β-Arrestin 1 and 2 and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 expression in pituitary adenomas: role in the regulation of response to somatostatin analogue treatment in patients with acromegaly

Endocrinology. 2013 Dec;154(12):4715-25. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1672. Epub 2013 Oct 29.

Abstract

Recent in vitro studies highlighted G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2 and β-arrestins as important players in driving somatostatin receptor (SSTR) desensitization and trafficking. Our aim was to characterize GRK2 and β-arrestins expression in different pituitary adenomas and to investigate their potential role in the response to somatostatin analog (SSA) treatment in GH-secreting adenomas (GHomas). We evaluated mRNA expression of multiple SSTRs, GRK2, β-arrestin 1, and β-arrestin 2 in 41 pituitary adenomas (31 GHomas, 6 nonfunctioning [NFPAs], and 4 prolactinomas [PRLomas]). Within the GHomas group, mRNA data were correlated with the in vivo response to an acute octreotide test and with the GH-lowering effect of SSA in cultured primary cells. β-Arrestin 1 expression was low in all 3 adenoma histotypes. However, its expression was significantly lower in GHomas and PRLomas, compared with NFPAs (P < .01). GRK2 expression was higher in PRLomas and NFPAs compared with GHomas (P < .05). In the GHoma group, GRK2 expression was inversely correlated to β-arrestin 1 (P < .05) and positively correlated to β-arrestin 2 (P < .0001). SSA treatment did not affect GRK2 and β-arrestin expression in GHomas or in cultured rat pituitary tumor GH3 cells. Noteworthy, β-arrestin 1 was significantly lower (P < .05) in tumors responsive to octreotide treatment in vitro, whereas GRK2 and SSTR subtype 2 were significantly higher (P < .05). Likewise, β-arrestin 1 levels were inversely correlated with the in vivo response to acute octreotide test (P = .001), whereas GRK2 and SSTR subtype 2 expression were positively correlated (P < .05). In conclusion, for the first time, we characterized GRK2, β-arrestin 1, and β-arrestin 2 expression in a representative number of pituitary adenomas. β-Arrestin 1 and GRK2 seem to have a role in modulating GH secretion during SSA treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Arrestins / genetics
  • Arrestins / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 / genetics
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Octreotide / pharmacology*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives
  • Somatostatin / pharmacology
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Arrestin 1
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • ARRB1 protein, human
  • ARRB2 protein, human
  • Arrb1 protein, rat
  • Arrb2 protein, rat
  • Arrestins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • beta-Arrestin 1
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins
  • Somatostatin
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2
  • Octreotide