The role of ARMC5 in human cell cultures from nodules of primary macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (PMAH)

IP Cavalcante, M Nishi, MCN Zerbini… - Molecular and cellular …, 2018 - Elsevier
IP Cavalcante, M Nishi, MCN Zerbini, MQ Almeida, VB Brondani, MLA de Arruda Botelho…
Molecular and cellular endocrinology, 2018Elsevier
The participation of aberrant receptors and intra-adrenal ACTH in hyperplastic tissue are
considered mechanisms that regulate hypercortisolism in PMAH. Additionally, germline
ARMC5 mutations have been described as the most frequent genetic abnormality found in
patients diagnosed with PMAH. Previous functional studies analyzed ARMC5 role using
H295R cells. Therefore, we investigated the role of ARMC5 in cell cultures obtained from
PMAH nodules containing steroidogenic cells, aberrant receptors and intra-adrenal ACTH …
Abstract
The participation of aberrant receptors and intra-adrenal ACTH in hyperplastic tissue are considered mechanisms that regulate hypercortisolism in PMAH. Additionally, germline ARMC5 mutations have been described as the most frequent genetic abnormality found in patients diagnosed with PMAH. Previous functional studies analyzed ARMC5 role using H295R cells. Therefore, we investigated the role of ARMC5 in cell cultures obtained from PMAH nodules containing steroidogenic cells, aberrant receptors and intra-adrenal ACTH. ARMC5 silencing in non-mutated PMAH cell cultures decreased steroidogenesis-related genes and increased CCNE1 mRNA expression and proliferative capacity without affecting cell viability. Additionally, ARMC5 overexpression induced cell death in PMAH mutated cell cultures, thereby decreasing cell viability. We confirmed the role of ARMC5 as an important pro-apoptotic protein involved in PMAH-related steroidogenesis. We also report for the first time the involvement of ARMC5 in controlling proliferation and regulating cell cycle in PMAH cell cultures; these effects need to be explored further.
Elsevier