to primary hypothyroidism. To understand the genetic regulation of these processes, we studied gene expression changes in the pituitaries of Cga(-/-) mice, which are deficient in the common α-subunit of TSH, LH, and FSH. These mice have thyrotrope hypertrophy and hyperplasia and develop thyrotrope adenoma. We report that cell proliferation is increased, but the expression of most stem cell markers is unchanged. The α-subunit is required for secretion of the glycoprotein hormone β-subunits, and mutants exhibit elevated expression of many genes involved in the unfolded protein response, consistent with dilation and stress of the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutants have elevated expression of transcription factors that are important in thyrotrope function, such as Gata2 and Islet 1, and those that stimulate proliferation, including Nupr1, E2f1, and Etv5. We characterized the expression and function of a novel, overexpressed gene, transcription elongation factor A (SII)-like 5 (Tceal5). Stable expression of Tceal5 in a pituitary progenitor cell line is sufficient to increase cell proliferation. Thus, Tceal5 may act as a proto-oncogene. This study provides a rich resource for comparing pituitary transcriptomes and an analysis of gene expression networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gergics
- Department of Human Genetics (P.G., M.S.C., S.A.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (H.C.C.), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0RZ, United Kingdom; and Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Helen C Christian
- Department of Human Genetics (P.G., M.S.C., S.A.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (H.C.C.), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0RZ, United Kingdom; and Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Monica S Choo
- Department of Human Genetics (P.G., M.S.C., S.A.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (H.C.C.), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0RZ, United Kingdom; and Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Adnan Ajmal
- Department of Human Genetics (P.G., M.S.C., S.A.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (H.C.C.), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0RZ, United Kingdom; and Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics (P.G., M.S.C., S.A.C.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (H.C.C.), University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 0RZ, United Kingdom; and Department of Internal Medicine, Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes (A.A.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
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Guo T, Chen T, Gu C, Li B, Xu C. Genetic and molecular analyses reveal G6PC as a key element connecting glucose metabolism and cell cycle control in ovarian cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:7649-58. [PMID: 25926381 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3463-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the role of glucose-6-phosphatase, catalytic subunit (G6PC) in ovarian cancer and to exploit its therapeutic potential. With reproduction of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we studied expressions of genes in the glucose metabolism pathways in silico. The cBioPortal For Cancer Genomics was used to study the clinical, pathological and molecular profiles of G6PC. In vitro studies were performed to validate the function of G6PC and the effect of genetic and pharmaceutical G6PC inhibition. In 158 ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients with complete RNA-seq data, G6PC expression was increased in 27 patients (17 %). Both overall survival (OS) and disease-free period were significantly shorter in cases with increased G6PC level. Significantly decreased total and phosphorylated CDKN1B level was noted in OvCa with increased G6PC expression. Silenced G6PC in OvCa cells induced decreased cell proliferation, viability, invasiveness and anchorage-independent cell growth. G6PC silencing also induced enhanced cell cycle control proteins and restoration of CDKN1B level. Pharmaceutical inhibition of G6PC with specific compound showed similar effects to genetic silencing. G6PC played dual roles both in glucose metabolism and cell cycle control in OvCa, which potentiated it a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Stem Cell and and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Chao Gu
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Congjian Xu
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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