Analysis of Sox2 expression during puberty and its relation with terminal differentiation and pituitary hormone production in animals with spontaneous mutation in the Prop1 gene

Author(s)

Juliana Moreira Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2019-09-05

Examining board members

Luciani Renata Silveira de Carvalho; Renata Frazão; Gisele Giannocco

• Advisor: Luciani Renata Silveira de Carvalho

Abstract

The pituitary gland produces and secretes hormones related to growth, fertility, lactation and stress response. The initial phases of the anterior pituitary gland development are regulated by many transcription factors, including HESX1, GLI2, OTX2, LHX3, LHX4, SOX2 and SOX3 as well as the transcription factors PROP1 and POU1F1 (PIT-1) that are involved in terminal differentiation. These factors participate in a cascade of events responsible for the formation of pituitary hormones (LH, FSH, TSH, GH and PRL). In the absence of one or more transcription factors, it is observed the deficiency of hormones produced by the pituitary gland. The Ames strain, a mice lineage with spontaneous mutation in the Prop1 gene, is extensively used as an animal model to study congenital hypopituitarism. This study aims to evaluate the cellular dynamic involved in the differentiation of pituitary stem/progenitor cells into pituitary hormone producing cells during puberty, a pituitary high demand period. During periods that do not demand increased pituitary hormones levels, there is an increase in SOX2 expression in the Ames mice. The transcription factor PROP1 is not essential for somatotroph and gonadotroph differentiation with increased expression of pituitary hormones codifying gene and normal secretion of GH, LH, FSH, and TSH in Prop1 spontaneous mutants. Despite presenting with growth delay and infertility, these animals have normal gonadal morphology and cell differentiation, producing spermatozoa and follicular development in mutants (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16493-4 - Analysis of SOX2 expression during puberty and its relation to terminal differentiation and hormonal production in animals with spontaneous mutation in the Prop1 gene
• Grantee: Juliana Moreira Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master