The pituitary gland cell type enriched transcriptomeThe pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, with a crucial role in regulating many bodily functions. It consists of two main lobes: the anterior lobe, which produces and releases several important hormones such as growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone, and the posterior lobe, which is highly enervated, and stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus. Connected to the hypothalamus through blood vessels and nerve fibres, the pituitary gland forms part of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, controlling various physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response. โ 1463 genes were predicted to have cell type specificity in the pituitary gland. โ Pituitary gland cell type enriched transcriptome: SummaryGenes with predicted cell type specificity within pituitary gland are detailed in Table 1. Identified genes are subdivided into 3 specificity categories, based on the difference between the enrichment score in the corresponding cell type, compared to the other cell types profiled in the tissue (see Methods Summary page for details):
Pituitary gland cell type enriched transcriptome: Illustrative examplesCorticotropesCorticotropes make up about 20% of the anterior pituitary cells. These cells synthesize and release adrenocorticotropic hormone, cleaved from Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), which stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and other steroid hormones. Other genes classified as having specificity in corticotropes included the neuropeptide galanin (GAL).
GonadotropesGonadotropes secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHB) and luteinizing hormone (LHB), which are essential for reproductive function.
LactotropesLactotropes produce and release prolactin (PRL), which is important for milk production in mammals, and they express the transcription factor Pituitary-specific positive transcription factor 1 (POU1F1).
SomatotropesSomatotropes are the most abundant cell type in the anterior pituitary, comprising 30-50% of the gland. They produce and secrete growth hormone (GH1), which is crucial for regulating body growth and metabolism. Other genes classified as having specificity in somatotropes included Delta Like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 (DLK1).
ThyrotropesThyrotropes constitute 3-5% of the anterior pituitary cells. They produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHB), which regulates the function of the thyroid gland, and they express the transcription factor GATA Binding Protein 2 (GATA2). |