title: Adrenomedullin in the adrenal.
abstract: Adrenomedullin (AM) was originally characterized in extracts of an adrenal medullary tumor. Since this original finding the peptide and its mRNA have also been found in the adrenal cortex, specifically, in the cells of the aldosterone-secreting zona glomerulosa. It is clear that the synthesis of AM is actively regulated in both cortex and medulla. Much research effort has been focused on identifying a role for AM in the adrenal gland. To date, no consistent effect on medullary catecholamine biosynthesis has been demonstrated. In the cortex the actions of AM are controversial and appear to depend on both the tissue preparation used and on the specific receptor population expressed in the individual gland. The results of further studies on the long-term actions of AM on adrenal growth and differentiation are awaited with interest.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Signaling Group, Clinical Sciences Research Centre, Barts & the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, London E1 2AD, UK.
authors.forename: Supriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapas
authors.forename: Joy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hinson
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000378:metabolism*; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D053607:Adrenomedullin