title: Ontogeny and regulation of the AT1 and AT2 receptors in the ovine fetal adrenal gland.
abstract: The expression and regulation of the receptors for angiotensin II (both AT1 and AT2) were examined in the ovine fetal adrenal gland by RNase protection assay (RPA), in situ hybridisation histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Both mRNA and protein for the AT1 receptor were present in the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata of the cortex, but not in the medulla, from as early as these zonas were distinguishable (60 days of gestation; term is 145-150 days), and even present in the steroidogenic cells of the unzoned gland at 40 days. The mRNA for the AT2 receptor was present in the same locations (but never in the medulla) from 40-130 days, and declined to extremely low levels after 140 days. The infusion of ang II, 1 microg/h, for 3 days, at mid-gestation (76 +/- 2 days) caused a significant decrease in mRNA for AT1 but no change in AT2 levels. Thus, the biologically active receptor (in terms of aldosterone stimulation) is present in the ovine fetal adrenal from very early in development, and can be down-regulated by mid-gestation.
authors.affiliation: Howard Florey Institute of Physiology and Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. mwc@hfi.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wintour
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butkus
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albiston
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tenis
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000196:embryology; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D005865:Gestational Age; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases; D012260:Ribonucleases