Expression and function of ErbB receptors and ligands in the pituitary

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2011 Oct 27;18(6):R197-211. doi: 10.1530/ERC-11-0066. Print 2011 Oct.

Abstract

The role of ErbB family in discreet pituitary functions is reviewed. Several ErbB receptor ligands, EGF, TGFα, and heregulin are differentially expressed in normal gonadotroph and lacto-somatotroph lineages, and other elements of the anterior pituitary. ErbB receptors, i.e. EGFR and ErbB2, are also localized to the anterior pituitary with preferential EGFR lactosomatotroph expression. EGF regulates CRH and ACTH secretion and corticotroph proliferation as well as exhibiting autocrine and paracrine effects on gonadotrophs and on lactosomatotroph proliferation, gene and protein expression, and hormonal secretion. EGF and EGFR are expressed in both functioning and non-functioning pituitary adenomas, with higher expression in more aggressive tumor subtypes. ErbB2 receptor is detected in all tumor subtypes, particularly in invasive tumors. ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitors regulate hormonal secretion, cell morphology, and proliferation in lacto-somatotroph tumors, reflecting the emerging application of targeted pituitary therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neuregulin-1 / metabolism
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / biosynthesis*
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Neuregulin-1
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Receptor, ErbB-2