Effect Of RNA Interference Silencing Gap Junction Protein 43 On Pituitary Tumor Transformation Gene Expression In Prolactin Adenoma

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cx43 on pituitary tumor transforming gene(PTTG) expression by silencing Cx43 expression using RNA interference(RNAi) in vivo. Methods:An experimental rat model of prolactinoma induced by estradiol(E2) treatment was used.Connexin43 RNAi was applied in vivo through the arachnoid space by injection of double-stranded RNA(dsRNA). Pituitary Cx43 immunostaining was examined using immunofluorescence.The changes of body mass of pituitary and histomorphology were observed.Cx43 and PTTG expression by both reverse-transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Results:1.Pituitaries treated with E2 were hypertrophic, but this was reduced by dsRNA treatment.2.Pituitary Cx43 immunofluorescence increased following E2 treatment, but returned to normal levels following dsRNA treatment.3. Estradiol induced Cx43 and PTTG expression, which decreased following dsRNA treatment. Conclusion:Altered Cx43 expression modulates PTTG expression, which correlates with prolactinoma development. Thus, inhibiting gap junction intercellular communication(GJIC) as a means of weakening the pathologic role PTTG in prolactinomas may be of therapeutic interest.