The aim of this study was to evaluate ACTHR expression in common adrenal adenomas and investigate its influence on adrenal tumorigenesis using adrenocortical H295R cells.
Of these, three genes (CYP11B2, MC2R, and HPX) may be related to aldosterone production, and five genes (PRRX1, RAB38, FAP, GCNT2, and ASB4) are potentially involved in tumorigenesis.
It has been already excluded that activating mutations of the ACTH receptor or of G protein stimulator alpha sub-units, affecting cAMP pathway, is involved in the tumorigenesis.
Despite an extensive search, no activating ACTH-receptor mutations have been found in adrenal tumors,excluding the ACTH receptor as a relevant oncogene in adrenal tumorigenesis.
Despite an extensive search, no activating ACTH receptor mutations have been found in adrenal tumors, excluding the ACTH receptor as a relevant oncogene for adrenal tumorigenesis.
We conclude that LOH of the ACTH-R gene is possibly involved in adrenal tumorigenesis, contributing to cellular dedifferentiation in adenomas and carcinomas.