CYP11B1

Gene Summary

Gene:CYP11B1; cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily B member 1
Aliases: FHI, CPN1, CYP11B, P450C11
Location:8q24.3
Summary:This gene encodes a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes. The cytochrome P450 proteins are monooxygenases which catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids. This protein localizes to the mitochondrial inner membrane and is involved in the conversion of progesterone to cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Mutations in this gene cause congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency. Transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been noted for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Databases:OMIM, HGNC, Ensembl, GeneCard, Gene
Protein:cytochrome P450 11B1, mitochondrial
Source:NCBIAccessed: 31 August, 2019

Ontology:

What does this gene/protein do?
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Pathways:What pathways are this gene/protein implicaed in?
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Cancer Overview

Research Indicators

Publications Per Year (1994-2019)
Graph generated 31 August 2019 using data from PubMed using criteria.

Literature Analysis

Mouse over the terms for more detail; many indicate links which you can click for dedicated pages about the topic.

  • Adrenocortical Cancer
  • Aldosterone
  • Testis
  • Case-Control Studies
  • CYP17
  • Transfection
  • Young Adult
  • Adrenocortical Cancer
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Adrenal Glands
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Steroids
  • G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels
  • Steroid Hydroxylases
  • Adrenal Cortex
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Transcriptome
  • Cushing Syndrome
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mutation
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Thymus Gland
  • Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
  • Hyperaldosteronism
  • Base Sequence
  • Veins
  • Adenoma
  • Messenger RNA
  • Cancer Gene Expression Regulation
  • Cell Line
  • Transcription
  • Chromosome 8
  • Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase
  • Single-Stranded Conformational Polymorphism
  • Adrenocortical Adenoma
  • Enzymologic Gene Expression Regulation
Tag cloud generated 31 August, 2019 using data from PubMed, MeSH and CancerIndex

Specific Cancers (2)

Data table showing topics related to specific cancers and associated disorders. Scope includes mutations and abnormal protein expression.

Note: list is not exhaustive. Number of papers are based on searches of PubMed (click on topic title for arbitrary criteria used).

Latest Publications: CYP11B1 (cancer-related)

Inoue K, Yamazaki Y, Kitamoto T, et al.
Aldosterone Suppression by Dexamethasone in Patients With KCNJ5-Mutated Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018; 103(9):3477-3485 [PubMed] Related Publications
Context: Aldosterone biosynthesis is regulated principally by ACTH and gene mutations as well as by angiotensin II and serum potassium. In addition, previous studies have reported the potential effects of KCNJ5 mutations in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) on cardiovascular diseases. However, responsiveness to ACTH in APAs according to potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 5 (KCNJ5) mutations remains unknown.
Objective: To investigate KCNJ5 genotype-specific differences in aldosterone biosynthesis in response to ACTH stimulation.
Design and Setting: A cross-sectional study through retrieval of clinical records.
Participants: One hundred forty-one patients aged ≥20 years with APA were examined.
Main Outcome Measures: Associations between KCNJ5 mutations and clinical parameters reflecting the renin-angiotensin system [saline infusion test (SIT)] and ACTH pathways [dexamethasone suppression test (DST)].
Results: KCNJ5 mutations were detected in 107 cases. In the crude comparison, patients with mutations in KCNJ5 had higher plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs) both at baseline and after the SIT. PAC after the DST showed a significant inverse association with KCNJ5 genotypes after controlling for age, sex, tumor size, and PAC after the SIT. Immunohistochemical analysis of 101 cases revealed more abundant immunoreactivity of CYP11B1 and CYP17 in the KCNJ5-mutated group than in the KCNJ5 wild-type group.
Conclusion: This report of marked suppression of PAC by dexamethasone in patients with KCNJ5-mutated APAs indicates that such APAs respond to endogenous ACTH more readily than APAs in nonmutated cases. Further molecular and epidemiologic studies are required to validate our results and clarify the clinical effectiveness of the DST for predicting KCNJ5 mutations before adrenalectomy.

Hung YP, Fletcher CDM, Hornick JL
Evaluation of pan-TRK immunohistochemistry in infantile fibrosarcoma, lipofibromatosis-like neural tumour and histological mimics.
Histopathology. 2018; 73(4):634-644 [PubMed] Related Publications
AIMS: Infantile fibrosarcoma is characterised by intersecting fascicles of spindle cells and ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion in most cases. Given histological overlap with other spindle-cell tumours, the diagnosis can be challenging and often requires molecular confirmation. A recently developed pan-TRK antibody shows promise for identifying tumours with NTRK fusions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential diagnostic utility of pan-TRK immunohistochemistry for infantile fibrosarcoma.
METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated whole-tissue sections from 210 cases, including 15 infantile fibrosarcomas; five each lipofibromatosis-like neural tumour and lipofibromatosis; 10 each primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumour of infancy (PMMTI) and low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma; 15 each fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI), myofibroma/myofibromatosis and desmoid-type fibromatosis; and 20 each low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, spindle-cell rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (F-DFSP) and nodular fasciitis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a rabbit monoclonal pan-TRK antibody. Immunoreactivity for pan-TRK was observed in all 15 (100%) infantile fibrosarcomas, including diffuse immunoreactivity (>50% of cells) in 14 (93%) cases. Pan-TRK was positive in all five (100%) lipofibromatosis-like neural tumours. Of the 190 histological mimics, diffuse pan-TRK immunoreactivity was noted in 16 (8%) cases, including five PMMTI, five FHI (highlighting predominantly the primitive myxoid spindle-cell components), three F-DFSP, one low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma, one myofibroma and one spindle-cell rhabdomyosarcoma.
CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse pan-TRK immunoreactivity is a highly sensitive but not entirely specific diagnostic marker for infantile fibrosarcoma, and may be helpful in selecting patients for TRK-targeted therapy. As expected, lipofibromatosis-like neural tumours, which harbour NTRK1 fusions, also show diffuse pan-TRK immunoreactivity.

Vanderriele PE, Caroccia B, Seccia TM, et al.
The angiotensin type 2 receptor in the human adrenocortical zona glomerulosa and in aldosterone-producing adenoma: low expression and no functional role.
Clin Sci (Lond). 2018; 132(6):627-640 [PubMed] Related Publications
The angiotensin II (Ang II) type 2 receptor (AT2R) and the angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) receptor (MasR) play a cardiovascular protective role by counter-regulating Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated effects, but whether this involves blunting of adrenocortical hormone secretion is unknown. We investigated the presence of AT1R, AT2R, and MasR in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), a condition featuring hyperaldosteronism, and in APA-adjacent tissue. The effect of Compound 21 (C21), an AT2R agonist, on CYP11B1 (cortisol synthase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) gene expression in NCI-H295R and HAC15 cell lines, and in APA and APA-adjacent tissue, was also assessed using the AT1R antagonist irbesartan to ascertain the specificity of C21 effect. We found that the AT1R, AT2R, and MasR were expressed in APA and APA-adjacent tissue, albeit heterogeneously. The gene expression of AT1R and AT2R was lower, and that of the MasR higher in APAs than in APA-adjacent tissue. In steroid-producing NCI-H295R and HAC15 cell lines, and in APA and APA-adjacent tissue, C21 was ineffective at nanomolar concentrations, but increased CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 gene expression at micromolar concentrations through AT1R, as this effect was blunted by irbesartan. The scant expression of the AT2R, along with the lack of any effect of C21 at low concentrations on CYP11B2, do not support the contention that the protective arm of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blunts aldosterone synthase in the normal adrenal cortex and primary aldosteronism.

Kometani M, Yoneda T, Demura M, et al.
Cortisol overproduction results from DNA methylation of CYP11B1 in hypercortisolemia.
Sci Rep. 2017; 7(1):11205 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Adrenocortical hormone excess, due to primary aldosteronism (PA) or hypercortisolemia, causes hypertension and cardiovascular complications. In PA, hypomethylation of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is associated with aldosterone overproduction. However, in hypercortisolemia, the role of DNA methylation of 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), which catalyzes cortisol biosynthesis and is highly homologous to CYP11B2, is unclear. The aims of our study were to determine whether the CYP11B1 expression was regulated through DNA methylation in hypercortisolemia with cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA), and to investigate a possible relationship between DNA methylation and somatic mutations identified in CPA. Methylation analysis showed that the CYP11B1 promoter was significantly less methylated in CPA than in adjacent unaffected adrenal tissue and white blood cells. Furthermore, in CPA with somatic mutations in either the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PRKACA) or the guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha (GNAS) gene, the CYP11B1 promoter was significantly hypomethylated. In addition, DNA methylation reduced CYP11B1 promoter activity using a reporter assay. Our study results suggest that DNA methylation at the CYP11B1 promoter plays a role in the regulation of CYP11B1 expression and cortisol production in CPA, and that somatic mutations associated with CPA reduce DNA methylation at the CYP11B1 promoter.

Fallo F, Castellano I, Gomez-Sanchez CE, et al.
Histopathological and genetic characterization of aldosterone-producing adenomas with concurrent subclinical cortisol hypersecretion: a case series.
Endocrine. 2017; 58(3):503-512 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
PURPOSE: Aldosterone-producing adenomas with concurrent subclinical cortisol hypersecretion are reported in an increasing number of patients. Five aldosterone-producing adenomas from patients with primary aldosteronism and subclinical hypercortisolism were examined.
THE AIMS OF OUR STUDY WERE: (1) to analyze pathological features and immunohistochemical expression of CYP11B1 (11β-hydroxylase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) in these tumors; (2) to investigate somatic mutations involved in adrenal steroid hypersecretion and/or tumor growth.
METHODS: Archival micro-dissected paraffin-embedded slides from tumor specimens were used for histological and molecular studies. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal anti-CYP11B1 and anti-CYP11B2 antibodies. Cellular composition was determined by examining for known features of zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa, and immunoreactivity for CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 by McCarty H-score. Spot regions for mutations in KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, CACNA1D, PRKACA, and CTNNB1 gene sequences were evaluated.
RESULTS: Four APAs showed a predominant (≥50%) zona fasciculata-like cell pattern: one tumor had CYP11B1 H-score = 150, no detectable CYP11B2 expression, and harbored a PRKACA p.Leu206Arg mutation (that we have reported previously elsewhere), one had no CYP11B1 expression, CYP11B2 H-score = 40, and no mutations; the remaining two adenomas had high CYP11B1 H-score (160 and 240, respectively) and low CYP11B2 H-score (30 and 15, respectively), with the latter harboring a CTNNB1 p.Ser45Phe activating mutation. One of five aldosterone-producing adenomas had a predominant zona glomerulosa-like pattern, CYP11B1 H-score = 15, CYP11B2 H-score = 180, and no mutations.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of aldosterone-producing adenomas with concurrent subclinical cortisol hypersecretion were composed mainly of zona fasciculata-like cells, while CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 immunostaining demonstrated clear heterogeneity. In a subset of cases, different somatic mutations may be involved in hormone excess and tumor formation.

Ellington N, Park JY, King K, et al.
EGFR Exon 20 Insertion/Duplication Mutation in Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy With Predominantly Pseudoangiomatous Pattern Mimicking Giant Cell Fibroblastoma.
Int J Surg Pathol. 2017; 25(5):421-424 [PubMed] Related Publications
We describe a case of fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) with predominant pseudoangiomatous histologic pattern that harbors a recently described characteristic molecular feature of FHI: EGFR exon 20 insertion/duplication mutation. A left axillary mass of an 8-month-old male was biopsied. Microscopic findings revealed a CD34-positive spindle cell proliferation accompanied by slit like spaces within collagen, mimicking giant cell fibroblastoma. The mass was excised. The vast majority of the mass showed histologic findings similar to the biopsy. However, the peripheral rim of the mass demonstrated focal triphasic histology suggestive of FHI. Giant cell fibroblastoma was excluded by a negative COL1A1/ PDGFB fusion by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Targeted Sanger sequencing revealed the presence of an EGFR exon 20 insertion/duplication mutation. We posit that identification of the characteristic EGFR exon 20 molecular aberration may be of diagnostic value in FHI with variant histology and help exclude more aggressive diagnoses.

Puar T, Engels M, van Herwaarden AE, et al.
Bilateral Testicular Tumors Resulting in Recurrent Cushing Disease After Bilateral Adrenalectomy.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017; 102(2):339-344 [PubMed] Related Publications
Context: Recurrence of hypercortisolism in patients after bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing disease is extremely rare.
Patient: We present a 27-year-old man who previously underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing disease with complete clinical resolution. Cushingoid features recurred 12 years later, with bilateral testicular enlargement. Hormonal tests confirmed adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing disease. Surgical resection of the testicular tumors led to clinical and biochemical remission.
Design and Results: Gene expression analysis of the tumor tissue by quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed high expression of all key steroidogenic enzymes. Adrenocortical-specific genes were 5.1 × 105 (CYP11B1), 1.8 × 102 (CYP11B2), and 6.3 × 104 (MC2R) times higher than nonsteroidogenic fibroblast control. This correlated with urine steroid metabolome profiling showing 2 fivefold increases in the excretion of the metabolites of 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, and total glucocorticoids. Leydig-specific genes were 4.3 × 101 (LHCGR) and 9.3 × 100 (HSD17B3) times higher than control, and urinary steroid profiling showed twofold increased excretion of the major androgen metabolites androsterone and etiocholanolone. These distinctly increased steroid metabolites were suppressed by dexamethasone but unresponsive to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation, supporting the role of ACTH, but not luteinizing hormone, in regulating tumor-specific steroid excess.
Conclusion: We report bilateral testicular tumors occurring in a patient with recurrent Cushing disease 12 years after bilateral adrenalectomy. Using mRNA expression analysis and steroid metabolome profiling, the tumors demonstrated both adrenocortical and gonadal steroidogenic properties, similar to testicular adrenal rest tumors found in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, suggesting the presence of pluripotent cells even in patients without congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Johns N, Stretch C, Tan BH, et al.
New genetic signatures associated with cancer cachexia as defined by low skeletal muscle index and weight loss.
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2017; 8(1):122-130 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Cachexia affects the majority with advanced cancer. Based on current demographic and clinical factors, it is not possible to predict who will develop cachexia or not. Such variation may, in part, be due to genotype. It has recently been proposed to extend the diagnostic criteria for cachexia to include a direct measure of low skeletal muscle index (LSMI) in addition to weight loss (WL). We aimed to explore our panel of candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) for association with WL +/- computerized tomography-defined LSMI. We also explored whether the transcription in muscle of identified genes was altered according to such cachexia phenotype METHODS: A retrospective cohort study design was used. Analysis explored associations of candidate SNPs with WL (n = 1276) and WL + LSMI (n = 943). Human muscle transcriptome (n = 134) was analysed using an Agilent platform.
RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the following genes showed association with WL alone: GCKR, LEPR, SELP, ACVR2B, TLR4, FOXO3, IGF1, CPN1, APOE, FOXO1, and GHRL. SNPs in LEPR, ACVR2B, TNF, and ACE were associated with concurrent WL + LSMI. There was concordance between muscle-specific expression for ACVR2B, FOXO1 and 3, LEPR, GCKR, and TLR4 genes and LSMI and/or WL (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The rs1799964 in the TNF gene and rs4291 in the ACE gene are new associations when the definition of cachexia is based on a combination of WL and LSMI. These findings focus attention on pro-inflammatory cytokines and the renin-angiotensin system as biomarkers/mediators of muscle wasting in cachexia.

Haznedaroglu IC, Malkan UY
Local bone marrow renin-angiotensin system in the genesis of leukemia and other malignancies.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016; 20(19):4089-4111 [PubMed] Related Publications
The existence of a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) specific to the hematopoietic bone marrow (BM) microenvironment had been proposed two decades ago. Most of the RAS molecules including ACE, ACE2, AGT, AGTR1, AGTR2, AKR1C4, AKR1D1, ANPEP, ATP6AP2, CMA1, CPA3, CTSA, CTSD, CTSG, CYP11A1, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, CYP17A1, CYP21A2, DPP3, EGFR, ENPEP, GPER, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, IGF2R, KLK1, LNPEP, MAS1, MME, NR3C1, NR3C2, PREP, REN, RNPEP, and THOP1 are locally present in the BM microenvironment. Local BM RAS peptides control the hematopoietic niche, myelopoiesis, erythropoiesis, thrombopoiesis and the development of other cellular lineages. Local BM RAS is important in hematopoietic stem cell biology and microenvironment. Angiotensin II regulates the proliferation, differentiation, and engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells. Activation of Mas receptor or ACE2 promotes proliferation of CD34+ cells. BM contains a progenitor that expresses renin throughout development. Angiotensin II attenuates the migration and proliferation of CD34+ Cells and promotes the adhesion of both MNCs and CD34+ cells. Renin cells in hematopoietic organs are precursor B cells. The renin cell requires RBP-J to differentiate. Mutant renin-expressing hematopoietic precursors can cause leukemia. Deletion of RBP-J in the renin-expressing progenitors enriches the precursor B-cell gene programme. Mutant cells undergo a neoplastic transformation, and mice develop a highly penetrant B-cell leukemia with multi-organ infiltration and early death. Many biological conditions during the development and function of blood cells are mediated by RAS, such as apoptosis, cellular proliferation, intracellular signaling, mobilization, angiogenesis, and fibrosis. The aim of this paper is to review recent developments regarding the actions of local BM RAS in the genesis of leukemia and other malignancies molecules.

Yoshii Y, Oki K, Gomez-Sanchez CE, et al.
Hypomethylation of CYP11B2 in Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma.
Hypertension. 2016; 68(6):1432-1437 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DNA methylation levels of steroidogenic enzyme genes in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and the effects of gene mutations in APA on the DNA methylation levels. DNA methylation array analysis was conducted using nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma (n=12) and APA (n=35) samples, including some with a KCNJ5 mutation (n=21), an ATP1A1 mutation (n=5), and without the known mutations (n=9). The quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was performed for the detection of CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 expression levels in nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma and APA. We introduced the KCNJ5 T158A mutation using lentivirus delivery in the human adrenocortical 15 cell line, and analyzed the effects of the mutation on DNA methylation levels. We analyzed the 83 presumed DNA methylation sites of steroidogenic enzymes. In APA, we found 7 hypomethylated sites in CYP11B2 and 1 hypomethylated and 6 hypermethylated sites in CYP11B1 There were no differences in the steroidogenic enzymes gene DNA methylation of peripheral leukocytes between nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenoma and APA. No CYP11B2 methylation level was associated with CYP11B2 transcription levels in APA. All methylation sites, except for a CYP11B2 region, showed no difference among APAs with or without gene mutations. Human adrenocortical 15 cells with the KCNJ5 mutation showed no changes in CYP11B2 or CYP11B1 methylation levels compared with control cells. We demonstrated that CYP11B2 in APA was extensively hypomethylated, and CYP11B2 methylation in the region with hypomethylation was not induced by KCNJ5 or ATP1A1 mutations that cause aldosterone overproduction in APA and a KCNJ5 mutation human adrenocortical 15 cells.

Okamura T, Nakajima Y, Katano-Toki A, et al.
Characteristics of Japanese aldosterone-producing adenomas with KCNJ5 mutations.
Endocr J. 2017; 64(1):39-47 [PubMed] Related Publications
Somatic mutations in KCNJ5 gene have been identified in patients with adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs). We previously reported that Japanese patients with APAs had distinct characteristics from patients in Western countries; i.e. they had a high frequency of KCNJ5 mutations and exhibited a frequent association with cortisol co-secretion. Therefore, APAs among Japanese patients may have different features from those in Western countries. We added recent cases, examined 47 cases (43% male) of APAs, including clinicopathological features, KCNJ5 mutations, and the mRNA levels of several steroidogenic enzymes, and compared the results obtained to those reported in other countries. While the prevalence of KCNJ5 mutations is approximately 40% in Western countries, 37 APA cases (78.7%) showed mutations: 26 with p.G151R and 11 with p.L168R. Although a significant gender difference has been reported in the frequency of KCNJ5 mutations in Europe, we did not find any gender difference. However, the phenotypes of Japanese patients with mutations were similar to those of patients in Western countries; patients were younger and had higher plasma aldosterone levels, lower potassium levels, and higher diastolic blood pressure. Reflecting these phenotypes, APAs with mutations had higher CYP11B2 mRNA levels. However, in contrast to APAs in Western countries, Japanese APAs with mutations showed lower CYP11B1, CYP17A1, and CYP11A1 mRNA levels. These findings demonstrated that Japanese APA patients may have distinct features including a higher prevalence of KCNJ5 mutations, no gender difference in the frequency of these mutations, and characteristics similar to the zona glomerulosa.

Park JY, Cohen C, Lopez D, et al.
EGFR Exon 20 Insertion/Duplication Mutations Characterize Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy.
Am J Surg Pathol. 2016; 40(12):1713-1718 [PubMed] Related Publications
Fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI) is a benign mesenchymal tumor histologically characterized by a mixture of intersecting fascicles of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts in collagenous stroma, nests of primitive oval or stellate cells in basophilic mucoid stroma, and mature adipose tissue. We hypothesized that FHI, because of histologic overlap with mesenchymal overgrowth tumors seen in CLOVES (Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth with Vascular, Epidermal, Skeletal anomalies) and Proteus syndromes, may harbor mutations in signaling pathways associated with cellular proliferation. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material from a discovery set of 4 cases of FHI was investigated by targeted next-generation sequencing of a panel of cancer-associated genes. The results were confirmed by targeted Sanger sequencing of EGFR exon 20. A validation set of 8 cases of FHI and 10 cases of other pediatric fatty tumors were investigated by targeted Sanger sequencing of EGFR exon 20. All 12 cases of FHI, and none of the 10 control tumors, showed EGFR exon 20 insertion/duplication mutations. This is the first report of molecular aberrations in FHI. The consistent occurrence of EGFR exon 20 insertion/duplication mutations in 100% of cases of FHI studied suggests that they must play a principal role in the pathogenesis of FHI, likely by conferring a potential for growth and local infiltration. Although surgical treatment will remain the mainstay of FHI treatment, tyrosine kinase inhibitors may have an adjunctive role in cases that are difficult to resect.

Murakami M, Yoshimoto T, Nakano Y, et al.
Expression of inflammation-related genes in aldosterone-producing adenomas with KCNJ5 mutation.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2016; 476(4):614-619 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: The adrenocortical cells have been shown to produce various inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6, which could modulate steroidogenesis. However, the role of inflammatory cytokines in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) is not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the relationships between mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related genes and somatic mutations in APA tissues.
METHODS: We evaluated mRNA expression levels of TNFA, IL6, and NFKB1 in APA tissues obtained from 44 Japanese APA patients.
RESULTS: We revealed that mRNA expression patterns of the inflammation-related genes depended on a KCNJ5 somatic mutation. In addition, we showed that mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related genes correlated with those of the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11B1 in the patients with APAs.
CONCLUSION: The present study documented for the first time the expression of inflammation-related genes in APAs and the correlation of their expression levels with the KCNJ5 mutation status and mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes, indicating the pathophysiological relevance of inflammation-related genes in APAs.

Rhayem Y, Perez-Rivas LG, Dietz A, et al.
PRKACA Somatic Mutations Are Rare Findings in Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016; 101(8):3010-7 [PubMed] Related Publications
CONTEXT: Somatic mutations have been found causative for endocrine autonomy in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs). Whereas mutations of PRKACA (catalytic subunit of protein kinase A) have been identified in cortisol-producing adenomas, the presence of PRKACA variants in APAs is unknown, especially in those that display cosecretion of cortisol.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate PRKACA somatic variants identified in APA cases.
DESIGN: Identification of PRKACA somatic variants in APAs by whole-exome sequencing followed by in vitro analysis of the enzymatic activity of PRKACA variants and functional characterization by double immunofluorescence of CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 expression in the corresponding tumor tissues.
SETTING AND PATIENTS: APA tissues were collected from 122 patients who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution.
RESULTS: PRKACA somatic mutations were identified in two APA cases (1.6%). One APA carried a newly identified p.His88Asp variant, whereas in a second case, a p.Leu206Arg mutation was found, previously described only in cortisol-producing adenomas with overt Cushing's syndrome. Functional analysis showed that the p.His88Asp variant was not associated with gain of function. Although CYP11B2 was strongly expressed in the p.His88Asp-mutated APA, the p.Leu206Arg carrying APA predominantly expressed CYP11B1. Accordingly, biochemical Cushing's syndrome was present only in the patient with the p.Leu206Arg mutation. After adrenalectomy, both patients improved with a reduced number of antihypertensive medications and normalized serum potassium levels.
CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time PRKACA mutations as rare findings associated with unilateral primary aldosteronism. As cortisol cosecretion occurs in a subgroup of APAs, other molecular mechanisms are likely to exist.

Kubota-Nakayama F, Nakamura Y, Konosu-Fukaya S, et al.
Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and their transcription factors in cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas: immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies.
Hum Pathol. 2016; 54:165-73 [PubMed] Related Publications
Adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) is caused by the overproduction of cortisol in adrenocortical tumors including adrenal cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA). In CS, steroidogenic enzymes such as 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lase (CYP17A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B), and 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) are abundantly expressed in tumor cells. In addition, several transcriptional factors have been reported to play pivotal roles in the regulation of these enzymes in CPA, but their correlations with those enzymes above have still remained largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the status of steroidogenic enzymes and their transcriptional factors in 78 and 15 CPA cases by using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), respectively. Immunoreactivity of HSD3B2, CYP11B1, CYP17A1, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1[NR5A1]), GATA6, and nerve growth factor induced-B (NGFIB[NR4A1]) was detected in tumor cells. Results of qPCR analysis revealed that expression of HSD3B2 mRNA was significantly higher than that of HSD3B1, and CYP11B1 mRNA was significantly higher than CYP11B2. In addition, the expression of CYP11B1 mRNA was positively correlated with those of NR5A1, GATA6, and NR4A1. These results all indicated that HSD3B2 but not HSD3B1 was mainly involved in cortisol overproduction in CPA. In addition, NR5A1, GATA6, and NR4A1 were all considered to play important roles in cortisol overproduction through regulating CYP11B1 gene transcription.

Usset JL, Raghavan R, Tyrer JP, et al.
Assessment of Multifactor Gene-Environment Interactions and Ovarian Cancer Risk: Candidate Genes, Obesity, and Hormone-Related Risk Factors.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2016; 25(5):780-90 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Many epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk factors relate to hormone exposure and elevated estrogen levels are associated with obesity in postmenopausal women. Therefore, we hypothesized that gene-environment interactions related to hormone-related risk factors could differ between obese and non-obese women.
METHODS: We considered interactions between 11,441 SNPs within 80 candidate genes related to hormone biosynthesis and metabolism and insulin-like growth factors with six hormone-related factors (oral contraceptive use, parity, endometriosis, tubal ligation, hormone replacement therapy, and estrogen use) and assessed whether these interactions differed between obese and non-obese women. Interactions were assessed using logistic regression models and data from 14 case-control studies (6,247 cases; 10,379 controls). Histotype-specific analyses were also completed.
RESULTS: SNPs in the following candidate genes showed notable interaction: IGF1R (rs41497346, estrogen plus progesterone hormone therapy, histology = all, P = 4.9 × 10(-6)) and ESR1 (rs12661437, endometriosis, histology = all, P = 1.5 × 10(-5)). The most notable obesity-gene-hormone risk factor interaction was within INSR (rs113759408, parity, histology = endometrioid, P = 8.8 × 10(-6)).
CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the feasibility of assessing multifactor interactions in large genetic epidemiology studies. Follow-up studies are necessary to assess the robustness of our findings for ESR1, CYP11A1, IGF1R, CYP11B1, INSR, and IGFBP2 Future work is needed to develop powerful statistical methods able to detect these complex interactions.
IMPACT: Assessment of multifactor interaction is feasible, and, here, suggests that the relationship between genetic variants within candidate genes and hormone-related risk factors may vary EOC susceptibility. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 780-90. ©2016 AACR.

Høie AH, Svendsen C, Rasmussen T, et al.
Intestinal Tumor Development in C57BL/6J-ApcMin/+ Mice Expressing Human Sulphotransferases 1A1 and 1A2 After Oral Exposure to 2,5-Dimethylfuran.
Anticancer Res. 2016; 36(2):545-53 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) is formed during heating of foods. Following side chain hydroxylation, DMF could be a substrate for human sulphotransferases (SULTs), which may lead to formation of a DNA reactive electrophile. Only few conflicting in vitro and no in vivo studies on DMF currently exist.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tumorigenic potential of DMF was studied in multiple intestinal neoplasia Apc(Min/+) (Min) mice that are sensitive to intestinal carcinogenesis and express hSULTs 1A1 and 1A2 (Min/hSULT). Min and Min/hSULT mice were orally exposed to DMF for six weeks.
RESULTS: The intestinal tumor development of untreated female Min/hSULT mice was significantly lower compared to that of untreated Min females. No such effects of hSULTs were seen in males. DMF had a weak tumorigenic potential in the colon of female Min/hSULT mice, but not in males. Tumor development in Min mice was not affected.
CONCLUSION: Overall, the tumorigenic potential of DMF in a metabolically competent mouse model was not convincing.

Nishimoto K, Seki T, Kurihara I, et al.
Case Report: Nodule Development From Subcapsular Aldosterone-Producing Cell Clusters Causes Hyperaldosteronism.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016; 101(1):6-9 [PubMed] Related Publications
CONTEXT: We previously reported that the human adrenal cortex remodels to form subcapsular aldosterone-producing cell clusters (APCCs). Some APCCs were recently found to carry aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA)-associated somatic mutations in ion channel/pump genes, which implied that APCCs produce aldosterone autonomously and are an origin of APA. However, there has been no report describing an APCC-to-APA transitional lesion.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A histological examination revealed unilateral multiple adrenocortical micronodules in the adrenals of two patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). Based on immunohistochemistry for aldosterone synthase, some of the micronodules were identified as possible APCC-to-APA transitional lesions (pAATLs; a tentative term used in this manuscript), which consisted of a subcapsular APCC-like portion and an inner micro-APA-like (mAPA-like) portion without an apparent histological border. Genomic DNA samples prepared from pAATL histological sections were analyzed by next-generation sequencing for the known APA-associated mutations. The mAPA-like portions from two of the three large pAATLs examined harbored mutations (KCNJ5 [p.G151R] in pAATL 3 and ATP1A1 [p.L337M] in pAATL 7), whereas their corresponding APCC-like portions did not, suggesting their role in the formation of mAPA. Another lesion carried novel mutations in ATP1A1 (p.Ile322_Ile325del and p.Ile327Ser) in both the mAPA-like and APCC-like portions, thereby supporting these portions having a clonal origin.
CONCLUSION: A novel aldosterone-producing pathology, pAATL that causes unilateral PA, was detected in the adrenals of two patients. Next-generation sequencing analyses of the large pAATLs suggested that the introduction of APA-associated mutations in the ion channel/pump genes may be involved in the development of mAPA from existing APCCs.

Bronsveld HK, ter Braak B, Karlstad Ø, et al.
Treatment with insulin (analogues) and breast cancer risk in diabetics; a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro, animal and human evidence.
Breast Cancer Res. 2015; 17:100 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
INTRODUCTION: Several studies have suggested that anti-diabetic insulin analogue treatment might increase cancer risk. The aim of this study was to review the postulated association between insulin and insulin analogue treatment and breast cancer development, and plausible mechanisms.
METHOD: A systematic literature search was performed on breast cell-line, animal and human studies using the key words 'insulin analogue' and 'breast neoplasia' in MEDLINE at PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science databases. A quantitative and qualitative review was performed on the epidemiological data; due to a limited number of reported estimates, a meta-analysis was performed for glargine only. A comprehensive overview was composed for in vitro and animal studies. Protein and gene expression was analysed for the cell lines most frequently used in the included in vitro studies.
RESULTS: In total 16 in vitro, 5 animal, 2 in vivo human and 29 epidemiological papers were included. Insulin AspB10 showed mitogenic properties in vitro and in animal studies. Glargine was the only clinically available insulin analogue for which an increased proliferative potential was found in breast cancer cell lines. However, the pooled analysis of 13 epidemiological studies did not show evidence for an association between insulin glargine treatment and an increased breast cancer risk (HR 1.04; 95 % CI 0.91-1.17; p=0.49) versus no glargine in patients with diabetes mellitus. It has to be taken into account that the number of animal studies was limited, and epidemiological studies were underpowered and suffered from methodological limitations.
CONCLUSION: There is no compelling evidence that any clinically available insulin analogue (Aspart, Determir, Glargine, Glulisine or Lispro), nor human insulin increases breast cancer risk. Overall, the data suggests that insulin treatment is not involved in breast tumour initiation, but might induce breast tumour progression by up regulating mitogenic signalling pathways.

Sheng Q, Lv Z, Xu W, et al.
A Case Report of Adrenocortical Adenoma Mimicking Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in a Young Girl.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2015; 94(25):e1046 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Adrenal cortical tumors are rare in children. Secondary tumors associated with untreated congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have also been reported in pediatric population. It is difficult for pediatricians to differentiate these 2 lesions.We described a 4.5-year-old girl who presented with symptoms and signs of virilization. Bone age was 9.5 years. Genetic analysis of CYP21A2 and CYP11B1 revealed a heterozygous mutation of CYP11B1 at c.1157C>T (A386V). No germline p53 gene mutation including R337H was detected.The patient was first misdiagnosed as CAH and treated with hydrocortisone for 3 months. Diagnosis of an adrenal cortical tumor was confirmed by laboratory data and abdominal computed tomography. After resection of the tumor, serum steroids normalized and clinical signs receded. The child received no additional treatment and remains disease free after 12 months of close observation. Histological examination showed neoplasia cells with predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm and few atypical mitotic figures. The proliferation-associated Ki-67 index was <1% detected by immunohistochemistry.Neoplasm is a rare but significant cause of precocious puberty (PP). The possibility of neoplasms should always be considered early to avoid delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment in cases of PP.

Markou A, Sertedaki A, Kaltsas G, et al.
Stress-induced Aldosterone Hyper-Secretion in a Substantial Subset of Patients With Essential Hypertension.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015; 100(8):2857-64 [PubMed] Related Publications
CONTEXT: Aldosterone (ALD) secretion is regulated mainly by angiotensin II, K(+), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have effectively been used for the treatment of patients with hypertension who do not have primary aldosteronism (PA).
OBJECTIVE: We tested whether chronic stress-related ACTH-mediated ALD hypersecretion and/or zona glomerulosa hypersensitivity could be implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (ESHT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirteen hypertensives without PA and 61 normotensive controls underwent an ultralow-dose (0.03-μg) ACTH stimulation and a treadmill test. Patients with ALD hyper-response according to the cutoffs obtained from controls received treatment with MRAs and underwent genomic DNA testing for the presence of the CYP11B1/CYP11B2 chimeric gene and KCNJ5 gene mutations. A control group of 22 patients with simple ESHT received treatment with MRAs.
RESULTS: Based on the cutoffs of ALD and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) post-ACTH stimulation obtained from controls, 30 patients (27%) exhibited an ALD but not cortisol (F) hyper-response (HYPER group). This group had no difference in basal ACTH/renin (REN) concentrations compared with controls and the 83 patients with hypertension (73%) without an ALD hyper-response to ACTH stimulation. Patients in the HYPER group demonstrated significantly higher ALD concentrations, ARR, and ALD/ACTH ratio (AAR) in the treadmill test. Treatment with MRAs alone produced normalization of blood pressure in these patients whereas patients with hypertension with neither PA nor ALD hyper-response to ACTH stimulation who served as a control group failed to lower blood pressure. Also, two novel germline heterozygous KCNJ5 mutations were detected in the HYPER group.
CONCLUSIONS: A number of patients with hypertension without PA show ACTH-dependent ALD hyper-secretion and benefit from treatment with MRAs. This could be related to chronic stress via ACTH hyper secretion and/or gene-mutations increasing the zona glomerulosa responsiveness to excitatory stimuli.

Vandraas KF, Vikanes ÅV, Støer NC, et al.
Hyperemesis gravidarum and risk of cancer in offspring, a Scandinavian registry-based nested case-control study.
BMC Cancer. 2015; 15:398 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Hyperemesis gravidarum is a serious condition affecting 0.8-2.3% of pregnant women and can be regarded as a restricted period of famine. Research concerning potential long-term consequences of the condition for the offspring, is limited, but lack of nutrition in-utero has been associated with chronic disease in adulthood, including some cancers. There is growing evidence that several forms of cancer may originate during fetal life. We conducted a large study linking the high-quality population-based medical birth- and cancer registries in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, to explore whether hyperemesis is associated with increased cancer risk in offspring.
METHODS: A registry-based nested case-control study. Twelve types of childhood cancer were selected; leukemia, lymphoma, cancer of the central nervous system, testis, bone, ovary, breast, adrenal and thyroid gland, nephroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and retinoblastoma. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to study associations between hyperemesis and risk of childhood cancer, both all types combined and separately. Cancer types with five or more exposed cases were stratified by age at diagnosis. All analysis were adjusted for maternal age, ethnicity and smoking, in addition to the offspring's Apgar score, placental weight and birth weight. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
RESULTS: In total 14,805 cases and approximately ten controls matched on time, country of birth, sex and year of birth per case (147,709) were identified. None of the cancer types, analyzed combined or separately, revealed significant association with hyperemesis. When stratified according to age at diagnosis, we observed a RR 2.13 for lymphoma among adolescents aged 11-20 years ((95% CI 1.14-3.99), after adjustment for maternal ethnicity and maternal age, RR 2.08 (95% CI 1.11-3.90)). The finding was not apparent when a stricter level of statistical significance was applied.
CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this paper is that hyperemesis does not seem to increase cancer risk in offspring. The positive association to lymphoma may be by chance and needs confirmation.

Wang B, Li X, Zhang X, et al.
Prevalence and characterization of somatic mutations in Chinese aldosterone-producing adenoma patients.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2015; 94(16):e708 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Recently somatic mutations of KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, and CACNA1D have been identified in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). The present study sequenced the DNA in the tissues and blood samples from Chinese patients with APA for KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, and CACNA1D gene mutations.Among the 114 patients, 86 (75.4%) were identified with KCNJ5 somatic mutations, including 3 previously reported (G151R, L168R, T158A) and 2 other unreported mutations. One patient presented with both a point mutation (E147) and an insertion mutation, whereas another had a 36-base duplication, G153_G164dup. No mutation of ATP1A1 and ATP2B3 in the known hotspots was identified and only 1 male patient was detected with a novel CACNA1D mutation, V748I. Unlike other studies, male and female patients had similar KCNJ5 mutation rates (76.9% vs 74.2%). Mutation carriers were younger and had lower preoperative potassium level, whereas male (but not female) mutation carriers had higher preoperative plasma aldosterone concentration and preoperative blood pressures. Mutation carriers also had higher LV mass index (LVMI) than nonmutation carriers. After surgery, LVMI improved significantly in the KCNJ5 mutation group but not in the nonmutation group. The mRNA expression of KCNJ5, CYP11B2, and ATP2B3 was higher in the KCNJ5-mutated APA tissues. Functional characterization of the 2 novel KCNJ5 mutations showed that they were associated with decreased proliferation, membrane depolarization, elevated secretion of aldosterone, and increased expression of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2.In conclusion, Chinese APA patients appear to have a high frequency of somatic KCNJ5 mutation. Mutation prevalence rates are similar among men and women and 2 novel mutations are identified. KCNJ5-mutated patients benefit more from surgical resection of APA than nonmutated patients.

Lottrup G, Nielsen JE, Skakkebæk NE, et al.
Abundance of DLK1, differential expression of CYP11B1, CYP21A2 and MC2R, and lack of INSL3 distinguish testicular adrenal rest tumours from Leydig cell tumours.
Eur J Endocrinol. 2015; 172(4):491-9 [PubMed] Related Publications
OBJECTIVE: Testicular adrenal rest tumours (TARTs) are a common finding in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). These tumours constitute a diagnostic and management conundrum and may lead to infertility. TART cells share many functional and morphological similarities with Leydig cells (LCs), and masses consisting of such cells are occasionally misclassified as malignant testicular tumours, which may lead to erroneous orchiectomy in these patients.
DESIGN: In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of LC developmental markers and adrenal steroidogenic markers in the differential diagnosis of TARTs and malignant LC tumours (LCTs).
METHODS: We investigated mRNA and protein expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes; CYP11A1 and HSD3B1/2, markers of adrenal steroidogenesis; CYP11B1, CYP21A2 and ACTH receptor/melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), and markers of LC maturation; and delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) in testicular biopsies with TART, orchiectomy specimens with LCTs and samples from human fetal adrenals.
RESULTS: Expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes was observed in all specimens. All investigated adrenal steroidogenic markers were expressed in TART, and weak reactions for CYP11B1 and MC2R were observed at the protein level in LTCs. TART and fetal adrenals had identical expression profiles. DLK1 was highly expressed and INSL3 not detectable in TART, whereas INSL3 was highly expressed in LCTs.
CONCLUSIONS: The similar expression profiles in TART and fetal adrenals as well as the presence of classical markers of adrenal steroidogenesis lend support to the hypothesis that TART develops from a displaced adrenal cell type. Malignant LCTs seem to have lost DLK1 expression and do not resemble immature LCs. The different expression pattern of DLK1, INSL3 and most adrenocortical markers adds to the elucidation of the histogenesis of testicular interstitial tumours and may facilitate histopathological diagnosis.

Smeets EE, Span PN, van Herwaarden AE, et al.
Molecular characterization of testicular adrenal rest tumors in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: lesions with both adrenocortical and Leydig cell features.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015; 100(3):E524-30 [PubMed] Related Publications
CONTEXT: Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are one of the major long term complications in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Although several adrenal-like properties have been assigned to these benign lesions, the etiology has not been confirmed yet.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe TART in more detail by analyzing several (steroidogenic) characteristics that may be classified as adrenal cortex or Leydig cell specific.
METHODS: Gene expression analysis by qPCR was performed for 14 genes in TART tissue (n = 12) and compared with the expression in healthy control fibroblasts (nonsteroidogenic control). In addition, a comparison was made with the expression levels in testis tissue (n = 9) and adrenal tissue (n = 13).
RESULTS: Nearly all genes were highly expressed in TART tissue, including all genes that encode the key steroidogenic enzymes. TART expression levels are in the majority almost identical to those found in adrenal tissue. The expression of adrenal cortex specific genes (CYP11B1, CYP11B2, and MC2R) in both TART and adrenal tissue is approximately 1000-10 000 times higher compared to that in testes samples. In addition, the Leydig cell markers INSL3 and HSD17B3 were not only found in testes, but also in TART, both at significantly higher levels than in the adrenal (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Our study shows for the first time that TART have multiple steroidogenic properties, which include not only the expression of adrenal cortex but also of Leydig cell markers. Therefore, the origin of these tumors might be a more totipotent embryonic cell type.

Konosu-Fukaya S, Nakamura Y, Satoh F, et al.
3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms in human aldosterone-producing adenoma.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2015; 408:205-12 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
It has become important to evaluate the possible involvement of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1) and 2 (HSD3B2) isoforms in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). In this study, we studied 67 and 100 APA cases using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results of qPCR analysis demonstrated that HSD3B2 mRNA was significantly more abundant than HSD3B1 mRNA (P < 0.0001), but only HSD3B1 mRNA significantly correlated with CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) mRNA (P <0.0001) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) of the patients (P <0.0001). Results of immunohistochemistry subsequently revealed that HSD3B2 immunoreactivity was detected in the great majority of APA but a significant correlation was also detected between HSD3B1 and CYP11B2 (P <0.0001). In KCNJ5 mutated APA, CYP11B2 mRNA (P <0.0001) and HSD3B1 mRNA (P = 0.011) were significantly higher than those of wild type APA. These results suggest that HSD3B1 is involved in aldosterone production, despite its lower levels of expression compared with HSD3B2, and also possibly associated with KCNJ5 mutation in APA.

Funder JW
Genetics of primary aldosteronism.
Front Horm Res. 2014; 43:70-8 [PubMed] Related Publications
Primary aldosteronism (PA) accounts for ∼10% of hypertension, which is commonly caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Germline mutations producing PA are considered rare and termed familial hyperaldosteronism (FH) [1, 2, 3]. Since early 2011, a series of somatic mutations confined to the adrenal cortex has been reported, accounting for about half of APA. These mutations are in genes encoding components of the Kir 3.4 (GIRK4) potassium channel (KCNJ5), sodium/potassium and calcium ATPases (ATP1A1 and ATP2B3) and a voltage-dependent C-type calcium channel (CACNA1D). FH-1 (glucocorticoid-remediable hyperaldosteronism) results from a chimeric gene (5'-end of CYP11B1 fused to 3'-end of CYP11B2) and accounts for ∼1% of PA. FH-3 is very rare, is caused by bilateral expression of mutant KCNJ5 and usually results in florid hyperaldosteronism requiring early bilateral adrenalectomy. FH-2 is the most common form of hereditary PA (2 first-degree relatives with either an APA or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) and currently thought to represent ∼6% of PA; the true prevalence may be considerably higher. The mutation(s) causing FH-2 are unknown but appear dominant, as is the case for FH-1 and FH-3. No studies have been done on possible recessive forms of PA.

Fernandes-Rosa FL, Williams TA, Riester A, et al.
Genetic spectrum and clinical correlates of somatic mutations in aldosterone-producing adenoma.
Hypertension. 2014; 64(2):354-61 [PubMed] Related Publications
Primary aldosteronism is the most common form of secondary hypertension. Somatic mutations in KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, and CACNA1D have been described in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs). Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of somatic mutations in these genes in unselected patients with APA (n=474), collected through the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors. Correlations with clinical and biochemical parameters were first analyzed in a subset of 199 patients from a single center and then replicated in 2 additional centers. Somatic heterozygous KCNJ5 mutations were present in 38% (180/474) of APAs, whereas ATP1A1 mutations were found in 5.3% (25/474) and ATP2B3 mutations in 1.7% (8/474) of APAs. Previously reported somatic CACNA1D mutations as well as 10 novel CACNA1D mutations were identified in 44 of 474 (9.3%) APAs. There was no difference in the cellular composition of APAs or in CYP11B2, CYP11B1, KCNJ5, CACNA1D, or ATP1A1 gene expression in APAs across genotypes. Patients with KCNJ5 mutations were more frequently female, diagnosed younger, and with higher minimal plasma potassium concentrations compared with CACNA1D mutation carriers or noncarriers. CACNA1D mutations were associated with smaller adenomas. These associations were largely dependent on the population structure of the different centers. In conclusion, recurrent somatic mutations were identified in 54% of APAs. Young women with APAs are more likely to be KCNJ5 mutation carriers; identification of specific characteristics or surrogate biomarkers of mutation status may lead to targeted treatment options.

Dekkers T, ter Meer M, Lenders JW, et al.
Adrenal nodularity and somatic mutations in primary aldosteronism: one node is the culprit?
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014; 99(7):E1341-51 [PubMed] Related Publications
CONTEXT: Somatic mutations in genes that influence cell entry of calcium have been identified in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) of adrenal cortex in primary aldosteronism (PA). Many adrenal glands removed for suspicion of APA do not contain a single adenoma but nodular hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess multinodularity and phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of adrenals removed because of the suspicion of APAs.
DESIGN AND METHODS: We assessed the adrenals of 53 PA patients for histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemistry for aldosterone (P450C18) and cortisol (P450C11) synthesis and for KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, and CACNA1D mutations in microdissected nodi.
RESULTS: Glands contained a solitary adenoma in 43% and nodular hyperplasia in 53% of cases. Most adrenal glands contained only one nodule positive for P450C18 expression, with all other nodules negative. KCNJ5 mutations were present in 22 of 53 adrenals (13 adenoma and nine multinodular adrenals). An ATP1A1 and a CACNA1D mutation were found in one multinodular gland each and an ATP2B3 mutation in five APA-containing glands. Mutations were always located in the P450C18-positive nodule. In one gland two nodules containing two different KCNJ5 mutations were present. Zona fasciculata-like cells were more typical for KCNJ5 mutation-containing nodules and zona glomerulosa-like cells for the other three genes.
CONCLUSIONS: Somatic mutations in KCNJ5, ATP1A1, or CACNA1D genes are not limited to APAs but are also found in the more frequent multinodular adrenals. In multinodular glands, only one nodule harbors a mutation. This suggests that the occurrence of a mutation and nodule formation are independent processes. The implications for clinical management remain to be determined.

Felizola SJ, Nakamura Y, Ono Y, et al.
PCP4: a regulator of aldosterone synthesis in human adrenocortical tissues.
J Mol Endocrinol. 2014; 52(2):159-67 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Purkinje cell protein 4 (PCP4) is a calmodulin (CaM)-binding protein that accelerates calcium association and dissociation with CaM. It has been previously detected in aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA), but details on its expression and function in adrenocortical tissues have remained unknown. Therefore, we performed the immunohistochemical analysis of PCP4 in the following tissues: normal adrenal (NA; n=15), APA (n=15), cortisol-producing adenomas (n=15), and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism cases (IHA; n=5). APA samples (n=45) were also submitted to quantitative RT-PCR of PCP4, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2, as well as DNA sequencing for KCNJ5 mutations. Transient transfection analysis using PCP4 siRNA was also performed in H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells, following ELISA analysis, and CYP11B2 luciferase assays were also performed after PCP4 vector transfection in order to study the regulation of PCP4 protein expression. In our findings, PCP4 immunoreactivity was predominantly detected in APA and in the zona glomerulosa of NA and IHA. In APA, the mRNA levels of PCP4 were significantly correlated with those of CYP11B2 (P<0.0001) and were significantly higher in cases with KCNJ5 mutation than WT (P=0.005). Following PCP4 vector transfection, CYP11B2 luciferase reporter activity was significantly higher than controls in the presence of angiotensin-II. Knockdown of PCP4 resulted in a significant decrease in CYP11B2 mRNA levels (P=0.012) and aldosterone production (P=0.011). Our results indicate that PCP4 is a regulator of aldosterone production in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human adrenocortical cells.

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