title: Effects of ACTH, dexamethasone, and adrenalectomy on 11beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene expression in the rat central nervous system.
abstract: Using a highly sensitive quantitative RT-PCR method for the measurement of CYP11B1 (11beta-hydroxylase) and CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) mRNAs, we previously demonstrated that CYP11B2 expression in the central nervous system (CNS) is subject to regulation by dietary sodium. We have now quantified the expression of these genes in the CNS of male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats in response to systemic ACTH infusion, dexamethasone infusion, and to adrenalectomy. CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 mRNA levels were measured in total RNA isolated from the adrenal gland and discrete brain regions using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. ACTH infusion (40 ng/day for 7 days, N=8) significantly increased CYP11B1 mRNA in the adrenal gland, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex compared with animals infused with vehicle only. ACTH infusion decreased adrenal CYP11B2 expression but increased expression in all of the CNS regions except the cortex. Dexamethasone (10 microg/day for 7 days, N=8) reduced adrenal CYP11B1 mRNA compared with control animals but had no significant effect on either gene's expression in the CNS. Adrenalectomy (N=6 per group) significantly increased CYP11B1 expression in the hippocampus and hypothalamus and raised CYP11B2 expression in the cerebellum relative to sham-operated animals. This study confirms the transcription of CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 throughout the CNS and demonstrates that gene transcription is subject to differential regulation by ACTH and circulating corticosteroid levels.
authors.affiliation: MRC Blood Pressure Group, Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nichol
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Seckl
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: John M C
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2; D013252:Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase