The adrenal: a new target organ of the calciotropic hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
Target cells for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were demonstrated in the adrenal medulla by frozen-section autoradiography. The appearance of these target cells was age-dependent in neonatal mice. Immunocytochemical staining for phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase revealed that both epinephrine and non-epinephrine cells concentrate 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in their nuclei. In contrast, immunocytochemical staining for "vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein" (D-CaBP) demonstrated that D-CaBP immunoreactivity is localized in only a small percentage of adrenomedullary cells, in mice and rats. Comparison of PNMT and D-CaBP immunoreactivities in sequential sections showed that epinephrine-producing cells do not contain D-CaBP. These results indicate that adrenal medullary cells have receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may directly affect certain functions of these endocrine cells.
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D051379:Mice; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000378:metabolism
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D002117:Calcitriol