The role of transcription factors implicated in anterior pituitary development in the aetiology of congenital hypopituitarism

The anterior pituitary gland is a central regulator of growth, reproduction and homeostasis, and is the end-product of a carefully orchestrated pattern of expression of signalling molecules and transcription factors leading to the development of this complex organ secreting six hormones from five different cell types. Naturally occurring and transgenic murine models have demonstrated a role for many of these molecules in the aetiology of combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). These include the transcription factors HESX1, PROP1, POU1F1, LHX3, LHX4, TBX19 (TPIT), SOX3 and SOX2. The expression pattern of these transcription factors, their interaction with co-factors and their impact on target genes dictate the phenotype that results when the gene encoding the relevant transcription factor is mutated. The highly variable phenotype may consist of isolated hypopituitarism, or more complex disorders such as septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and holoprosencephaly. Since mutations in any one transcription factor are uncommon, and since the overall incidence of mutations in known transcription factors is low in patients with CPHD, it is clear that many genes remain to be identified, and characterization of these will further elucidate the pathogenesis of these complex conditions, and also shed light on normal pituitary development.