Animal models of pituitary neoplasia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2015.08.024Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Over 40 animal models of pituitary neoplasia have been reported.

  • Animal models have confirmed roles of genes implicated in pituitary tumourigenesis.

  • Animal models have revealed novel genes involved in pituitary tumourigenesis.

  • Menin is a key protein in suppressing pituitary tumour development.

Abstract

Pituitary neoplasias can occur as part of a complex inherited disorder, or more commonly as sporadic (non-familial) disease. Studies of the molecular and genetic mechanisms causing such pituitary tumours have identified dysregulation of >35 genes, with many revealed by studies in mice, rats and zebrafish. Strategies used to generate these animal models have included gene knockout, gene knockin and transgenic over-expression, as well as chemical mutagenesis and drug induction. These animal models provide an important resource for investigation of tissue-specific tumourigenic mechanisms, and evaluations of novel therapies, illustrated by studies into multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), a hereditary syndrome in which ∼30% of patients develop pituitary adenomas. This review describes animal models of pituitary neoplasia that have been generated, together with some recent advances in gene editing technologies, and an illustration of the use of the Men1 mouse as a pre clinical model for evaluating novel therapies.

Keywords

Pituitary
Adenoma
Carcinoma
Mouse
Rat
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

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