scholarly journals SAT-291 SIX3 Is Essential for Hypothalamic and Pituitary Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironori Bando ◽  
Michelle L Brinkmeier ◽  
Frederic Castinetti ◽  
Peter Gergics ◽  
Amanda H Mortensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Homeodomain Protein ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Shh Signaling ◽  
Rathke’S Pouch ◽  
Pituitary Development ◽  
Rathke's Pouch ◽  
Oral Ectoderm ◽  
Congenital Hypopituitarism

Abstract The genetic basis for congenital hypopituitarism and related disorders is beginning to emerge, and over causal 30 genes have been identified, including six in the SHH signaling pathway. Mutations in some of these genes can also cause holoprosencephaly (HPE) or septo-optic dysplasia. SIX3 is a homeodomain protein expressed in the developing brain, pituitary gland, and eye. It activates SHH signaling and represses BMP signaling. Heterozygous mutations in SIX3 cause variable HPE in humans and mice. We identified a rare, heterozygous variant in SIX3 in two children with neonatal GH and TSH deficiency and stalk interruption, p.P74R. Using transient transfection in 3T3 cells, we demonstrated that the variant reduced the ability of SIX3 to transactivate the SHH enhancer and promoter of FOXG1, suggesting that the variant could be deleterious. To understand the role of SIX3 in hypothalamic and pituitary development we used Nkx2.1-cre and Prop1-cre to delete Six3 in mice. The Nkx2.1-cre, Six3flox/flox embryos had no evidence of infundibulum evagination or expression of Fgf10 or Tcf7l2 at e11.5. The oral ectoderm invaginated in mutants, but no definitive Rathke’s pouch formed. There was no evidence of Lhx3 expression and only trace amounts of Pitx1, indicating that pituitary induction failed due to the lack of Six3 in the developing hypothalamus. Similarly, disruption of Six3 expression in Rathke’s pouch using Prop1-cre ablated pituitary development. Together, these data reveal essential roles of Six3 in both the neural and oral ectoderm for hypothalamic and pituitary development, respectively. Heterozygous loss of function variants in SIX3 could be a contributor to multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies in children, especially if there are associated craniofacial abnormalities.

scholarly journals SIX3 Variant Causes Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome and Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A530-A530
Author(s):  
Hironori Bando ◽  
Michelle Brinkmeier ◽  
Peter Gergics ◽  
Qing Fang ◽  
Amanda Helen Mortensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Pituitary Stalk ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Rathke’S Pouch ◽  
Pituitary Development ◽  
Rathke's Pouch

Abstract The genetic basis for congenital hypopituitarism and related disorders is beginning to emerge, and over 30 causal genes have been identified. Mutations in some of these genes can also cause holoprosencephaly (HPE) or septo-optic dysplasia. SIX3 is a homeodomain protein expressed in the developing brain, pituitary gland, and eye. Heterozygous mutations in SIX3 cause variable HPE in humans and mice. We identified two children with neonatal GH and TSH deficiency and stalk interruption who were doubly heterozygous for rare, likely deleterious variants in SIX3 and POU1F1. Functional studies demonstrated that both variants are disruptive. We used Six3 and Pou1f1 loss of function mice to assess the genetic interaction between Six3 and Pou1f1. Six3 heterozygotes have variable pituitary gland dysmorphology, while Pou1f1 heterozygotes are normal. A significant portion of the Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw doubly heterozygous mice have a more pronounced pituitary phenotype than Six3+/-, supporting the possibility of digenic pituitary disease. To understand the role of SIX3 in pituitary and hypothalamic development, we used Prop1-cre and Nkx2.1-cre to delete Six3. Disruption of Six3 expression in Rathke’s pouch caused poor activation of Lhx3 expression and arrested anterior pituitary development. The Nkx2.1-cre, Six3flox/flox embryos had no evidence of infundibulum evagination and failed to induce FGF and BMP signaling, which normally drive expansion of Rathke’s pouch. By E11.5 cells in Rathke’s pouch underwent apoptosis. The Nkx2.1-cre, Six3flox/flox embryos failed to activate expression of Lhx2 and Tbx3 in the neural ectoderm. These embryos had elevated CCND1, MYCN, and Axin2 expression in the area of the presumptive infundibulum. This indicates that SIX3 is necessary to repress cell proliferation and Wnt/beta-catenin signals to promote formation of the pituitary stalk. Thus, Six3 has essential roles in both the neural and oral ectoderm for hypothalamic and pituitary development, respectively. Heterozygous loss of function variants in SIX3 could be a contributor to multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies in children, especially if there are associated craniofacial abnormalities or PSIS.

scholarly journals SAT-288 Pituitary Developmental Defects Caused by Haploinsufficiency for the Transcription Factor SIX3 Are Worsened by POU1F1 Deficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Brinkmeier ◽  
Sally Ann Camper
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pituitary Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Rathke’S Pouch ◽  
Rathke's Pouch ◽  
Vasopressin Neurons

Abstract Advances in genomic technologies are revolutionizing the practice of medicine by delivering molecular diagnoses that can be informative for prognosis and treatment of genetic disorders. Most of the known genetic causes of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency have been investigated as monogenic disorders. It can be challenging to predict clinical features from genetic data, as loss of function mutations in some genes can present with a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from craniofacial abnormalities, intellectual disability, and neurosensory and neuroendocrine defects to pituitary hormone deficiency with no other abnormalities. Although maternal exposures could be contributing factors, the contribution of rare, deleterious variation in other genes is a likely contributor. In humans, loss of function mutations in the transcription factor SIX3 cause variable, autosomal dominant holoprosencephaly with incomplete penetrance, and mouse models recapitulate some of the clinical features. Because Six3 and Pou1f1 gene expression patterns overlap in pituitary development, we hypothesized that doubly heterozygous mice (Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw) might have pituitary anomalies not present in singly heterozygous mice. We intercrossed Six3+/- and Pou1f1+/dw mice to produce doubly heterozygous animals. At e11.5, both Six3+/- and Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw exhibited abnormal morphology of the developing infundibulum and Rathke’s pouch, although ventral diencephalon expression of Tle4, Fgf10, and Nkx2.1 appeared normal. Both newborn Six3+/- and Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw littermates had abnormal pituitary gland morphology that resembled that of Aes-/-. AES is a co-repressor that interacts with SIX3. Specification of vasopressin neurons and anterior lobe hormone cell types appeared normal. Mice of all genotypes were born in expected Mendelian ratios (N=144, p=0.49), and there were no significant differences in body weight at 3 wks. A portion of the Six3+/- and doubly heterozygous mice developed hydrocephalus, exhibited failure to thrive, and died (6-9% of N=82, 85, respectively). At 6 wks, 25% (N=61) of the Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw animals exhibited striking pituitary dysmorphology in which the rostral aspect of the pituitary penetrated the palate. This was not observed in single heterozygotes. These results reveal that haploinsufficiency for Six3 affects Rathke’s pouch formation, resulting in pituitary gland dysmorphology in and around the stem cell niche. A significant portion of the Six3+/-; Pou1f1+/dw doubly heterozygous mice have a more pronounced pituitary phenotype than Six3+/-, supporting the possibility of digenic pituitary disease and highlighting phenotypic variability. Genetically engineered mice provide an excellent tool for assessing the possibility of gene-gene interactions that could enhance the severity of hypopituitarism and associated craniofacial development.

scholarly journals MON-717 Novel GLI2 Mutations Identified in Pediatric Patients with Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency: One Gene, Various Genotypes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian A Vishnopolska ◽  
Debora Braslavsky ◽  
Ana Claudia Keselman ◽  
Ignacio Bergada ◽  
Roxana M Marino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gfp Expression ◽  
Shh Signaling ◽  
Pituitary Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

Abstract Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) is an important clinical problem caused by mutations in more than 30 different genes. Six genes in the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signalling pathway are reported to cause CPHD. SHH signaling is essential to induce pituitary cell identity in cells of Rathke’s pouch by stimulating expression of the transcription factors Lhx3 and Lhx4. In the absence of SHH signaling, a repressive isoform of the transcription factor GLI2 (Gli-Kruppel family member 2) suppresses gene expression. In the presence of SHH signaling, the activating form of GLI2 gains access to the nucleus and induces expression of downstream target genes. Heterozygous GLI2 loss of function mutations are found in patients with holoprosencephaly (HPE), HPE-like phenotypes associated with pituitary anomalies, and combined pituitary hormone deficiency with or without other extra-pituitary findings. We sought to identify the cause of CPHD in 171 unrelated patients diagnosed with or without extra-pituitary manifestations that were recruited from several Argentinean medical centers. We conducted panel sequencing, and identified GLI2 heterozygous variants that were rare and predicted to be deleterious in two unrelated patients, (p.L761P and p.1404Lfs) and a single, heterozygous, rare, likely deleterious GLI2 variant identified by exome sequencing (p.A203T). p.L761P and p.A203T variants were previously reported as candidates for HPE/CPHD, no functional studies were carried out to determine the effect of the variants on the gene function. We performed functional analysis of these variants using a mammalian cell line (NIH/3T3-CG) previously engineered to be a sensor for SHH signaling. It was stably transfected with a reporter gene that expresses GFP in response to GLI2 activation by a SHH agonist. We modified this cell line to assay GLI2 variants. We created a homozygous knock out of both endogenous Gli2 genes using CRISPR-Cas9 editing, and individual cell clones were selected for loss of GFP expression in response to SHH agonist treatment by FACS. We verified that transfecting the knockout cells with wild type Gli2 restored SHH responsive GFP expression. We assayed the ability of three patient GLI2 variants to rescue GFP expression and SHH agonist responsiveness and found that all three failed to fully rescue to wild type levels. This supports the hypothesis that the GLI2 variants in three CPHD patients are likely pathogenic. Thus, we identified three likely pathogenic GLI2 mutations in CPHD patients from Argentina. The variable phenotype of patients with GLI2 mutations worldwide could be caused by variation in other genes, environmental exposures, maternal effects, and/or epigenetic factors.

scholarly journals Heterozygous defects in PAX6 gene and congenital hypopituitarism

2015 ◽  
Vol 172 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Takagi ◽  
Keisuke Nagasaki ◽  
Ikuma Fujiwara ◽  
Tomohiro Ishii ◽  
Naoko Amano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽  
Copy Number Variations ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Pax6 Gene ◽  
Pituitary Development ◽  
Congenital Hypopituitarism

BackgroundThe prevalence of congenital hypopituitarism (CH) attributable to known transcription factor mutations appears to be rare and other causative genes for CH remain to be identified. Due to the sporadic occurrence of CH, de novo chromosomal rearrangements could be one of the molecular mechanisms participating in its etiology, especially in syndromic cases.ObjectiveTo identify the role of copy number variations (CNVs) in the etiology of CH and to identify novel genes implicated in CH.Subjects and methodsWe enrolled 88 (syndromic: 30; non-syndromic: 58) Japanese CH patients. We performed an array comparative genomic hybridization screening in the 30 syndromic CH patients. For all the 88 patients, we analyzed PAX6 by PCR-based sequencing.ResultsWe identified one heterozygous 310-kb deletion of the PAX6 enhancer region in one patient showing isolated GH deficiency (IGHD), cleft palate, and optic disc cupping. We also identified one heterozygous 6.5-Mb deletion encompassing OTX2 in a patient with bilateral anophthalmia and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency. We identified a novel PAX6 mutation, namely p.N116S in one non-syndromic CH patient showing IGHD. The p.N116S PAX6 was associated with an impairment of the transactivation capacities of the PAX6-binding elements.ConclusionsThis study showed that heterozygous PAX6 mutations are associated with CH patients. PAX6 mutations may be associated with diverse clinical features ranging from severely impaired ocular and pituitary development to apparently normal phenotype. Overall, this study identified causative CNVs with a possible role in the etiology of CH in <10% of syndromic CH patients.

scholarly journals Variation in phenotypes from a Bmp-Gata3 genetic pathway is modulated by Shh signaling

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. e1009579
Author(s):  
Mary E. Swartz ◽  
C. Ben Lovely ◽  
Johann K. Eberhart
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Choanal Atresia ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Shh Signaling ◽  
Shh Pathway ◽  
Transgenic Embryos ◽  
Craniofacial Defects

We sought to understand how perturbation of signaling pathways and their targets generates variable phenotypes. In humans, GATA3 associates with highly variable defects, such as HDR syndrome, microsomia and choanal atresia. We previously characterized a zebrafish point mutation in gata3 with highly variable craniofacial defects to the posterior palate. This variability could be due to residual Gata3 function, however, we observe the same phenotypic variability in gata3 null mutants. Using hsp:GATA3-GFP transgenics, we demonstrate that Gata3 function is required between 24 and 30 hpf. At this time maxillary neural crest cells fated to generate the palate express gata3. Transplantation experiments show that neural crest cells require Gata3 function for palatal development. Via a candidate approach, we determined if Bmp signaling was upstream of gata3 and if this pathway explained the mutant’s phenotypic variation. Using BRE:d2EGFP transgenics, we demonstrate that maxillary neural crest cells are Bmp responsive by 24 hpf. We find that gata3 expression in maxillary neural crest requires Bmp signaling and that blocking Bmp signaling, in hsp:DN-Bmpr1a-GFP embryos, can phenocopy gata3 mutants. Palatal defects are rescued in hsp:DN-Bmpr1a-GFP;hsp:GATA3-GFP double transgenic embryos, collectively demonstrating that gata3 is downstream of Bmp signaling. However, Bmp attenuation does not alter phenotypic variability in gata3 loss-of-function embryos, implicating a different pathway. Due to phenotypes observed in hypomorphic shha mutants, the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway was a promising candidate for this pathway. Small molecule activators and inhibitors of the Shh pathway lessen and exacerbate, respectively, the phenotypic severity of gata3 mutants. Importantly, inhibition of Shh can cause gata3 haploinsufficiency, as observed in humans. We find that gata3 mutants in a less expressive genetic background have a compensatory upregulation of Shh signaling. These results demonstrate that the level of Shh signaling can modulate the phenotypes observed in gata3 mutants.

Pitx2is required at multiple stages of pituitary organogenesis: pituitary primordium formation and cell specification

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoonkyo Suh ◽  
Philip J. Gage ◽  
Jacques Drouin ◽  
Sally A. Camper
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Allelic Series ◽  
Rieger Syndrome ◽  
Rathke’S Pouch ◽  
Pituitary Development ◽  
Rathke's Pouch ◽  
Multiple Stages

Analysis of an allelic series in mice revealed that the Pitx2 homeobox gene is required at multiple stages of pituitary development. It is necessary for initiating expansion of Rathke’s pouch and maintaining expression of the fetal-specific transcription factors Hesx1 and Prop1. At later stages Pitx2 is necessary for specification and expansion of the gonadotropes and Pit1 lineage within the ventral and caudomedial anterior pituitary. Mechanistically, this is due to the dependence of several critical lineage-specific transcription factors, Pit1, Gata2, Egr1 and Sf1, on a threshold level of PITX2. The related Pitx1 gene has a role in hormone gene transcription, and it is important late in ontogeny for the final expansion of the differentiated cell types. Pitx1 and Pitx2 have overlapping functions in the expansion of Rathke’s pouch, revealing the sensitivity of pituitary organogenesis to the dosage of the PITX family. The model developed for PITX gene function in pituitary development provides a better understanding of the etiology of Rieger syndrome and may extend to other PITX-sensitive developmental processes.

scholarly journals FGFR1 and PROKR2 rare variants found in patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda A Correa ◽  
Ericka B Trarbach ◽  
Cintia Tusset ◽  
Ana Claudia Latronico ◽  
Luciana R Montenegro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Variants ◽  
Candidate Gene Approach ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Degree Relative ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Mapk Activity ◽  
Genetic Overlap ◽  
Congenital Hypopituitarism ◽  
Wild Type Form

The genetic aetiology of congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is not entirely elucidated. FGFR1 and PROKR2 loss-of-function mutations are classically involved in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH), however, due to the clinical and genetic overlap of HH and CH; these genes may also be involved in the pathogenesis of CH. Using a candidate gene approach, we screened 156 Brazilian patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD) for loss-of-function mutations in FGFR1 and PROKR2. We identified three FGFR1 variants (p.Arg448Trp, p.Ser107Leu and p.Pro772Ser) in four unrelated patients (two males) and two PROKR2 variants (p.Arg85Cys and p.Arg248Glu) in two unrelated female patients. Five of the six patients harbouring the variants had a first-degree relative that was an unaffected carrier of it. Results of functional studies indicated that the new FGFR1 variant p.Arg448Trp is a loss-of-function variant, while p.Ser107Leu and p.Pro772Ser present signalling activity similar to the wild-type form. Regarding PROKR2 variants, results from previous functional studies indicated that p.Arg85Cys moderately compromises receptor signalling through both MAPK and Ca2+ pathways while p.Arg248Glu decreases calcium mobilization but has normal MAPK activity. The presence of loss-of-function variants of FGFR1 and PROKR2 in our patients with CPHD is indicative of an adjuvant and/or modifier effect of these rare variants on the phenotype. The presence of the same variants in unaffected relatives implies that they cannot solely cause the phenotype. Other associated genetic and/or environmental modifiers may play a role in the aetiology of this condition.

Hedgehog signaling is required for pituitary gland development

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Treier ◽  
S. O'Connell ◽  
A. Gleiberman ◽  
J. Price ◽  
D.P. Szeto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Hedgehog Signaling ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Oral Epithelium ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Rathke’S Pouch ◽  
Rathke's Pouch ◽  
Oral Ectoderm ◽  
Gland Development

Pituitary gland development serves as an excellent model system in which to study the emergence of distinct cell types from a common primordium in mammalian organogenesis. We have investigated the role of the morphogen Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in outgrowth and differentiation of the pituitary gland using loss- and gain-of-function studies in transgenic mice. Shh is expressed throughout the ventral diencephalon and the oral ectoderm, but its expression is subsequently absent from the nascent Rathke's pouch as soon as it becomes morphologically visible, creating a Shh boundary within the oral epithelium. We used oral ectoderm/Rathke's pouch-specific 5′ regulatory sequences (Pitx1(HS)) from the bicoid related pituitary homeobox gene (Pitx1) to target overexpression of the Hedgehog inhibitor Hip (Huntingtin interacting protein) to block Hedgehog signaling, finding that SHH is required for proliferation of the pituitary gland. In addition, we provide evidence that Hedgehog signaling, acting at the Shh boundary within the oral ectoderm, may exert a role in differentiation of ventral cell types (gonadotropes and thyrotropes) by inducing Bmp2 expression in Rathke's pouch, which subsequently regulates expression of ventral transcription factors, particularly Gata2. Furthermore, our data suggest that Hedgehog signaling, together with FGF8/10 signaling, synergizes to regulate expression of the LIM homeobox gene Lhx3, which has been proved to be essential for initial pituitary gland formation. Thus, SHH appears to exert effects on both proliferation and cell-type determination in pituitary gland development.

scholarly journals Loss-of-Function Variants in TBC1D32 Underlie Syndromic Hypopituitarism

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1748-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Hietamäki ◽  
Louise C Gregory ◽  
Sandy Ayoub ◽  
Anna-Pauliina Iivonen ◽  
Kirsi Vaaralahti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
Compound Heterozygous ◽  
Pituitary Hormone ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Shh Signaling ◽  
Craniofacial Dysmorphism

Abstract Context Congenital pituitary hormone deficiencies with syndromic phenotypes and/or familial occurrence suggest genetic hypopituitarism; however, in many such patients the underlying molecular basis of the disease remains unknown. Objective To describe patients with syndromic hypopituitarism due to biallelic loss-of-function variants in TBC1D32, a gene implicated in Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Setting Referral center. Patients A Finnish family of 2 siblings with panhypopituitarism, absent anterior pituitary, and mild craniofacial dysmorphism, and a Pakistani family with a proband with growth hormone deficiency, anterior pituitary hypoplasia, and developmental delay. Interventions The patients were investigated by whole genome sequencing. Expression profiling of TBC1D32 in human fetal brain was performed through in situ hybridization. Stable and dynamic protein-protein interaction partners of TBC1D32 were investigated in HEK cells followed by mass spectrometry analyses. Main Outcome Measures Genetic and phenotypic features of patients with biallelic loss-of-function mutations in TBC1D32. Results The Finnish patients harboured compound heterozygous loss-of-function variants (c.1165_1166dup p.(Gln390Phefs*32) and c.2151del p.(Lys717Asnfs*29)) in TBC1D32; the Pakistani proband carried a known pathogenic homozygous TBC1D32 splice-site variant c.1372 + 1G &gt; A p.(Arg411_Gly458del), as did a fetus with a cleft lip and partial intestinal malrotation from a terminated pregnancy within the same pedigree. TBC1D32 was expressed in the developing hypothalamus, Rathke’s pouch, and areas of the hindbrain. TBC1D32 interacted with proteins implicated in cilium assembly, Shh signaling, and brain development. Conclusions Biallelic TBC1D32 variants underlie syndromic hypopituitarism, and the underlying mechanism may be via disrupted Shh signaling.

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