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Increased Expression of Angiogenic Genes in the Brains of Mouse Meg3-null Embryos

ABSTRACT: MEG3 (Maternally Expressed Gene 3) is a non-coding RNA that is highly expressed in the normal human brain and pituitary. Expression of MEG3 is lost in gonadotroph-derived clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas. Meg3 knock-out mice were generated to identify targets and potential functions of this gene in embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Gene expression profiles were compared in the brains of Meg3-null embryos and wild-type litter-mate controls using microarray analysis. Microarray data were analyzed with GeneSifter which uses Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) classifications to identify signaling cascades and functional categories of interest within the data set. Differences were found in signaling pathways and ontologies related to angiogenesis between wild-type and knock-out embryos. Quantitative RT-PCR and histological staining showed increased expression of some VEGF pathway genes and increased cortical microvessel density in the knock-out embryos. These results are consistent with reported increases in VEGF signaling observed in human clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas. In conclusion, Meg3 may play an important role in control of vascularization in the brain and may function as a tumor suppressor by preventing angiogenesis.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE18742 | GEO | 2010/12/17

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA121655

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Gonadotroph adenomas comprise 15M-bM-^@M-^S40 % of all pituitary tumors, are usually non-functioning and are often large and invasive at presentation. Surgery is the first-choice treatment, but complete resection is not always achieved, leading to high recurrence rates. As gonadotroph adenomas poorly respond to conventional pharmacological therapies, novel treatment strategies are needed. Their identification has been hampered by our incomplete understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors. Recently, we demM-BM-,onstrated that MENX-affected rats develop gonadotroph adenomas closely resembling their human counterparts. To discover new genes/pathways involved in gonadotroph cells tumorigenesis, we performed transcriptome profiling of rat tumors versus normal pituitary. Adenomas showed overrepM-BM-,resentation of genes involved in cell cycle, development, cell differentiation/proliferation, and lipid metabolism. BioinforM-BM-,matic analysis identified downstream targets of the transcripM-BM-,tion factor SF-1 as being up-regulated in rat (and human) adenomas. Meta-analyses demonstrated remarkable similariM-BM-,ties between gonadotroph adenomas in rats and humans, and highlighted common dysregulated genes, several of which were not previously implicated in pituitary tumorigenesis. Two such genes, CYP11A1 and NUSAP1, were analyzed in 39 human gonadotroph adenomas by qRT-PCR and found to be up-regulated in 77 and 95 % of cases, respectively. Immunohistochemistry detected high P450scc (encoded by CYP11A1) and NuSAP expression in 18 human gonadoM-BM-,troph tumors. In vitro studies demonstrated for the first time that Cyp11a1 is a target of SF-1 in gonadotroph cells and promotes proliferation/survival of rat pituitary adenoma priM-BM-,mary cells and cell lines. Our studies reveal clues about the molecular mechanisms driving rat and human gonadotroph adenomas development, and may help identify previously unexplored biomarkers for clinical use. We compared five control animals and 16 homozygous mutants (p27Kip1/Cdknb1)

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Increased Expression of Angiogenic Genes in the Brains of Mouse Meg3-null Embryos

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