Nature Communications (Apr 2021)

Activating mutations in BRAF disrupt the hypothalamo-pituitary axis leading to hypopituitarism in mice and humans

  • Angelica Gualtieri,
  • Nikolina Kyprianou,
  • Louise C. Gregory,
  • Maria Lillina Vignola,
  • James G. Nicholson,
  • Rachael Tan,
  • Shin-ichi Inoue,
  • Valeria Scagliotti,
  • Pedro Casado,
  • James Blackburn,
  • Fernando Abollo-Jimenez,
  • Eugenia Marinelli,
  • Rachael E. J. Besser,
  • Wolfgang Högler,
  • I. Karen Temple,
  • Justin H. Davies,
  • Andrey Gagunashvili,
  • Iain C.A.F. Robinson,
  • Sally A. Camper,
  • Shannon W. Davis,
  • Pedro R. Cutillas,
  • Evelien F. Gevers,
  • Yoko Aoki,
  • Mehul T. Dattani,
  • Carles Gaston-Massuet

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21712-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 18

Abstract

Read online

Mutations in components of the MAP kinase pathway are associated with a group of syndromes known as RASopathies. Here, the authors identify gain-of-function mutations in BRAF in patients with RASopathies and congenital hypopituitarisms. This article demonstrates a central role for BRAF in the development of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis leading to endocrine deficiencies in patients with RASopathies.