Our cohort revealed only 3 novel heterozygous MEN1 variants including c.1846T>A p.(*616Argext*21), rs778272737:T>C, and rs972128957:C>T in 2 families, with patients diagnosed with Cushing disease, nonfunction al adenoma, and acromegaly, respectively.
To date, the number of molecular genetic factors unequivocally linked to pituitary tumours can be counted on the fingers of one hand: (1) GNAS1 activation in acromegaly; (2) the MENIN and p27Kip1 (CDKN1B) mutations associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1; (3) mutations of PRKA1RA with loss of 17q22-24 in Carney complex, and (4) aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein gene mutations in 15% of familial isolated pituitary adenomas and 50% of familial isolated acromegaly.
Clinical and molecular genetics of acromegaly: MEN1, Carney complex, McCune-Albright syndrome, familial acromegaly and genetic defects in sporadic tumors.
The data (1) underline the need for early investigation for acromegaly in patients with CNC; (2) provide a molecular hypothesis for its clinical progression; and (3) suggest a model for MAS- and, perhaps, MEN 1-related GH-producing tumor formation.