Gene array analysis of XXXX confirms clinical heterogeneity and identifies several candidate genes as molecular mediators.

@entity1 @entity5 @entity29587 @entity70992 @entity16663 @entity1636 @entity701 @entity4186 @entity3317 @entity2661 @entity22026 @entity774
@entity3317 (ACTH)-independent @entity774 ( @entity29587 ) is a heterogeneous condition in which @entity701 secretion may be mediated by @entity70992 ( @entity70992 ), vasopressin, @entity2661 and other hormones. We studied the expression profile of @entity29587 by genomic cDNA microarray analysis. Total RNA was extracted from eight tissues (three @entity70992 -dependent) and compared to total RNA obtained from adrenal glands from 62 normal subjects. Genes had to be altered in 75% of the @entity1 , and be up- or downregulated at a cutoff ratio of at least 2.0; 82 and 31 genes were found to be consistently up- and downregulated, respectively. Among the former were regulators of transcription, chromatin remodeling, and cell cycle and adhesion. Downregulated sequences included genes involved in immune responses and insulin signaling. Hierarchical clustering correlated with the two main @entity29587 diagnostic groups: @entity70992 -dependent and non- @entity70992 -dependent. The genes encoding the @entity22026 protein ( @entity22026 ) and @entity4186 ( @entity4186 ) were specifically overexpressed in the @entity70992 -dependent @entity29587 . For these, and six more genes, the data were validated by semiquantitative amplification in samples from a total of 32 @entity1 (the original eight, six more cases of @entity29587 , and 18 other @entity1636 and @entity5 ) and the H295R @entity16663 cell line. In conclusion, our data confirmed @entity29587 's clinical heterogeneity by identifying molecularly distinct diagnostic subgroups. Several candidate genes that may be responsible for @entity29587 formation and/or progression were also identified, suggesting pathways that affect the cell cycle, adhesion and transcription as possible mediators of @entity1636 .
