Moreover, inactivating PTCH mutations may affect the hormone homeostasis of the pituitary since patients with heterozygous PTCH germline mutation (Gorlin-Goltz-Syndrome) as well as heterozygous Ptch knockout mice occasionally develop acromegaly-like symptoms10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. The gene discussed is PTCH1; the disease is acromegaly.