Chaperones, somatotroph tumors and the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) pathway

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2020 Jan 1:499:110607. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110607. Epub 2019 Oct 3.

Abstract

The cAMP-PKA pathway plays an essential role in the pituitary gland, governing cell differentiation and survival, and maintenance of endocrine function. Somatotroph growth hormone transcription and release as well as cell proliferation are regulated by the cAMP-PKA pathway; cAMP-PKA pathway abnormalities are frequently detected in sporadic as well as in hereditary somatotroph tumors and more rarely in other pituitary tumors. Inactivating variants of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP)-coding gene are the genetic cause of a subset of familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA). Multiple functional links between the co-chaperone AIP and the cAMP-PKA pathway have been described. This review explores the role of chaperones including AIP in normal pituitary function as well as in somatotroph tumors, and their interaction with the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Keywords: Acromegaly; Aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway; Molecular chaperone; Pituitary adenoma; Somatotroph; Somatotropinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases