A phosphodiesterase 11 (Pde11a) knockout mouse expressed functional but reduced Pde11a: Phenotype and impact on adrenocortical function

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 520; p. 111071
• Main Authors: Levy, Isaac, Szarek, Eva, Maria, Andrea Gutierrez, Starrost, Matthew, De La Luz Sierra, Maria, Faucz, Fabio R., Stratakis, Constantine A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 15-01-2021
• Subjects: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases - genetics; 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases - metabolism; Adrenal Cortex - enzymology; Adrenal Cortex - physiology; Adrenocortical hyperplasia; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - pharmacology; Animals; Corticosterone - pharmacology; Cortisol; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP - metabolism; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases - metabolism; Dexamethasone - pharmacology; Female; Gene Deletion; Hyperplasia; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; PDE11A gene; Phenotype; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; PDE11A gene; Cyclic AMP; Cortisol; Adrenocortical hyperplasia
• ISSN: 0303-7207; 1872-8057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111071

Phosphodiesterases catalyze the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides and maintain physiologic levels of intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine and guanosine mono-phosphate (cAMP and cGMP, respectively). Increased cAMP signaling has been associated with adrenocortical tumors and Cushing syndrome. Genetic defects in phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) may lead to increased cAMP signaling and have been found to predispose to the development of adrenocortical, prostate, and testicular tumors. A previously reported Pde11a knockout (Pde11a−/−) mouse line was studied and found to express PDE11A mRNA and protein still, albeit at reduced levels; functional studies in various tissues showed increased cAMP levels and reduced PDE11A activity. Since patients with PDE11A defects and Cushing syndrome have PDE11A haploinsufficiency, it was particularly pertinent to study this hypomorphic mouse line. Indeed, Pde11a−/− mice failed to suppress corticosterone secretion in response to low dose dexamethasone, and in addition exhibited adrenal subcapsular hyperplasia with predominant fetal-like features in the inner adrenal cortex, mimicking other mouse models of increased cAMP signaling in the adrenal cortex. We conclude that a previously reported Pde11a−/− mouse showed continuing expression and function of PDE11A in most tissues. Nevertheless, Pde11a partial inactivation in mice led to an adrenocortical phenotype that was consistent with what we see in patients with PDE11A haploinsufficiency.
•Genetic defects in PDE11A may predispose adrenocortical tumors development.•Pde11a−/− mice failed to suppress corticosterone secretion in response to low dose dexamethasone.•Phenotype of Pde11a inactivated in mice is consistent with patients with PDE11A haploinsufficiency.