Expression of somatostatin receptors, dopamine D₂ receptors, noradrenaline transporters, and vesicular monoamine transporters in 52 pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2011 Mar 21;18(2):287-300. doi: 10.1530/ERC-10-0175. Print 2011 Apr.

Abstract

While somatostatin receptors (sst), through somatostatin-radiolabeled analogs, are used, mainly in second line, in the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGL), the clinical significance of dopamine receptor subtype 2 (D₂) in PCC/PGL is unknown. Indeed, radiolabeled dopamine (DA) analogs such as fluorine 18 ((18)F)-DA, used for positron emission tomography in PCC localization, are mainly correlated to the presence of noradrenaline transporter (NAT) and vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT) but not to D₂. The aim of this study was to quantitate D₂ and sst expression in 52 PCC/PGL and to compare it with that of 35 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Quantitative RT-PCR of sst(1-3) and sst₅, D₂, NAT, VMAT1/2 was performed in all tumors, while immunohistochemistry analysis of sst₂ and D₂ was performed in seven tumors. D₂ mRNA was expressed in all PCC/PGL. Mean expression was significantly higher in PCC/PGL than in GEP-NETs (4.8 vs 0.5 copy/copy β-glucuronidase (Gus)). sst₂ and sst(1) were expressed in most PCC/PGL, with sst(2)-dominant expression (mean mRNA: 1.6 vs 0.4 copy/copy β-Gus). sst₂ expression level was similar to that of GEP-NETs, whereas sst₅ expression level was significantly lower (0.12 vs 0.78 copy/copy β-Gus). Our study evidenced strong D₂ mRNA expression in PCC and for the first time in PGL. PCC/PGL express sst₂ mRNA at levels similar to those of GEP-NETs. New drugs can target ssts and D₂ more efficiently than current somatostatin analogs. Moreover, transporters like NAT and VMAT1/2, could be co-targeted with sst, as a basis of new radionuclide compounds in the imaging and treatment of these tumors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Paraganglioma / metabolism*
  • Pheochromocytoma / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / genetics
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / metabolism*
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Receptors, Somatostatin
  • SLC18A1 protein, human
  • SLC18A2 protein, human
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins