title: Cellular localization of cytochrome(s) P-450 metabolizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the rat adrenal cortex.
abstract: Cells were dispersed from the capsular, as well as the inner portion of female rat adrenal glands and subsequently separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. The adrenal cells were distributed within a density interval ranging from 1.016 to 1.075 g/cm3 and different subpopulations showed distinct morphological appearances in suspension, as well as in culture. The total cells from the inner portion of the adrenals metabolized [14C]7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene at a rate of 4.04 pmol/min 10(6) cells and synthesized corticosterone in response to ACTH stimulation at a rate of 1.07 micrograms/hr/10(6) cells. These activities were 4- and 2.5-fold higher, respectively, than the corresponding activities in cells isolated from the capsular portion. 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene monoxygenase activity and ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis were enriched in two subpopulations of cells obtained on the Percoll gradient and were estimated to be 13.1 pmol/min/10(6) cells and 3.21 micrograms/hr/10(6) cells, respectively, in the most active fraction (at the 1.034/1.040 g/cm3 interface). On the basis of cellular morphology, density and steroidogenic properties, it was concluded that adrenal 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene monoxygenase activity is localized mainly in the cells of the zona fasciculata.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, University of Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rydström
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000378:metabolism*; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015383:Zona Fasciculata / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D010105:Oxygenases; D003345:Corticosterone