title: Demonstration of glucocorticoid receptors in the adrenal cortex: evidence for a direct dexamethasone suppressive effect on the rat adrenal gland.
abstract: The adrenal cortex was evaluated for the presence of glucocorticoid receptors and functions. Substantial binding of [3H]dexamethasone was observed in aminoglutethimide-treated, hypophysectomized, and intact rats. Further studies demonstrated binding in cultured bovine adrenocortical cells and in Y-1 cells, a cloned murine cell line of adrenal cortical origin. Scatchard analysis of specific binding data in cytosol from hypophysectomized rats revealed an apparent Kd of approximately 15 nM and a receptor content (Nmax) of 123 fmol/mg cytosol protein. Analysis of Y-1 cell cytosol showed a Kd of approximately 17 nM and Nmax of 190 fmol/mg protein. The binding site in hypophysectomized rats had the following steroid specificities: high affinity for dexamethasone, corticosterone, and progesterone; moderate affinity for 11 beta-cortisol, and low affinity for testosterone, estradiol, pregnenolone, and 11 alpha-cortisol. Sedimentation in sucrose density gradients revealed 8S binding peaks in cytosols prepared from intact rat adrenal glands, Y-1 cells, and cultured bovine adrenocortical cells. Time- and temperature-dependent nuclear uptake of [3H]dexamethasone in Y-1 cells was demonstrated. In vivo treatment of hypophysectomized rats with dexamethasone significantly enhanced the rate of adrenal atrophy. ACTH stimulation tests in hypophysectomized rats showed a decreased corticosterone response in dexamethasone-treated rats compared to that in control animals. However, in vitro, there was no evidence for an effect of dexamethasone on ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production. The data indicate that the adrenal cortex possesses a high affinity binding site that fulfills the criteria for a glucocorticoid receptor. Glucocorticoid administration enhances adrenal atrophy and impairs adrenal function. We speculate that this action contributes to the suppressive effect of glucocorticoids on the pituitary-adrenal axis.
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide