Expression analysis of RET and the GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2 ligand complexes in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

  • Authors:
    • E Edström
    • T Frisk
    • F Farnebo
    • A Höög
    • M Bäckdahl
    • C Larsson
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 1, 2000     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.6.4.469
  • Pages: 469-543
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Abstract

Pheochromocytoma and its extra-adrenal counterpart paraganglioma are rare catecholamine producing tumors which usually occur sporadically but may also be a part of neuroendocrine tumor syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A). Activating mutations of the RET proto-oncogene which is the underlying cause of MEN 2A, is also seen in approximately 10% of sporadic pheochromocytomas. Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) have been shown to function as independent ligands to RET, binding in a complex with the membrane-bound receptors GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 respectively. Here we have investigated the mRNA expression of RET and its ligand complexes, GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2, in a panel of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas using mRNA in situ hybridization. RET expression was evident in normal adrenal medulla, and in 13/15 pheochromocytomas, including 5/5 MEN 2A associated tumors, but only in 1/10 paragangliomas. The frequent expression of RET in the pheochromocytomas suggest that this gene might be involved in the tumorigenesis. However, no expression of GDNF/GFRalpha-1 or NTN/GFRalpha-2 could be detected in any of the 25 tumors analyzed, suggesting that these ligand complexes are not important in the development of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma.

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Oct 2000
Volume 6 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Edström E, Frisk T, Farnebo F, Höög A, Bäckdahl M and Larsson C: Expression analysis of RET and the GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2 ligand complexes in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.. Int J Mol Med 6: 469-543, 2000.
APA
Edström, E., Frisk, T., Farnebo, F., Höög, A., Bäckdahl, M., & Larsson, C. (2000). Expression analysis of RET and the GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2 ligand complexes in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 6, 469-543. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.6.4.469
MLA
Edström, E., Frisk, T., Farnebo, F., Höög, A., Bäckdahl, M., Larsson, C."Expression analysis of RET and the GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2 ligand complexes in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 6.4 (2000): 469-543.
Chicago
Edström, E., Frisk, T., Farnebo, F., Höög, A., Bäckdahl, M., Larsson, C."Expression analysis of RET and the GDNF/GFRalpha-1 and NTN/GFRalpha-2 ligand complexes in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 6, no. 4 (2000): 469-543. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.6.4.469