title: Adrenal cortex tissue homeostasis and zonation: A WNT perspective.
abstract: The adrenal cortex plays essential roles in the control of sodium and water homeostasis, stress response, inflammation and metabolism, through secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Coordinated production of these hormones relies on functional zonation of the cortex, characterised by expression of Cyp11b2 under the control of angiotensin II and plasma potassium level in zona glomerulosa (ZG) and Cyp11b1 under the control of ACTH in zona fasciculata (ZF). The mechanisms involved in the establishment of functional zonation and its maintenance during centripetal cortex cell renewal are still poorly understood. Here, we hypothesise that the hormonal and signalling pathways that control adrenal cortex function are also involved in cortical zonation. In particular, we summarise evidence on the role of WNT/β-catenin signalling in ZG differentiation and how tight control of its activity is required to shape the adult cortex. In this context, we discuss the potential role of known WNT regulators and the possibility of a reciprocal cross-talk between PKA and WNT signalling.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Génétique Reproduction et Développement -GReD- CNRS UMR 6293, Inserm U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex 63171, France.
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drelon
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Génétique Reproduction et Développement -GReD- CNRS UMR 6293, Inserm U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex 63171, France; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1103, USA.
authors.forename: Annabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berthon
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Génétique Reproduction et Développement -GReD- CNRS UMR 6293, Inserm U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex 63171, France.
authors.forename: Mickael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Génétique Reproduction et Développement -GReD- CNRS UMR 6293, Inserm U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex 63171, France.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Génétique Reproduction et Développement -GReD- CNRS UMR 6293, Inserm U1103, Clermont Université, 24 Avenue des Landais, Aubière Cedex 63171, France. Electronic address: pierre.val@univ-bpclermont.fr.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Val
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000066673:Cell Self Renewal; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051153:Wnt Proteins
keywords: ACTH/PKA; Adrenal cortex; Differentiation; Hedgehog; WNT/β-catenin; Zonation