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Horm Metab Res 2015; 47(09): 656-661
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398560
Endocrine Care
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

DAX1 Overexpression in Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumors: A Synergic Role with SF1 in Tumorigenesis

G. R. V. de Sousa
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
I. C. Soares
2   Hospital do Câncer de Barretos, RO, Brazil
,
A. M. Faria
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
V. B. Domingues
3   Divisão de Anatomia Patologia, Laboratório de Patologia Hepática/LIM14 do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
A. Wakamatsu
3   Divisão de Anatomia Patologia, Laboratório de Patologia Hepática/LIM14 do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
A. M. Lerario
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
V. A. F. Alves
3   Divisão de Anatomia Patologia, Laboratório de Patologia Hepática/LIM14 do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
M. C. N. Zerbini
3   Divisão de Anatomia Patologia, Laboratório de Patologia Hepática/LIM14 do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
B. B. Mendonca
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
M. C. B. V. Fragoso
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
A. C. Latronico
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
M. Q. Almeida
1   Unidade de Suprarrenal & Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular (Laboratório de Investigação Medica, LIM 42) da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
4   Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 23 September 2014

accepted 18 December 2014

Publication Date:
18 May 2015 (online)

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Abstract

DAX1 transcription factor is a key determinant of adrenogonadal development, acting as a repressor of SF1 targets in steroidogenesis. It was recently demonstrated that DAX1 regulates pluripotency and differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells. In this study, we investigated DAX1 expression in adrenocortical tumors (ACTs) and correlated it with SF1 expression and clinical parameters. DAX1 and SF1 protein expression were assessed in 104 ACTs from 34 children (25 clinically benign and 9 malignant) and 70 adults (40 adenomas and 30 carcinomas). DAX1 gene expression was studied in 49 ACTs by quantitative real-time PCR. A strong DAX1 protein expression was demonstrated in 74% (25 out of 34) and 24% (17 out of 70) of pediatric and adult ACTs, respectively (χ2=10.1, p=0.002). In the pediatric group, ACTs with a strong DAX1 expression were diagnosed at earlier ages than ACTs with weak expression [median 1.2 (range, 0.5–4.5) vs. 2.2 (0.9–9.4), p=0.038]. DAX1 expression was not associated with functional status in ACTs. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between DAX1 and SF1 protein expression in both pediatric and adult ACTs (r=0.55 for each group separately; p<0.0001). In addition, DAX1 gene expression was significantly correlated with SF1 gene expression (p<0.0001, r=0.54). In conclusion, DAX1 strong protein expression was more frequent in pediatric than in adult ACTs. Additionally, DAX1 and SF1 expression positively correlated in ACTs, suggesting that these transcription factors might cooperate in adrenocortical tumorigenesis.

Key words

DAX1 - SF1 - expression - adrenocortical tumors
 

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