NR5A1

Gene Summary

Gene:NR5A1; nuclear receptor subfamily 5 group A member 1
Aliases: ELP, SF1, FTZ1, POF7, SF-1, AD4BP, FTZF1, SPGF8, SRXX4, SRXY3, hSF-1
Location:9q33.3
Summary:The protein encoded by this gene is a transcriptional activator involved in sex determination. The encoded protein binds DNA as a monomer. Defects in this gene are a cause of XY sex reversal with or without adrenal failure as well as adrenocortical insufficiency without ovarian defect. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Databases:OMIM, HGNC, Ensembl, GeneCard, Gene
Protein:steroidogenic factor 1
Source:NCBIAccessed: 31 August, 2019

Ontology:

What does this gene/protein do?
Show (32)

Cancer Overview

Research Indicators

Publications Per Year (1994-2019)
Graph generated 31 August 2019 using data from PubMed using criteria.

Literature Analysis

Mouse over the terms for more detail; many indicate links which you can click for dedicated pages about the topic.

  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Aromatase
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Infant
  • RTPCR
  • Promoter Regions
  • Apoptosis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Leydig Cell Tumor
  • HeLa Cells
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Binding Sites
  • Enzymologic Gene Expression Regulation
  • Steroids
  • Adrenal Glands
  • Transfection
  • DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Base Sequence
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • beta Catenin
  • Cancer Gene Expression Regulation
  • Messenger RNA
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors
  • Mutation
  • Chromosome 9
  • Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors
  • Adrenal Cortex
  • Adrenocortical Cancer
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Childhood Cancer
  • Adrenocortical Adenoma
  • Adrenocortical Carcinoma
  • Young Adult
Tag cloud generated 31 August, 2019 using data from PubMed, MeSH and CancerIndex

Specific Cancers (4)

Data table showing topics related to specific cancers and associated disorders. Scope includes mutations and abnormal protein expression.

Note: list is not exhaustive. Number of papers are based on searches of PubMed (click on topic title for arbitrary criteria used).

Latest Publications: NR5A1 (cancer-related)

Lanciotti L, Cofini M, Leonardi A, et al.
Different Clinical Presentations and Management in Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS).
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(7) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder resulting from maternally inherited or de novo mutations involving the androgen receptor gene, situated in the Xq11-q12 region. The diagnosis is based on the presence of female external genitalia in a 46, XY human individual, with normally developed but undescended testes and complete unresponsiveness of target tissues to androgens. Subsequently, pelvic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be helpful in confirming the absence of Mullerian structures, revealing the presence of a blind-ending vagina and identifying testes. CAIS management still represents a unique challenge throughout childhood and adolescence, particularly regarding timing of gonadectomy, type of hormonal therapy, and psychological concerns. Indeed this condition is associated with an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT), although TGCT results less frequently than in other disorders of sex development (DSD). Furthermore, the majority of detected tumoral lesions are non-invasive and with a low probability of progression into aggressive forms. Therefore, histological, epidemiological, and prognostic features of testicular cancer in CAIS allow postponing of the gonadectomy until after pubertal age in order to guarantee the initial spontaneous pubertal development and avoid the necessity of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) induction. However, HRT is necessary after gonadectomy in order to prevent symptoms of hypoestrogenism and to maintain secondary sexual features. This article presents differential clinical presentations and management in patients with CAIS to emphasize the continued importance of standardizing the clinical and surgical approach to this disorder.

Sapio MR, Iadarola MJ, LaPaglia DM, et al.
Haploinsufficiency of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene is associated with reduced pain sensitivity.
Pain. 2019; 160(5):1070-1081 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Rare pain-insensitive individuals offer unique insights into how pain circuits function and have led to the development of new strategies for pain control. We investigated pain sensitivity in humans with WAGR (Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomaly, and range of intellectual disabilities) syndrome, who have variably sized heterozygous deletion of the 11p13 region. The deletion region can be inclusive or exclusive of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, a crucial trophic factor for nociceptive afferents. Nociceptive responses assessed by quantitative sensory testing demonstrated reduced pain sensitivity only in the WAGR subjects whose deletion boundaries included the BDNF gene. Corresponding behavioral assessments were made in heterozygous Bdnf knockout rats to examine the specific role of Bdnf. These analogous experiments revealed impairment of Aδ- and C-fiber-mediated heat nociception, determined by acute nociceptive thermal stimuli, and in aversive behaviors evoked when the rats were placed on a hot plate. Similar results were obtained for C-fiber-mediated cold responses and cold avoidance on a cold-plate device. Together, these results suggested a blunted responsiveness to aversive stimuli. Our parallel observations in humans and rats show that hemizygous deletion of the BDNF gene reduces pain sensitivity and establishes BDNF as a determinant of nociceptive sensitivity.

Meinsohn MC, Smith OE, Bertolin K, Murphy BD
The Orphan Nuclear Receptors Steroidogenic Factor-1 and Liver Receptor Homolog-1: Structure, Regulation, and Essential Roles in Mammalian Reproduction.
Physiol Rev. 2019; 99(2):1249-1279 [PubMed] Related Publications
Nuclear receptors are intracellular proteins that act as transcription factors. Proteins with classic nuclear receptor domain structure lacking identified signaling ligands are designated orphan nuclear receptors. Two of these, steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1, also known as SF-1) and liver receptor homolog-1 (NR5A2, also known as LRH-1), bind to the same DNA sequences, with different and nonoverlapping effects on targets. Endogenous regulation of both is achieved predominantly by cofactor interactions. SF-1 is expressed primarily in steroidogenic tissues, LRH-1 in tissues of endodermal origin and the gonads. Both receptors modulate cholesterol homeostasis, steroidogenesis, tissue-specific cell proliferation, and stem cell pluripotency. LRH-1 is essential for development beyond gastrulation and SF-1 for genesis of the adrenal, sexual differentiation, and Leydig cell function. Ovary-specific depletion of SF-1 disrupts follicle development, while LRH-1 depletion prevents ovulation, cumulus expansion, and luteinization. Uterine depletion of LRH-1 compromises decidualization and pregnancy. In humans, SF-1 is present in endometriotic tissue, where it regulates estrogen synthesis. SF-1 is underexpressed in ovarian cancer cells and overexpressed in Leydig cell tumors. In breast cancer cells, proliferation, migration and invasion, and chemotherapy resistance are regulated by LRH-1. In conclusion, the NR5A orphan nuclear receptors are nonredundant factors that are crucial regulators of a panoply of biological processes, across multiple reproductive tissues.

Kurnaz E, Çetinkaya S, Savaş-Erdeve Ş, Aycan Z
Detection of the SRY gene in patients with Turner Syndrome.
J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2019; 48(4):265-267 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: If turner syndrome (TS) patients have a Y-containing cell line, they have an increased risk for gonadal tumors. TS patients are therefore screened for Y-chromosome and Y-specific sequences, such as SRY, DYZ1, DYZ3, DYS132, ZFY, TSPY, etc. In addition, since the dysgenetic gonad may include the stroma and granulosa/sertoli cells, which produce androgens, virilization can seen in girls with Y-chromosomal material. Prophylactic gonadectomy may therefore be required for optimal management in such patients. Our aim is to discuss our observations in the follow-up of TS patients.
METHODS: SRY was investigated in 71 out of 85 TS cases (aged 3 months-27 years) between 2005 and 2017. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used until 2014, after which SRY analysis was performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. SRY analysis was performed a second time using PCR in 25 cases previously investigated with FISH.
RESULTS: We identified no positive cases. No pathological findings in terms of virilization, clitoromegaly, or posterior labial adhesions were also determined in our TS cases. Further studies were not required since no pathological findings also were detected at ultrasonography.
CONCLUSION: If Y-chromosome material has not been detected by conventional cytogenetic methods in TS patients with masculine features, further techniques should be applied to prevent the risk of invasive tumors, such as multiple sequences beside the Y centromere. This approach will prevent overtreatment.

Mie M, Matsumoto R, Mashimo Y, et al.
Development of drug-loaded protein nanoparticles displaying enzymatically-conjugated DNA aptamers for cancer cell targeting.
Mol Biol Rep. 2019; 46(1):261-269 [PubMed] Related Publications
Modification of protein-based drug carriers with tumor-targeting properties is an important area of research in the field of anticancer drug delivery. To this end, we developed nanoparticles comprised of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) with fused poly-aspartic acid chains (ELP-D) displaying DNA aptamers. DNA aptamers were enzymatically conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles via genetic incorporation of Gene A* protein into the sequence of the ELP-D fusion protein. Gene A* protein, derived from bacteriophage ϕX174, can form covalent complexes with single-stranded DNA via the latter's recognition sequence. Gene A* protein-displaying nanoparticles exhibited the ability to deliver the anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX), whilst retaining activity of the conjugated Gene A* protein. PTX-loaded protein nanoparticles displaying DNA aptamers known to bind to the MUC1 tumor marker resulted in increased cytotoxicity with MCF-7 breast cancer cells compared to PTX-loaded protein nanoparticles without the DNA aptamer modification.

Libé R
Clinical and molecular prognostic factors in adrenocortical carcinoma.
Minerva Endocrinol. 2019; 44(1):58-69 [PubMed] Related Publications
INTRODUCTION: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer, with an incidence less than 0.7-1.5 per 1 million people per year, with a poor prognosis. The overall survival (OS) depends on the ENSAT stage: in particular in metastatic ACC the OS varies from 10 to 20 months, with a 5-year survival around 10%. ACC has a different behavior, probably due to a different biology. For this reason, a careful prognostic classification is mandatory, in order to stratify the patients and propose a specific management.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Prognostic factors can be divides in three groups: clinical factors (tumor stage, age, hormone-related symptoms), pathological factors (Weiss Score, mitotic count, Ki-67, SF-1 and AVA2, P53, beta-catenin immunohistochemistry, resection status), molecular factors (chromosomal aberrations, methylation profile, altered gene expression and miRNA expression, gene mutations).
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The best way to stratify ACC patients and propose the best therapeutic option is to combine clinical, pathological and molecular factors.
CONCLUSIONS: Individualizing patients' prognosis and tumor biology appears as a necessary step for personalized medicine. In addition to tumor stage and tumor grade, the genomic classification may precise the risk stratification and thus help defining therapeutic strategy.

Yi GZ, Xiang W, Feng WY, et al.
Identification of Key Candidate Proteins and Pathways Associated with Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma Based on Subcellular Proteomics and Bioinformatical Analysis.
Biomed Res Int. 2018; 2018:5238760 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
TMZ resistance remains one of the main reasons why treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) fails. In order to investigate the underlying proteins and pathways associated with TMZ resistance, we conducted a cytoplasmic proteome research of U87 cells treated with TMZ for 1 week, followed by differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) screening, KEGG pathway analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and validation of key candidate proteins in TCGA dataset. A total of 161 DEPs including 65 upregulated proteins and 96 downregulated proteins were identified. Upregulated DEPs were mainly related to regulation in actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, and phagosome and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways which were consistent with our previous studies. Further, the most significant module consisted of 28 downregulated proteins that were filtered from the PPI network, and 9 proteins (DHX9, HNRNPR, RPL3, HNRNPA3, SF1, DDX5, EIF5B, BTF3, and RPL8) among them were identified as the key candidate proteins, which were significantly associated with prognosis of GBM patients and mainly involved in ribosome and spliceosome pathway. Taking the above into consideration, we firstly identified candidate proteins and pathways associated with TMZ resistance in GBM using proteomics and bioinformatic analysis, and these proteins could be potential biomarkers for prevention or prediction of TMZ resistance in the future.

Eisfeld AK, Kohlschmidt J, Mrózek K, et al.
Mutation patterns identify adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia aged 60 years or older who respond favorably to standard chemotherapy: an analysis of Alliance studies.
Leukemia. 2018; 32(6):1338-1348 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Thus far, only 5-15% of AML patients aged ≥60 years are cured with chemotherapy. Identification of patients who are less (more) likely to respond to standard chemotherapy might enable early risk stratification toward alternative treatment regimens. We used a next-generation sequencing panel of 80 cancer- and/or leukemia-associated genes to profile molecularly 423 older patients with de novo AML. Using variables identified in multivariable models and co-occurring mutations in NPM1-mutated AML, we classified the patients into good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk groups for complete remission (CR) attainment, disease-free (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Whereas 81% of good-risk patients (comprising NPM1-mutated patients harboring mutations in chromatin remodeling, cohesin complex, methylation-related, spliceosome, and/or RAS pathway genes, FLT3-TKD, and/or patients without FLT3-ITD) achieved a CR, only 32% of poor-risk patients (with U2AF1, WT1 mutations and/or complex karyotype) did. Intermediate-risk patients had a 50% CR rate. Similarly, using NPM1 co-mutation patterns and SF1 mutation status, we identified patients with favorable DFS and OS 3-year rates of 46% and 45%, respectively. Patients with adverse genetic features had DFS and OS rates of only 2% and 4%. We show that application of our proposed criteria may refine the 2017 European LeukemiaNet classification for older patients treated with chemotherapy.

Das CK, Linder B, Bonn F, et al.
BAG3 Overexpression and Cytoprotective Autophagy Mediate Apoptosis Resistance in Chemoresistant Breast Cancer Cells.
Neoplasia. 2018; 20(3):263-279 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Target-specific treatment modalities are currently not available for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and acquired chemotherapy resistance is a primary obstacle for the treatment of these tumors. Here we employed derivatives of BT-549 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell lines that were adapted to grow in the presence of either 5-Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin or Docetaxel in an aim to identify molecular pathways involved in the adaptation to drug-induced cell killing. All six drug-adapted BT-549 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines displayed cross resistance to chemotherapy and decreased apoptosis sensitivity. Expression of the anti-apoptotic co-chaperone BAG3 was notably enhanced in two thirds (4/6) of the six resistant lines simultaneously with higher expression of HSP70 in comparison to parental controls. Doxorubicin-resistant BT-549 (BT-549

Mazen I, Hassan H, Kamel A, et al.
WT1 Gene Mutation, p.R462W, in a 46,XY DSD Patient from Egypt with Gonadoblastoma and Review of the Literature.
Sex Dev. 2017; 11(5-6):280-283 [PubMed] Related Publications
WT1 gene mutations have been described in 46,XY patients with ambiguous genitalia or complete gonadal dysgenesis with or without Wilms' tumor, nephropathy, gonadoblastoma, and other defects, e.g., cryptorchidism or hypospadias. p.R462W is a hot spot mutation in exon 9 and is the most common mutation in patients with Denys-Drash syndrome. However, in this study we report an Egyptian patient with a novel phenotype carrying the p.R462W mutation. We also review the heterogeneity of phenotypes of previously reported patients with the p.R462W (previously referred to as Arg394Trp) mutation.

Kusumoto H, Hirohashi Y, Nishizawa S, et al.
Cellular stress induces cancer stem-like cells through expression of DNAJB8 by activation of heat shock factor 1.
Cancer Sci. 2018; 109(3):741-750 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
In a previous study, we found that DNAJB8, a heat shock protein (HSP) 40 family member is expressed in kidney cancer stem-like cells (CSC)/cancer-initiating cells (CIC) and that it has a role in the maintenance of kidney CSC/CIC. Heat shock factor (HSF) 1 is a key transcription factor for responses to stress including heat shock, and it induces HSP family expression through activation by phosphorylation. In the present study, we therefore examined whether heat shock (HS) induces CSC/CIC. We treated the human kidney cancer cell line ACHN with HS, and found that HS increased side population (SP) cells. Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR showed that HS increased the expression of DNAJB8 and SOX2. Gene knockdown experiments using siRNAs showed that the increase in SOX2 expression and SP cell ratio depends on DNAJB8 and that the increase in DNAJB8 and SOX2 depend on HSF1. Furthermore, treatment with a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, temsirolimus, decreased the expression of DNAJB8 and SOX2 and the ratio of SP cells. Taken together, the results indicate that heat shock induces DNAJB8 by activation of HSF1 and induces cancer stem-like cells.

Wang D, Horton JR, Zheng Y, et al.
Role for first zinc finger of WT1 in DNA sequence specificity: Denys-Drash syndrome-associated WT1 mutant in ZF1 enhances affinity for a subset of WT1 binding sites.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2018; 46(8):3864-3877 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Wilms tumor protein (WT1) is a Cys2-His2 zinc-finger transcription factor vital for embryonic development of the genitourinary system. The protein contains a C-terminal DNA binding domain with four tandem zinc-fingers (ZF1-4). An alternative splicing of Wt1 can add three additional amino acids-lysine (K), threonine (T) and serine (S)-between ZF3 and ZF4. In the -KTS isoform, ZF2-4 determine the sequence-specificity of DNA binding, whereas the function of ZF1 remains elusive. Three X-ray structures are described here for wild-type -KTS isoform ZF1-4 in complex with its cognate DNA sequence. We observed four unique ZF1 conformations. First, like ZF2-4, ZF1 can be positioned continuously in the DNA major groove forming a 'near-cognate' complex. Second, while ZF2-4 make base-specific interactions with one DNA molecule, ZF1 can interact with a second DNA molecule (or, presumably, two regions of the same DNA molecule). Third, ZF1 can intercalate at the joint of two tail-to-head DNA molecules. If such intercalation occurs on a continuous DNA molecule, it would kink the DNA at the ZF1 binding site. Fourth, two ZF1 units can dimerize. Furthermore, we examined a Denys-Drash syndrome-associated ZF1 mutation (methionine at position 342 is replaced by arginine). This mutation enhances WT1 affinity for a guanine base. X-ray crystallography of the mutant in complex with its preferred sequence revealed the interactions responsible for this affinity change. These results provide insight into the mechanisms of action of WT1, and clarify the fact that ZF1 plays a role in determining sequence specificity of this critical transcription factor.

Rojek A, Obara-Moszynska M, Kolesinska Z, et al.
Molecular Detection and Incidence of Y Chromosomal Material in Patients with Turner Syndrome.
Sex Dev. 2017; 11(5-6):254-261 [PubMed] Related Publications
The presence of a Y chromosome in patients with Turner syndrome (TS) is a risk factor for the development of gonadal tumor and/or virilization. With conventional cytogenetic analysis, some cells containing a Y chromosome can be missed. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and incidence of Y chromosome-derived material in TS patients using PCR and the markers SRY, DYZ1, DYZ3, DYS132, ZFY, and TSPY. Fifty-five TS patients (aged 5.5-26.75 years) were analyzed. A total of 17/55 (30.9%) were Y-positive, but only 7/17 had a Y chromosome in their karyotype and underwent gonadectomy. In 2 of these patients (28.6%), histopathologic examination revealed gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma, respectively. In 8 patients in the studied group (8/55; 14.5%), the TSPY gene was detected, and the SRY gene (or a fragment) was identified in 9(3)/55 patients. No coding region mutations were observed in these SRY-positive patients. In conclusion, we have shown a high prevalence of Y chromosomal material in TS. Y markers were also observed in patients who had no Y chromosome in their karyotype, and PCR is very precise in detecting the presence of genetic material from the Y chromosome. Further follow-up of these Y-positive TS patients is mandatory.

Mukerji B, Balshan E, Haderer R, et al.
Adolescent Female With Turner's Syndrome and 46,X,der(Y) del(Y)(p11.2)del(q11.2) Karyotype With Gonadoblastoma and Dysgerminoma.
Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2017 Nov-Dec; 20(6):506-510 [PubMed] Related Publications
Gonadal dysgenesis patients with Y chromosomal material are subject to increased risk for germ cell tumors. We report a case of an adolescent female presenting with Turner-like syndrome with primary amenorrhea and Tanner stage 1 breast development. Karyotype showed one X chromosome and a minute pericentromeric fragment of Y chromosome without any functional Y genes in all the cells, unlike a mosaic pattern, represented as 46,X,der(Y)del(Y)(p11.2)del(q11.2). Laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy was performed due to presence of Y chromosome material and histopathology confirmed gonadoblastoma with a focus of dysgerminoma of the right ovary. A robotic-assisted surgical staging for dysgerminoma was performed which was confirmed to be negative for malignancy. This points at the putative genes for gonadoblastoma to be present around the centromere of the Y chromosome.

Fang Z, Zhao J, Xie W, et al.
LncRNA UCA1 promotes proliferation and cisplatin resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma by sunppressing miR-184 expression.
Cancer Med. 2017; 6(12):2897-2908 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Chemotherapy resistance has become the main obstacle for the effective treatment of human cancers. Long non-coding RNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) is generally regarded as an oncogene in some cancers. However, the function and molecular mechanism of UCA1 implicated in cisplatin (CDDP) chemoresistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still not fully established. UCA1 expression in tumor tissues and cells was tested by qRT-PCR. MTT, flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity analysis were explored to evaluate the CDDP sensitivity in OSCC cells. Western blot analysis was used to measure BCL2, Bax and SF1 protein expression. Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to investigate the molecular relationship between UCA1, miR-184, and SF1. Nude mice model was used to confirm the functional role of UCA1 in CDDP resistance in vivo. UCA1 expression was upregulated in OSCC tissues, cell lines, and CDDP resistant OSCC cells. Function analysis revealed that UCA1 facilitated proliferation, enhanced CDDP chemoresistance, and suppressed apoptosis in OSCC cells. Mechanisms investigation indicated that UCA1 could interact with miR-184 to repress its expression. Rescue experiments suggested that downregulation of miR-184 partly reversed the tumor suppression effect and CDDP chemosensitivity of UCA1 knockdown in CDDP-resistant OSCC cells. Moreover, UCA1 could perform as a miR-184 sponge to modulate SF1 expression. The OSCC nude mice model experiments demonstrated that depletion of UCA1 further boosted CDDP-mediated repression effect on tumor growth. UCA1 accelerated proliferation, increased CDDP chemoresistance and restrained apoptosis partly through modulating SF1 via sponging miR-184 in OSCC cells, suggesting that targeting UCA1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for OSCC patients.

Cools M, Wolffenbuttel KP, Hersmus R, et al.
Malignant testicular germ cell tumors in postpubertal individuals with androgen insensitivity: prevalence, pathology and relevance of single nucleotide polymorphism-based susceptibility profiling.
Hum Reprod. 2017; 32(12):2561-2573 [PubMed] Related Publications
STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of malignant testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and its precursors, (pre-) germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), in late teenagers and adults who have androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and the impact of an individual's genetic susceptibility to development of TGCT?
SUMMARY ANSWER: No GCNIS or TGCT was diagnosed, but pre-GCNIS was identified in 14 and 10% of complete and partial AIS patients, respectively, and was associated with a higher genetic susceptibility score (GSS), with special attention for KITLG (rs995030) and ATFZIP (rs2900333).
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Many adult women with AIS decline prophylactic gonadectomy, while data regarding the incidence, pathophysiology and outcomes of TGCT in postpubertal individuals with AIS are lacking. The relevance of genetic factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in predisposing AIS individuals to TGCT is unknown.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This multicenter collaborative study on prophylactically removed gonadal tissue was conducted in a pathology lab specialized in germ cell tumor biology.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Material from 52 postpubertal individuals with molecularly confirmed AIS (97 gonadal samples) was included; the median age at surgery was 17.5 (14-54) years. Immunohistochemical studies and high-throughput profiling of 14 TGCT-associated SNPs were performed. The main outcome measures were the prevalence of pre-GCNIS, GCNIS and TGCT, and its correlation with a GSS, developed based on the results of recent genome-wide association studies.
MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE: The earliest recognizable change preceding GCNIS, referred to as pre-GCNIS, was present in 14% of individuals with complete and 10% of those with partial AIS at a median age of 16 years. No GCNIS or invasive TGCT were found. The median GSS was significantly greater for those with, compared to those without, pre-GCNIS (P = 0.01), with an overlap between groups. Our data suggest important roles for risk alleles G at KITLG (rs995030) and C at ATFZIP (rs2900333), among the 14 studied TGCT-associated SNPs.
LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A.
LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: A limited number of cases were included.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our data suggest that the prevalence of pre-GCNIS in individuals with AIS beyond puberty is around 15%. Genetic susceptibility likely contributes to pre-GCNIS development in AIS but factors related to malignant progression remain unclear. Although data in older patients remain scarce, malignant progression appears to be a rare event, although the natural history of the premalignant lesion remains unknown. Therefore, the practice of routine prophylactic gonadectomy in adults with AIS appears questionable and the patient's preference, after having been fully informed, should be decisive in this matter.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by research grants from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (to M.C.), the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq G0D6713N) (to B.B.M. and M.C.) and the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), granted by Novo Nordisk AB (to J.K.). There are no competing interests.

Takada Y, Sakai Y, Matsushita Y, et al.
Sustained endocrine profiles of a girl with WAGR syndrome.
BMC Med Genet. 2017; 18(1):117 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies and mental retardation (WAGR) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by heterozygous deletions of WT1 and PAX6 at chromosome 11p13. Deletion of BDNF is known eto be associated with hyperphagia and obesity in both humans and animal models; however, neuroendocrine and epigenetic profiles of individuals with WAGR syndrome remain to be determined.
CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 5-year-old girl with the typical phenotype of WAGR syndrome. She showed profound delays in physical growth, motor and cognitive development without signs of obesity. Array comparative genome hybridization (CGH) revealed that she carried a 14.4 Mb deletion at 11p14.3p12, encompassing the WT1, PAX6 and BDNF genes. She experienced recurrent hypoglycemic episodes at 5 years of age. Insulin tolerance and hormonal loading tests showed normal hypothalamic responses to the hypoglycemic condition and other stimulations. Methylation analysis for freshly prepared DNA from peripheral lymphocytes using the pyro-sequencing-based system showed normal patterns of methylation at known imprinting control regions.
CONCLUSIONS: Children with WAGR syndrome may manifest profound delay in postnatal growth through unknown mechanisms. Epigenetic factors and growth-associated genes in WAGR syndrome remain to be characterized.

Roth LM, Cheng L
Classical gonadoblastoma: its relationship to the 'dissecting' variant and undifferentiated gonadal tissue.
Histopathology. 2018; 72(4):545-555 [PubMed] Related Publications
Classical gonadoblastoma occurs almost entirely in the dysgenetic gonads of an individual who has a disorder of sex development. Approximately 40% of such neoplasms are bilateral. Almost all gonadoblastomas occur in patients who have a Y chromosome or part thereof; testis-specific protein Y-encoded 1 (TSPY1) is the putative gene. If a gonad in a patient who has a disorder of sex development contains germ cells with delayed maturation, and also harbours the TSPY1 gene, the cells can undergo transformation to classical gonadoblastoma. The latter consists of rounded islands composed of germ cells, sex cord elements and hyaline basement membrane material surrounded by a variably cellular gonadal stroma that sometimes contains steroid cells. Classical gonadoblastoma can be interpreted as a non-invasive neoplasm that is the precursor of germinoma and, indirectly, other more aggressive germ cell neoplasms. Undifferentiated gonadal tissue is the precursor of classical gonadoblastoma and contains germ cells with delayed maturation that express octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4); however, other germ cells show normal maturation and express TSPY1. If all germ cells in a patient with undifferentiated gonadal tissue involute, the result is a secondary streak. Undifferentiated gonadal tissue is a non-neoplastic condition that should be distinguished clearly from 'dissecting gonadoblastoma', a neoplasm derived from classical gonadoblastoma that is the precursor of some germinomas. 'Dissecting gonadoblastoma' is a variant of classical gonadoblastoma that has unusual growth patterns and contains both sex cord and germ cell elements. Clonal expansion of germ cells is a characteristic of the late stage of 'dissecting gonadoblastoma'.

Justice ED, Barnum SJ, Kidd T
The WAGR syndrome gene PRRG4 is a functional homologue of the commissureless axon guidance gene.
PLoS Genet. 2017; 13(8):e1006865 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
WAGR syndrome is characterized by Wilm's tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities and intellectual disabilities. WAGR is caused by a chromosomal deletion that includes the PAX6, WT1 and PRRG4 genes. PRRG4 is proposed to contribute to the autistic symptoms of WAGR syndrome, but the molecular function of PRRG4 genes remains unknown. The Drosophila commissureless (comm) gene encodes a short transmembrane protein characterized by PY motifs, features that are shared by the PRRG4 protein. Comm intercepts the Robo axon guidance receptor in the ER/Golgi and targets Robo for degradation, allowing commissural axons to cross the CNS midline. Expression of human Robo1 in the fly CNS increases midline crossing and this was enhanced by co-expression of PRRG4, but not CYYR, Shisa or the yeast Rcr genes. In cell culture experiments, PRRG4 could re-localize hRobo1 from the cell surface, suggesting that PRRG4 is a functional homologue of Comm. Comm is required for axon guidance and synapse formation in the fly, so PRRG4 could contribute to the autistic symptoms of WAGR by disturbing either of these processes in the developing human brain.

Rajesh Y, Biswas A, Mandal M
Glioma progression through the prism of heat shock protein mediated extracellular matrix remodeling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
Exp Cell Res. 2017; 359(2):299-311 [PubMed] Related Publications
Glial tumor is one of the intrinsic brain tumors with high migratory and infiltrative potential. This essentially contributes to the overall poor prognosis by circumvention of conventional treatment regimen in glioma. The underlying mechanism in gliomagenesis is bestowed by two processes- Extracellular matrix (ECM) Remodeling and Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Heat Shock Family of proteins (HSPs), commonly known as "molecular chaperons" are documented to be upregulated in glioma. A positive correlation also exists between elevated expression of HSPs and invasive capacity of glial tumor. HSPs overexpression leads to mutational changes in glioma, which ultimately drive cells towards EMT, ECM modification, malignancy and invasion. Differential expression of HSPs - a factor providing cytoprotection to glioma cells, also contributes towards its radioresistance /chemoresistance. Various evidences also display upregulation of EMT and ECM markers by various heat shock inducing proteins e.g. HSF-1. The aim of this review is to study in detail the role of HSPs in EMT and ECM leading to radioresistance/chemoresistance of glioma cells. The existing treatment regimen for glioma could be enhanced by targeting HSPs through immunotherapy, miRNA and exosome mediated strategies. This could be envisaged by better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying glial tumorigenesis in relation to EMT and ECM remodeling under HSPs influence. Our review might showcase fresh potential for the development of next generation therapeutics for effective glioma management.

Bielińska E, Matiakowska K, Haus O
Heterogeneity of human WT1 gene.
Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2017; 71(0):595-601 [PubMed] Related Publications
The WT1 gene, characterized by an extremely complex structure, is located on chromosome 11. It is involved in cell growth and differentiation, and has a strong impact on consecutive stages of the functioning of the body. The WT1 gene may undergo many different mutations, as well as may be overexpressed without a mutation. The molecular basis of diseases such as Wilms tumor, WAGR, Denys-Drash or Frasier syndromes are congenital WT1 mutations, while somatic mutations of this gene occur in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and also in some other blood neoplasms, as acute lymphoblood leukemia. Increased expression of this gene without its mutation is observed in leukemias and solid tumors. The WT1 may function both as a tumor suppressor gene and as an oncogene. The diversity of WT1 changes causes many controversies, therefore investigations are still carried out to determine the function of this gene, its interaction with other molecules and its prognostic significance in various diseases.

Alge JL, Wenderfer SE, Hicks J, et al.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome as the presenting manifestation of WT1 mutation and Denys-Drash syndrome: a case report.
BMC Nephrol. 2017; 18(1):243 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur as a primary process due to mutations in complement genes or secondary to another underlying disease. HUS sometimes occurs in the setting of glomerular diseases, and it has been described in association with Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS), which is characterized by the triad of abnormal genitourinary development; a pathognomonic glomerulopathy, diffuse mesangial sclerosis; and the development of Wilms tumor.
CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 46, XX female infant who presented with HUS and biopsy-proven thrombotic microangiopathy. Next generation sequencing of genes with known mutations causative of atypical HUS found that she was homozygous for the Complement Factor H H3 haplotype and heterozygous for a variant of unknown significance in the DGKE gene. Whole exome sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous WT1 c.1384C > T; p.R394W mutation, which is classically associated with Denys-Drash syndrome (DDS). At the time of bilateral nephrectomy five months after her initial biopsy, she had diffuse mesangial sclerosis, typical of Denys-Drash syndrome, without evidence of thrombotic microangiopathy.
CONCLUSION: This unique case highlights HUS as a rare but important manifestation of WT1 mutation and provides new insight into the genetics underlying this association.

Hashimoto K, Horibe YU, Ezaki J, et al.
Laparoscopically Removed Streak Gonad Revealed Gonadoblastoma in Frasier Syndrome.
Anticancer Res. 2017; 37(7):3975-3979 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Frasier syndrome (FS) is characterized by gonadal dysgenesis and progressive nephropathy caused by mutation in the Wilm's tumor gene (WT1). We report a case of FS in which diagnosis was based on amenorrhea with nephropathy, and laparoscopically-removed streak gonad which revealed gonadoblastoma.
CASE REPORT: At the age of 3 years, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome. This later became steroid-resistant and, by the age of 16 years, had progressed to end-stage renal failure with peritoneal dialysis. At the age of 17 years, the patient presented primary amenorrhea and was referred to our department. Physical examination was consistent with Tanner 1 development and external genitalia were female phenotype. Speculum examination showed uterine cervix and uterine body and bilateral ovaries were not palpable on pelvic examination. Multi-sliced computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis revealed streaked structure along the bilateral external iliac artery at pelvic wall and hypoplastic uterus. Serum testing revealed primary hypogonadism pattern, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone with low concentrations of estradiol and testosterone. The patient underwent genetic counseling with her parents. Chromosomal status was 46XY karyotype and DNA sequencing confirmed FS due to a heterozygous WT1 mutation (IVS9+5G>A). Elective laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed to avoid increased risk for gonadoblastoma. Pathological examination revealed gonadoblastoma in the right gonad.
CONCLUSION: Although a rare disease, the diagnosis of FS should be considered in the case of primary amenorrhea with nephropathy. Prophylatic gonadectomy is recommended due to the high risk of gonadoblastoma in the dysgenetic gonad.

França MM, Lerario AM, Fragoso MCBV, Lotfi CFP
New evidences on the regulation of SF-1 expression by POD1/TCF21 in adrenocortical tumor cells.
Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2017; 72(6):391-394 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
OBJECTIVES:: Transcription Factor 21 represses steroidogenic factor 1, a nuclear receptor required for gonadal development, sex determination and the regulation of adrenogonadal steroidogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether silencing or overexpression of the gene Transcription Factor 21 could modulate the gene and protein expression of steroidogenic factor 1 in adrenocortical tumors.
METHODS:: We analyzed the gene expression of steroidogenic factor 1 using qPCR after silencing endogenous Transcription Factor 21 in pediatric adrenal adenoma-T7 cells through small interfering RNA. In addition, using overexpression of Transcription Factor 21 in human adrenocortical carcinoma cells, we analyzed the protein expression of steroidogenic factor 1 using Western blotting.
RESULTS:: Transcription Factor 21 knockdown increased the mRNA expression of steroidogenic factor 1 by 5.97-fold in pediatric adrenal adenoma-T7 cells. Additionally, Transcription Factor 21 overexpression inhibited the protein expression of steroidogenic factor 1 by 0.41-fold and 0.64-fold in two different adult adrenocortical carcinoma cell cultures, H295R and T36, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:: Transcription Factor 21 is downregulated in adrenocortical carcinoma cells. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that Transcription Factor 21 is a regulator of steroidogenic factor 1 and is a tumor suppressor gene in pediatric and adult adrenocortical tumors.

Huynh MT, Boudry-Labis E, Duban B, et al.
WAGR syndrome and congenital hypothyroidism in a child with a Mosaic 11p13 deletion.
Am J Med Genet A. 2017; 173(6):1690-1693 [PubMed] Related Publications
Wilm's tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, and mental retardation (WAGR) syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, is caused by the loss of 11p13 region including PAX6 and WT1. We report novel findings in a 28-month-old boy with aniridia, Wilm's tumor, congenital hypothyroidism, and sublingual thyroid ectopia. He was found to have a mosaic 5.28 Mb interstitial deletion of chromosome 11p13 deleting PAX6 and WT1. In order to clarify the mechanism underlying his thyroid dysgenesis, sequence analysis of candidate thyroid developmental genes was performed. We identified a FOXE1: c.532_537delGCCGCC p.(Ala178_Ala179del) variant that predisposes to thyroid ectopia. Taken together, this is the first report of mosaic 11p13 deletion in association with thyroid dysgenesis. We also propose a model of complex interactions of different genetic variants for this particular phenotype in the present patient.

Colombe S, Houllier L, Fleurot E, et al.
Syndecan 1 represses cell growth and FSH responsiveness in human granulosa cells.
Reproduction. 2017; 153(6):797-808 [PubMed] Related Publications
Albeit devoid of intrinsic catalytic activity, the transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan syndecan 1 plays critical roles in cellular processes such as extracellular matrix crosstalk, cytoskeletal organization, cell spreading, proliferation and differentiation. During the ovarian cycle, the expression of syndecan 1 in granulosa cells shows cyclic variation suggesting that it might fulfil specific roles in follicle development. To investigate its physiological roles on granulosa cells, syndecan 1 was overexpressed in human granulosa cell line KGN which retains features of granulosa cells from small antral follicle such as estradiol (E2) synthesis and low expression of functional FSH receptor (FSHR). We demonstrated that overexpression of syndecan 1 in immature granulosa cells (KGN-SDC1) induces a profound alteration in their intrinsic characteristics including enhanced spreading and attachment, both associated with a reduced growth rate. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that syndecan 1 overexpression increases the percentage of KGN cells in quiescent phase. This partial cell cycle exit is concordant with downregulated levels of

Vasilyeva TA, Voskresenskaya AA, Käsmann-Kellner B, et al.
Molecular analysis of patients with aniridia in Russian Federation broadens the spectrum of PAX6 mutations.
Clin Genet. 2017; 92(6):639-644 [PubMed] Related Publications
Congenital aniridia is a severe autosomal dominant congenital panocular disorder, mainly associated with pathogenic variants in the PAX6 gene. The objective of the study was to investigate the mutational and clinical spectra of congenital aniridia in a cohort of 117 patients from Russia. Each patient underwent detailed ophthalmological examination. From 91 unrelated families, 110 patients were diagnosed with congenital aniridia and 7 with WAGR syndrome (Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary anomalies, and mental Retardation syndrome). The clinical presentation in aniridia patients varied from the complete bilateral absence of the iris (75.5%) to partial aniridia or iris hypoplasia (24.5%). Additional ocular abnormalities were consistent with previous reports. In our cohort, we saw a previously not described high percentage of patients (45%) who showed non-ocular phenotypes. Prevalence of deletions coherent with WAGR syndrome appeared to be 19.4% out of sporadic patients. Among the other aniridia cases, PAX6 deletions were identified in 18 probands, and small intragenic changes were detected in 58 probands with 27 of these mutations being novel and 21 previously reported. In 3 families mosaic mutation was transmitted from a subtly affected parent. Therefore, PAX6 mutations explained 96.7% of aniridia phenotypes in this study with only 3 of 91 probands lacking pathogenic variants in the gene.

Ruggiero C, Doghman-Bouguerra M, Sbiera S, et al.
Dosage-dependent regulation of
Sci Signal. 2017; 10(469) [PubMed] Related Publications
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Genomic studies have enabled progress in our understanding of the molecular bases of ACC, but factors that influence its prognosis are lacking. Amplification of the gene encoding the transcription factor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1; also known as NR5A1) is one of the genetic alterations common in ACC. We identified a transcriptional regulatory mechanism involving increased abundance of VAV2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small GTPases that control the cytoskeleton, driven by increased expression of the gene encoding SF-1 in ACC. Manipulating SF-1 and VAV2 abundance in cultured ACC cells revealed that VAV2 was a critical factor for SF-1-induced cytoskeletal remodeling and invasion in culture (Matrigel) and in vivo (chicken chorioallantoic membrane) models. Analysis of ACC patient cohorts indicated that greater VAV2 abundance robustly correlated with poor prognosis in ACC patients. Because VAV2 is a druggable target, our findings suggest that blocking VAV2 may be a new therapeutic approach to inhibit metastatic progression in ACC patients.

Feng J, Li Y, Jia Y, et al.
Spectrum of somatic mutations detected by targeted next-generation sequencing and their prognostic significance in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
J Hematol Oncol. 2017; 10(1):61 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Target-specific next-generation sequencing technology was used to analyze 112 genes in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This sequencing mainly focused on the specific mutational hotspots. Among the 121 patients, 93 patients were B-ALL (76.9%), and 28 patients (23.1%) were T-ALL. Of the 121 patients, 110 (90.9%) harbored at least one mutation. The five most frequently mutated genes in T-ALL are NOTCH1, JAK3, FBXW7, FAT1, and NRAS. In B-ALL, FAT1, SF1, CRLF2, TET2, and PTPN1 have higher incidence of mutations. Gene mutations are different between Ph

Blanco-Kelly F, Palomares M, Vallespín E, et al.
Improving molecular diagnosis of aniridia and WAGR syndrome using customized targeted array-based CGH.
PLoS One. 2017; 12(2):e0172363 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Chromosomal deletions at 11p13 are a frequent cause of congenital Aniridia, a rare pan-ocular genetic disease, and of WAGR syndrome, accounting up to 30% of cases. First-tier genetic testing for newborn with aniridia, to detect 11p13 rearrangements, includes Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) and karyotyping. However, neither of these approaches allow obtaining a complete picture of the high complexity of chromosomal deletions and breakpoints in aniridia. Here, we report the development and validation of a customized targeted array-based comparative genomic hybridization, so called WAGR-array, for comprehensive high-resolution analysis of CNV in the WAGR locus. Our approach increased the detection rate in a Spanish cohort of 38 patients with aniridia, WAGR syndrome and other related ocular malformations, allowing to characterize four undiagnosed aniridia cases, and to confirm MLPA findings in four additional patients. For all patients, breakpoints were accurately established and a contiguous deletion syndrome, involving a large number of genes, was identified in three patients. Moreover, we identified novel microdeletions affecting 3' PAX6 regulatory regions in three families with isolated aniridia. This tool represents a good strategy for the genetic diagnosis of aniridia and associated syndromes, allowing for a more accurate CNVs detection, as well as a better delineation of breakpoints. Our results underline the clinical importance of performing exhaustive and accurate analysis of chromosomal rearrangements for patients with aniridia, especially newborns and those without defects in PAX6 after diagnostic screening.

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