title: Pref-1, SF-1 and adrenocortical zonation.
abstract: The stimulation of the zona glomerulosa phenotype by a low sodium diet is characterised by increased expression of aldosterone synthase accompanied by increases in (pro)renin, bFGF, c-fos and c-jun gene transcription. In contrast ACTH diminishes the specific glomerulosa phenotype. The EGF related transmembrane protein preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) is specifically found in the zona glomerulosa and medulla of the adult rat adrenal as well as being expressed in fetal tissue. In addition the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1/Ad4bp considered to be an important factor in fetal adrenocortical development and differentiation may also have a role in zonal differentiation in the adult. To investigate their roles, adrenals were taken from adult Wistar rats maintained on a low sodium diet or ACTH treated (enhancing or diminishing zona glomerulosa function respectively) and compared with untreated controls. Localisation of Pref-1 was carried out by immunocytochemistry using the polyclonal antibody ZOG (anti Pref-1) and of SF-1 using a rabbit antiserum to SF-1. The experimental treatment resulted in a decrease and increase in Pref-1 expression in ACTH treated and low sodium diet treated rats respectively, in accordance with changes in abundance of glomerulosa cells. SF-1 expression was expected throughout the adrenal cortex, without zonal differentiation, though somewhat decreased by ACTH treatment. Of these two factors, only Pref-1 can be considered to have a role in zonal differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Queen Mary and Westfield College, London, UK.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Puddefoot
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Vinson
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D012016:Reference Values; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015384:Zona Glomerulosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C512923:Dlk1 protein, rat; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone