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Hypopituitarism with deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones (combined pituitary hormone deficiency or CPHD) can vary in severity and age at presentation. Additionally, the hormone abnormalities may evolve with time necessitating frequent evaluation. These hormonal deficits can also be present as part of a syndrome, with patients showing extrapituitary abnormalities such as eye or forebrain malformations. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the knowledge of the genetic cascade that orchestrates hypothalamic and pituitary development. Several transcription factors and signaling molecules are critical for cell differentiation and proliferation at a very early stage of gestation. However, more genes remain to be identified in order to provide patients with a definitive aetiology. We studied 95 children with congenital hypopituitarism from seven pediatric hospitals from Argentina. Children with non-endocrine, non-familial idiopathic short stature served as a control group (n=100). A custom exon capture panel based on single-molecule molecular inversion probes sequencing (MIPS) was performed in probands and parents. This panel tests 104 genes: including a selection of reported and candidate genes chosen from our knowledge of pituitary development in mice and PROP1 interacting proteins. We found at least 1 variant in 50 probands. The prevalence of known variants in the pituitary transcription factor genes PROP1 and PIT1 (frequently mutated in CPHD) was low in our cohort. A significant number of disease-causing variants were found in LHX3, LHX4, GLI2 and OTX2. An important advance of our study is the identification of pathogenic variants in recently discovered and novel genes. We found an heterozygous variant in the Roundabout (ROBO) receptor homolog 1 gene: ROBO1;p.Arg1504* in a patient with CPHD and septo-optic dysplasia (SOD); two variants in Steroid Receptor SRA1: p. Ile179Thr and p.Val110delinsArgLeu in a patient with CPHD and hypogonadism hypogonadotropic and a missense variant in Semaphorin 3A SEMA3A: p.Val588Leu in a case of CPHD and aortic coarctation. Our findings support evidence that the etiology of congenital hypopituitarism is highly heterogeneous and may be infrequently monogenic with full penetrance, underlying a more complex pathogenesis. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:36 p.m. - 12:41 p.m., Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Context: SRY, an architectural transcription factor containing a SOX-related high-mobility group (HMG) box, initiates testis formation in the mammalian bipotential gonadal ridge. Inherited human SRY mutations can be associated with differences in sexual differentiation (DSD) with variable phenotypes in a family. Objective: To describe the clinical, histopathological and molecular features of a novel inherited SRY allele (pMet64Val; consensus box position 9) observed within an extensive pedigree: two 46, XY sisters with primary amenorrhea (16 and 14 years of age; probands P1 and P2), their normal father and brother, and an affected paternal XY grandaunt. Design, Setting, Participants and Outcome Measurements: Following DNA sequencing to identify the SRY mutation, hormonal studies of the probands and histopathological examination of their gonads were performed. Functional consequences of p.Met64Val (and other mutations at this site) were also investigated. Results: Breast development in P1 and P2was Tanner II and IV, respectively. Müllerian structures and gonads resembling ovaries were found in each sister. Histopathology revealed gonadal dysgenesis, gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma. AMH/MIS, P450 SCC, and P450 aromatase were expressed in gonadoblastoma tissues. Variant p.Met64Val impaired Sox9 transcriptional activation associated with attenuated occupancy of the testis-specific enhancersEnh13 and TESCO. Conclusion: The partial biological activity of p.Met64Val SRY, maintained at the threshold of SRY function, rationalizes opposing paternal and proband phenotypes (the “the father-daughter paradox”).Sex steroids biosynthesis by gonadoblastoma may delay genetic diagnosis and recognition of gonadal tumors. Quantitative assessment of inherited SRY alleles highlights the tenuous transcriptional threshold of developmental decision-making in the bipotential gonadal ridge.

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.

Background: Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets (HHR) is a group of inherited disorders characterized by hypophosphatemia due to renal-phosphate wasting and impairment of vitamin D metabolism, rickets and disproportioned short stature. Different genetic defects are known to cause HHR, but similar clinical and biochemical features were reported. Dominant-X-linked HR (XLHR) is the most frequent form, with an incidence of 1 in 20.000, although dominant and recessive autosomal forms are also described. XLHR is caused by inactivating mutations in the PHEX gene (located at Xp22.1), encoding a endopeptidase which regulates the phosphaturic secretion. Affected individuals present with a broad phenotypic spectrum, ranging from isolated hypophosphatemia up to severe symptoms of rickets. Therefore NGS studies represent an useful tool for molecular diagnosis characterization Aim: to develop a reliable NGS diagnostic tool for HHR and related disorders. Patients and Methods: we develop a NGS panel including 13 genes related with HHR or other hypophosphatemic disorders, using Illumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon technology. We analyzed 12 patients which have been sent to our laboratory for molecular genetic testing under suspicion of HHR based on clinical phenotype and laboratory studies but with no proven mutation in PHEX gene by Sanger sequencing or MLPA analysis or other hypophosphatemic disorder. Results: A previously reported pathogenic variant (p.Arg153Gln) was found in SLC9A3R1 gene encoding NHERF1cotransporter, which interact with phosphate and sodium renal transporter NaPi2a in a 13 months old girl. There are only 5 reported cases with alterations in this gene and all of them were adult patients with nephrolithiasis. The patient was referred to our hospital due to hypercalcemia. She had poor weight gain and laboratory findings showed high serum calcium (16,6 mg/dl), mild serum phosphate (3.9 mg/dl), very low parathyroid hormone (PTH) (< 3 ng/ml), normal 25OHvit D (40 ng/ml) levels, and elevated urinary calcium/ creatinine rate (2), and low phosphate tubular reabsorption (85%). Ultrasound showed nephrolithiasis. Since she had hypophosphatemia and renal phosphate wasting with symptomatic severe PTH independent hypercalcemia probably secondary to excessive calcitriol production with hypercalciuria, a molecular alteration of CYP24A1 or SLC34A1genes was suspected. Conclusion: NGS allowed to report for the first time the identification of a mutation in the SLC9A3R1 gene in a pediatric patient. An early diagnosis might improve long term outcome starting the right therapy to avoid progression of nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis and chronic renal failure.

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a disorder of water balance characterized by polyuria and polydipsia owing to partial or complete deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP). Although non-hereditary causes are the most frequent, Familial CDI forms, due to heterozygous mutations in the AVP gene, have also long been recognized. Inheritance occurs mostly in an autosomal dominant manner with almost complete penetrance. The AVP gene encodes for a 164 aminoacids preprotein: the AVP preprohormone which consists of a signal peptide, AVP hormone (9 amino acidpeptide), Neurophysin II (AVP carrier), and a glycoprotein, Copeptin. The AVP preprohormone, is produced in the hypothalamus sand is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the signal peptide. After cleavage and processing, the AVP hormone is packaged within protein carrier NPII and are transported by axonal trafficking to the neurohypophysis where they can be stored and secreted. Structural changes in NPII have been associated with intracellular accumulation of mutant AVP precursors that have been postulated to be cytotoxic and decreased cell viability of vasopressin-producing neuronsin the neurohypophysis. In this study we describe two index cases from two families of four-generation kindred suspected to have Familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (FNDI), with absent or barely visibleposterior pituitary by MRI. A water deprivation test was performed in both cases, resulting confirmatory for DI in case 1 while it was inconclusive in case 2. In both cases, molecular studies revealed a pathogenic variant in heterozygous state in the NPII region of the AVP gene, in case 1 we found a previously reported and well characterized variant p.Cys116Gly, cysteine at codon 116 is involved in disulfide bridge important for the secondary structure of NPII. While in case 2 we found a novel variant, p.Gly45Val, in which all in silico tools predict deletereous, whereas there are a previously reported patogenic variant at the same amino acid residueand in 3D modeling it can be observed that structural and conformational changes occur in binding bridge of NPII. We are reporting two novel non related familial CDI cases, even though lack of functional studies, the clinical phenotype in each pedigree suggest this diagnosis, and support the genetic counseling.

The human adrenal cortex, involved in adaptive responses to stress, fluid homeostasis, and secondary sexual characteristics, arises from a tightly regulated development of a zone and cell type-specific secretory pattern. However, the molecular mechanisms governing adrenal zonation, particularly postnatal ZR development, which produces adrenal androgens in a life-time-specific manner, remain poorly understood. The hallmark of ZR is the low expression of type 2 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2). However, the mechanisms underlying HSD3B2 downregulation in the ZR remain unknown. MiRNAs are seen as regulators of cell phenotypes. The objective of the study was to compare miRNA expression profiles in human adrenal ZR and zona fasciculata (ZF). ZF and ZR were microdissected from human adrenals tissues (n=5, from boys aged 16, 17 and 19 yr and girls aged 12 and 16 yr) by laser capture microdissection (LCM). Total RNA was extracted from 5 ZF/ZR pairs and next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to perform the microRNA expression profiling. 281 mature microRNAs were identified in human adrenal cortex. Among them, 7 microRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between ZF and ZR. The expression of miR-375-3p, miR-483-3p and miR-7-5p was higher in ZR compared with its paired ZF by 2-fold or greater. Multiple available bioinformatic algorithms (TargetScan, miRanda, DianaLab and PicTar) were employed to search for its target genes. Among predicted target genes, several genes (GATA-6, GATA-4, SF1, NR4A2, and IGF-1) are known to be involved in HSD3B2 regulation. In summary, LCM combined with NGS provided a robust approach to explore the adrenal zone-specific micro-RNA profiling. Our data gave first hints that miRNAs might be novel regulatory modules associated with human adrenal ZR cell-specific transcript regulation underlying developmental androgen production.

Congenital hypopituitarism (CH), septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), and holoprosencephaly (HPE) constitute an important group of structural birth defects that cause significant morbidity and life-long consequences for quality of life and care. The genetic causes are highly overlapping. As such, these disorders can be considered as a spectrum of related disorders. Improved insight into genetic causes would be valuable for patients, families, and medical geneticists. Very few systematic genetic screens have been carried out for patients with CH. We implemented genetic screening using single-molecule molecular inversion probes sequencing to identify causative mutations in a set of 67 genes previously reported in CH patients and the spectrum encompassing SOD and HPE. We captured genomic DNA from 170 Argentinean pediatric patients with CH, and 54% of the patients in this cohort have craniofacial, ophthalmologic, and/or central nervous system defects. We found candidate pathogenic, likely pathogenic and variants uncertain significance (VUS) in 23% of the cases. In order to evaluate the functional consequences of VUS in LHX3, LHX4, and GLI2, we performed in-vitro functional assays to study the activity of the mutated proteins. To test LHX3/4 variants we co-transfected HEK293T cells with wild type (WT) or mutated LHX3/4 variant plasmids and luciferase reporter genes driven by the ɑGSU promoter or GH1 promoter and assayed for luciferase activity. For GLI2 functional analysis we used the cell line NIH/3T3-CG, stably transfected to express GFP under the presence of GLI2 activated form. Endogenous Gli2 was knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9 and clones were selected for absence of GFP expression upon activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway. We tested the ability of transfected WT or mutated GLI2 expression plasmids to restore GFP fluorescence. We concluded that variants LHX3:p.Pro187Ser LHX4:p.Arg84His, p.Gln100His and p.Trp204Leu and GLI2:p.1404Lfs impair activation of the reporter gene, while the LHX3:p.Leu220Met and GLI2:p.L761P have WT activity on their respective assays. Identification of disease-causing variants in CH is complicated by phenotypic variation, incomplete penetrance, and VUS. Functional testing of potentially pathogenic variants is critical to arrive at a definitive molecular diagnosis. A full catalogue of variant effects in known causative genes would be invaluable for clinicians in order to simplify the interpretation of novel variants and reduce the diagnostic odyssey that families often experience.

Pituitary hormone deficiency or hypopituitarism is characterized by a malformed or underdeveloped pituitary gland resulting in an impaired pituitary hormone secretion. Several transcription factors have been described in its etiology, but defects in known genes account for only a small proportion of cases. We sought to identify the cause of hypopituitarism 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 among other genes and variants, de novo heterozygous mutations in FOXA2 and PNPLA6. FOXA2 is a transcription factor member of the forkhead class of DNA-binding proteins, involved in the early development of multiple tissues. FOXA2 is highly expressed throughout the developing hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and regulates GLI2, SHH and NKX2-2 expression. Mutations of FOXA2 have been linked to combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) in some cases with extra-pituitary phenotypes including hyperinsulinism or gastrointestinal malformations. We found two patients with CPHD and rare FOXA2 variants. Case 1 had GHD, anterior pituitary hypoplasia, mammary hypertelorism and digital anomalies and a heterozygous variant FOXA2 p.Arg228Ser, predicted to be pathogenic. Case 2 had GH and TSH deficiency, craniofacial anomalies and neurodevelopmental delay, and a novel, stop codon mutation FOXA2 p.Ser229* and an heterozygous GLI1 variant (p.Asp1048Asn). Both FOXA2 variants are located within the forkhead domain which may affect the DNA binding ability. We suspect they are likely damaging based on the literature, the in-silico prediction, and their absence in GnomAD. PNPLA6 is a conserved lysophospholipase involved in maintaining nervous system integrity. Mutations in PNPLA6 have been identified in a broad spectrum from pure ataxia to rare neuroendocrine conditions including Gordon Holmes and Oliver McFarlane syndromes. Here, we identified two de novo heterozygous variants in PNPLA6 in children with CPHD. Variant p.W1039R was found in a patient with CPHD, intellectual disability and visual problems. A second variant (p.T1115P) was identified in a 10-year-old girl with CPHD, retinitis pigmentosa and neurodevelopmental delay. According to modelling studies of the protein structure, both variants are expected to be critical for the activity of the NTE as they are located in close proximity to the protein’s catalytic pocket. It is likely that these variants may contribute to our patient’s phenotype. However, as most reported PNPLA6 variants in the literature were found in homozygosity or compound heterozygosity, additional studies are necessary to draw more definitive genotype-phenotype correlations. In summary, in this work we were able to expand our knowledge of pituitary target genes for genetic diagnosis for CH.

Carriers of germline DICER1 mutations are predisposed to a rare cancer syndrome, the DICER1 syndrome, associated with tumours such as pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours (SLCT), multinodular goiter (MNG), cystic nephroma (CN), embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and others. Germline mutations in DICER1 cause an alteration in miRNAs processing, deregulating target oncogenes and leading to elevated risk of tumorigenesis. In most reported cases, there is a heterozygous germline mutation and a somatic second hit mutation. Aim: Analyze the presence of germline and somatic alterations in the DICER1 gene in 6 patients with paediatric tumours associated with DICER1 spectrum. Methods: Automated sequencing of DICER1 gene from gDNA extracted from blood and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour tissues of affected subjects and relatives. Cases: 5 girls (P1-P5) and 1 boy (P6), (P1: bilateral SLCT, P2 and P3: SLCT and MNG, P4: MNG and uterine myosarcoma, P5: vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma, and P6: CN). Chronological age at diagnostic was 5, 12, 15, 16, 13 y 2, respectively. Results: We detected 5 novel heterozygous mutations: p.Trp1098* in P1, p.Phe351fs*1 in P2, p.Arg1596Glyfs*24 in P4, c.3269+1G>A in P5, p.Asp244Glyfs*27 in P6, and one previously described heterozygous deletion p.Asp1437Metfs*16 in P3.These mutations (P1-P4 and P6) predict the presence of a truncated protein losing its essential domains for the enzymatic activity and, in one P5 an alteration in the splicing process. The tissue analysis revealed p.Asp1709Glu in MNG and p.Glu1705Lys in SLCT in P2, and p.Glu1705Lys in MNG in P3,previously described as hotspot somatic mutations. Conclusions: We report five novel germinal mutations in DICER1 gene and two somatic hotspot mutations in MNG and SLCT tissue samples. These findings confirm that a second hit event is involved in the mechanism of MNG and SLCT development. Molecular analysis of DICER1 gene allows to perform genetic counselling about familial recurrence risk.

Congenital hypopituitarism occurs in 1/3,000 - 1/10,000 live births and is highly variable phenotypically. The condition is life-long and life-threatening if untreated. Diagnosis remains a challenge, particularly in the neonatal period. There is a need for better diagnosis that would lead to improved prognosis and treatment. We recently implemented a novel and cost-effective approach based on Molecular Inversion Probe Sequencing (MIPS) to identify novel variants and candidate genes in sporadic trios and familial cases of combined pituitary deficiency (CPHD) in the absence or presence of any midline defects or optic nerve hypoplasia, and isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). We captured 693 coding exons of 30 known genes and 37 candidate genes from studies in mice. We captured genomic DNA from 181 pediatric patients with CPHD or IGHD and 115 relatives and conducted next generation sequencing. We obtained a 600X average coverage per sample over targeted regions. We scored rare variants as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or variants with uncertain significance that are predicted to be damaging using at least 3 independent software programs. We identified such variants in known genes (GH1, GLI2, LHX3, LHX4, PNPLA6, and HESX1) and in new candidate genes that require additional evidence demonstrating causality (BMP2, ACVRL1 and WDR11). GLI2 heterozygous loss of function mutations have been reported in over 50 patients with CPHD and variable associated features. We identified a GLI2 p.Leu761Phe variant in a patient with a complex phenotype, including GH and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) deficiencies, hypoplasia of the anterior lobe, arachnoid cyst, right cerebellar hemisphere hypoplasia, myopia and astigmatism, neonatal insipidus diabetes, speech neurodevelopmental delay and mild left foot paresis. We performed functional assays in cell culture and preliminary results suggested that GLI2 p.Leu761Phe has a gain of function effect on transcription. We hypothesize that this mutation affects the acetylation of the nearby p.Lys757 by modifying the recognition site of p300 acetylase. Acetylation of GLI2 at this lysine is a critical regulated step, controlling the activation status of the Hedgehog pathway, which is a major regulator of embryonic development. Further work is needed to demonstrate this effect. In summary, using the first comprehensive screening panel for known genes and candidates for congenital hypopituitarism, we identified variants that are likely disease-causing in about 30% of the cases. Identifying pathogenic variants will make it feasible to predict clinical outcomes from genetic data, which is necessary for patient diagnosis and prognosis, and for assessing the risk of future affected individuals.

Children with Hereditary Hyphophosphatemic Rickets (HHR) are characterized by hypophosphatemia, rickets and disproportionate short stature. Aim: To analyze growth pattern in height (H) and body proportions during childhood and puberty in a cohort of 96 children, 29 males (M), 67 females (F), with HHR treated with standard dosis of phosphorus and calcitriol followed in a single center. Methods: Body proportions were evaluated by sitting height/height (SH/H) ratio. Patients were divided in 2 groups (G) according to their compliance to treatment: good (G1) and poor (G2). Pubertal growth was evaluated by Preece Baines model 1in 19 patients (8 M, 11 F), while adult H was achieved in 42 patients (13 M, 29 F). Molecular characterization of PHEX gene was performed by automated sequencing analysis in 27 cases (8 familiar, 15 sporadic). Results: Birth weights and lengths were no different from national reference data in both sexes. At first appointment, median (range) age (years): 3.5 (0.2/14.6); H SDS: -2.3 (0.6/-5.88) and SH/H ratio SDS: 3.4 (-1.7/10.4). Mean growth velocity SDS (+/-SD) at take off was significantly higher in G1: -0.7 (0.6) than in G2: -2.6 (0.8) (pA, Ex2 deletion, p.Gln666Ter, p.Gln682IlefsTer36, p.Met98SerfsTer10) were pathogenic by in silico tools. Conclusions: Patients with HHR were born with adequate length for gestational age. Short stature and body disproportion was already found at diagnosis. During childhood and puberty, growth retardation and body disproportions were maintained in G1 while were aggravated in G2. Consequently, adult H and body proportions were significantly better in G1. Early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment improve adult H and body proportions prognosis. Frequency of PHEX mutations was similar to other cohorts reported. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. Abstracts presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

Differences of sex development (DSDs) comprise a group of congenital conditions, affecting human sex determination and/or differentiation. Patients with DSD are classified in: sex chromosome DSD, 46,XY DSD and 46,XX DSD. Gonadal germ cell tumors(GCC) are more prevalent in individuals with DSD. The aim was to characterize the precursor lesions of GCC in 46,XX DSD testicular (T) / ovotesticular (OT) gonads in prepubertal patients. We studied 25 gonads of 14 46,XX DSD patients. The age of the first biopsy was 14 (1.16-50) months (median and range). Molecular studies confirmed the absence of SRY by PCR and/or MLPA in blood DNA of all and in DNA from available gonads of 8 patients. Samples were classified as T, ovarian (O) or OT parenchyma, undifferentiated gonadal tissue (UGT) and gonadoblastoma (GB). Immunohistochemical (IHC) studies was used to identify Sertoli cells (SOX9), ovarian follicular cells (FOXL2), somatic cells (Inhibin B), germ cells (CD117), pluripotent germ cells (OCT3/4), and steroidogenic cells (HSD3B2 and CYP17A1). Twenty one gonads (12 patients) were OT, while 4 gonads (2 patients)were T. No histological alterations were found in the O. In T parenchyma signs of dysgenesis in all cases were found. In 6/21 gonads with OT (29%) a pattern of streak with clusters of germ cells was found (UGT). Structures like GB were found in 7/21 gonads with OT. The two OT of one patient showed UGT and GB and in both positive Inhibin B expression was observed. SOX9 staining allowed diagnosing as seminiferous cords in some hard-to-identify structures. FOXL2 was positive in all GB, and SOX9 expression was found in 3/7 GB. FOXL2 and SOX9 was positive in 3/6 UGT. OCT3/4 was positive in 2/7 GB and in 3/6 UGT and the presence of germ cells was also confirmed by CD117 positive staining. In all samples positive expression of HSD3B2 and CYP17A1 revealed the presence of steroidogenic cells. Regarding the patients with OT, in 3/12 the first biopsy showed only T tissue and a second biopsy revealed ovarian or OT tissue. In contrast to previously reported (1) high expression of SOX9 in GB was detected suggesting the presence of T somatic cells. A careful histological analysis including IHC markers is crucial to achieve a rigorous characterization of 46XX DSD gonads. These results reinforce the concept of the requirement of a close clinical follow up of DSD patients. 1)Hersmus R et al. J Pathol 2008; 215:31-38

Estrogens play important role in the placenta throughout the gestation. Human placenta (PL) expresses high levels of ERRγ type 1 isoform as well as Aromatase (Aro).ERRγ1has also be described as possibly implicated in the regulation of theenergy metabolism in PL, however its physiological role is not yet clear.Aro is the key enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis from androgens and in human placenta is expressed exclusively in syncytiotrophoblast. It has been described that ERRγ serves as an oxygen-responsive transcription factor that regulates Aro gene expression in PL.We have previously described splicing variants of AromRNA(1-2). Our aim was to analyze ERRγ1 mRNA expression and Aro mRNA active variant expression in PL from term LGA and preterm (PT) (

The development of organisms is regulated by a fine-tuned gene-regulatory network, which is driven by transcription factors (TFs). In the embryogenesis, these TFs control diverse cell fates and final body plan. This is precisely regulated by a specific DNA-binding process and enhanceosome formation. A model is provided by testis determination in mammals, which is initiated by a Y-encoded architectural transcription factor, SRY. Mutations in SRY cause gonadal dysgenesis leading to various developmental defects. Such mutations cluster in SRY’s high mobility group (HMG) box, a sequence-specific DNA-binding domain shared by a conserved family of TFs. Here, we have characterized several mutations at the same position in HMG box, which are compatible with either male or female phenotypes as observed in an XY father and XY daughter, respectively. These mutations, at a function-unknown motif in the SRY HMG box, markedly disturb the specific DNA affinity. On transient transfection of human and rodent cell lines, the SRY variants exhibit decreased specific DNA-binding activity (relative to wild type) are associated with mis-formed enhanceosomes. The variants’ gene regulatory activities were reduced by 2-fold relative to wild-type SRY at similar levels of mRNA expression. When engineered mutations that functions to increase the DNA-binding specificity were deployed to SRY variants, the transcriptional activity was in association with restored occupancy of sex-specific enhancer elements in principal downstream gene Sox9. Our findings define a novel mechanism of impaired organogenesis, disturbed specific DNA-binding activity of a master transcription factor, leading to a developmental decision poised at the edge of ambiguity.