MicroRNAs in pituitary tumors

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 Nov 15:456:51-61. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.021. Epub 2017 Jan 13.

Abstract

Since the presence of microRNAs was first observed in normal pituitary, the majority of scientific publications addressing their role and the function of microRNAs in the pituitary have been based on pituitary tumor studies. In this review, we briefly describe the involvement of microRNAs in the synthesis of pituitary hormones and we present a comprehensive inventory of microRNA suppressors and inducers of pituitary tumors. Finally, we summarize the functional role of microRNAs in tumorigenesis, progression and aggressiveness of pituitary tumors, mechanisms contributing to the regulation (transcription factors, genomic modifications or epigenetic) or modulation (pharmacological treatment) of microRNAs in these tumors, and the interest of thoroughly studying the expression of miRNAs in body fluids.

Keywords: Pituitary tumors; microRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Carcinogenesis / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis / pathology
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Lactotrophs / metabolism
  • Lactotrophs / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Gland / physiopathology
  • Pituitary Hormones / genetics*
  • Pituitary Hormones / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Ribonuclease III / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Somatotrophs / metabolism
  • Somatotrophs / pathology
  • Thyrotrophs / metabolism
  • Thyrotrophs / pathology

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • DICER1 protein, human
  • Ribonuclease III
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases