Pituitary tumor-transforming gene in endocrine and other neoplasms: a review and update

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2008 Sep;15(3):721-43. doi: 10.1677/ERC-08-0012.

Abstract

Pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) was only recently discovered. Its overexpression occurs in a wide variety of endocrine and non-endocrine tumors, including ones of pituitary, thyroid, ovary, breast, prostate, lung, esophagus, colon, and the central nervous system. It affects tumor invasiveness and recurrence in several systems, functions as a securin during cell cycle progression, and inhibits premature sister chromatid separation. PTTG is involved in multiple cellular pathways, including proliferation, DNA repair, transformation, angiogenesis induction, invasion, and the induction of genetic instability. In thyroid carcinomas, PTTG expression is a marker of invasiveness. PTTG is overexpressed in most pituitary adenomas, where it appears to correlate with recurrence and angiogenesis. Increasing evidence also points to the role of PTTG in endocrine organ development. For example, PTTG knockout mice show defective pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. Herein, we review the current knowledge regarding PTTG-mediated pathways based on evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies as well as knockout mice models. We also summarize the issue of PTTG expression and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters in patients with neoplasms, particularly of endocrine organs. In addition, we discuss in vitro and in vivo therapeutic models targeting PTTG overexpression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Securin
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Securin
  • pituitary tumor-transforming protein 1, human