Function and disease of the pituitary gland have long been at the center of research interest. Based on a recent meeting held at Iguazu Falls, Argentina, this volume of Frontiers of Hormone Research highlights scientifically exciting and clinically relevant areas in this fast-developing field. Renowned specialists and experts from Latin and North America, Europe and Australia discuss in their contributions various aspects of tumorigenesis, prolactinomas, hormone regulation and action, growth hormone and acromegaly, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as Cushing disease.
A fascinating update on selected issues in basic and clinical research, this book will be of great interest to both neuroendocrinologists and endocrinologists working on pituitary diseases and related issues.
32 - 49: Genesis of Prolactinomas: Studies Using Estrogen-Treated Animals
-
Published:2006
-
Book Series: Frontiers of Hormone Research
Dipak K. Sarkar, 2006. "Genesis of Prolactinomas: Studies Using Estrogen-Treated Animals", Pituitary Today: Molecular, Physiological and Clinical Aspects, M. Guitelman, E. Arzt, M. Bronstein
Download citation file:
Abstract
Prolactin-secreting adenomas (prolactinomas) are the most prevalent form of pituitarytumors in humans. Our knowledge of the formation of these tumors is limited. Experimentalwork in animal has uncovered that estradiol exposure leads to prolactinoma formation viaorchestrated events involving dopamine D2 receptors, transforming growth factor-Β (TGF-Β)isoforms and their receptors, as well as factors secondary to TGF-β action. Additionally,these studies determined that TGF-Β and b-FGF interact to facilitate the communicationbetween lactotropes and folliculo-stellate cells that is necessary for the mitogenic action ofestradiol. The downstream signaling that governs lactotropic cell proliferation involves activationof the MAP kinase p44/42-dependent pathway.
