Bovine Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells Research Articles

Protein kinase C and Src family kinases mediate angiotensin II-induced protein kinase D activation and acute aldosterone production

Recent evidence has shown a role for the serine/threonine protein kinase D (PKD) in the regulation of acute aldosterone secretion upon angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation. However, the mechanism by which AngII activates PKD remains unclear. In this study, using both pharmacological and molecular approaches, we demonstrate that AngII-induced PKD activation is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and Src family kinases in primary bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells and leads to increased aldosterone production. The pan PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 and the Src family kinase inhibitors PP2 and Src-1 inhibited both PKD activation and acute aldosterone production. Additionally, like the dominant-negative serine-738/742-to-alanine PKD mutant that cannot be phosphorylated by PKC, the dominant-negative tyrosine-463-to-phenylalanine PKD mutant, which is not phosphorylatable by the Src/Abl pathway, inhibited acute AngII-induced aldosterone production. Taken together, our results demonstrate that AngII activates PKD via a mechanism involving Src family kinases and PKC, to underlie increased aldosterone production.

Angiotensin II-Induced Protein Kinase D Activates the ATF/CREB Family of Transcription Factors and Promotes StAR mRNA Expression

Aldosterone synthesis is initiated upon the transport of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the cholesterol is hydrolyzed to pregnenolone. This process is the rate-limiting step in acute aldosterone production and is mediated by the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. We have previously shown that angiotensin II (AngII) activation of the serine/threonine protein kinase D (PKD) promotes acute aldosterone production in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, but the mechanism remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the downstream signaling effectors of AngII-stimulated PKD activity. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of the constitutively active serine-to-glutamate PKD mutant enhances, whereas the dominant-negative serine-to-alanine PKD mutant inhibits, AngII-induced StAR mRNA expression relative to the vector control. PKD has been shown to phosphorylate members of the activating transcription factor (ATF)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) family of leucine zipper transcription factors, which have been shown previously to bind the StAR proximal promoter and induce StAR mRNA expression. In primary glomerulosa cells, AngII induces ATF-2 and CREB phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, overexpression of the constitutively active PKD mutant enhances the AngII-elicited phosphorylation of ATF-2 and CREB, and the dominant-negative mutant inhibits this response. Furthermore, the constitutively active PKD mutant increases the binding of phosphorylated CREB to the StAR promoter. Thus, these data provide insight into the previously reported role of PKD in AngII-induced acute aldosterone production, providing a mechanism by which PKD may be mediating steroidogenesis in primary bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Mechanism of ANP and BNP Action on the Suppression of Aldosterone Secretion by Cultured Bovine Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

Mechanism of ANP and BNP Action on the Suppression of Aldosterone Secretion by Cultured Bovine Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

Angiotensin‐II induced protein kinase D activation via src kinase and protein kinase C mediates aldosterone secretion in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of angiotensin II (AngII) induced protein kinase D (PKD) activation in modulating aldosterone secretion in bovine adrenal glomerulosa (BAG) cells.MethodsAdenoviral vectors were used to overexpress S738/742A PKD mutant which is not phosphorylatable by protein kinase C (PKC), Y463F PKD mutant, and Src wildtype as well as a dominant negative K296R/Y528F Src mutant. Supernatants were stored for aldosterone assay, and the cells processed for immunoblot analysis. Samples were immunoprecipitated with either PKD, or anti‐phosphotyrosine antibodies and reciprocally blotted. Blots were quantified and statistically significant differences were determined when p<0.05.ResultsOverexpression of non‐phosphorylatable S738/742A and the Y463F PKD mutants downregulated PKD activation and decreased acute (30‐minute) aldosterone secretion. The dominant negative K296R/Y528F Src mutant, which blocks Src activation, attenuated PKD phosphorylation and aldosterone secretion. AngII induced an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of PKD presumably at the tyrosine 463 residue.ConclusionAngiotensin II (AngII) activates protein kinase D in BAG cells via a mechanism involving Src kinase and PKC, to underlie increased aldosterone production.Funding SupportNational Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood InstituteAmerican Heart Association

Phospholipase D2 Mediates Acute Aldosterone Secretion in Response to Angiotensin II in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

In primary bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, the signaling enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) is suggested to mediate priming, the enhancement of aldosterone secretion after pretreatment with and removal of angiotensin II (AngII), via the formation of persistently elevated diacylglycerol (DAG). To further explore PLD's role in priming, glomerulosa cells were pretreated with an exogenous bacterial PLD. Using this approach, phosphatidic acid (PA) is generated on the outer, rather than the inner, leaflet of the plasma membrane. Although PA is not readily internalized, the PA is nonetheless rapidly hydrolyzed by cell-surface PA phosphatases to DAG, which efficiently flips to the inner leaflet and accesses the cell interior. Pretreatment with bacterial PLD resulted in priming upon subsequent AngII exposure, supporting a role of DAG in this process, because the increase in DAG persisted after exogenous PLD removal. To determine the PLD isoform mediating aldosterone secretion, and presumably priming, primary glomerulosa cells were infected with adenoviruses expressing GFP, PLD1, PLD2, or lipase-inactive mutants. Overexpressed PLD2 increased aldosterone secretion by approximately 3-fold over the GFP-infected control under basal conditions, with a significant enhancement to about 16-fold over the basal value upon AngII stimulation. PLD activity was also increased basally and upon stimulation with AngII. In contrast, PLD1 overexpression had little effect on aldosterone secretion, despite the fact that PLD activity was enhanced. In both cases, the lipase-inactive PLD mutants showed essentially no effect on PLD activity or aldosterone secretion. Our results suggest that PLD2 is the isoform that mediates aldosterone secretion and likely priming.

Angiotensin II-activated protein kinase D mediates acute aldosterone secretion

Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin II (AngII)-aldosterone system can contribute to cardiovascular disease, such that an understanding of this system is critical. Diacylglycerol-sensitive serine/threonine protein kinase D (PKD) is activated by AngII in several systems, including the human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line NCI H295R, where this enzyme enhances chronic (24 h) AngII-evoked aldosterone secretion. However, the role of PKD in acute AngII-elicited aldosterone secretion has not been previously examined. In primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, which secrete detectable quantities of aldosterone in response to secretagogues within minutes, PKD was activated in response to AngII, but not an elevated potassium concentration or adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This activation was time- and dose-dependent and occurred through the AT1, but not the AT2, receptor. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of constitutively active PKD resulted in enhanced AngII-induced aldosterone secretion; whereas overexpression of a dominant-negative PKD construct decreased AngII-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that PKD mediates acute AngII-induced aldosterone secretion.

The role of calcium influx pathways in phospholipase D activation in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells

The steroid hormone aldosterone maintains sodium homeostasis and is therefore important in the control of blood volume and pressure. Angiotensin II (AngII) and elevated extracellular potassium concentrations ([K(+)](e)), the prime physiologic regulators of aldosterone secretion from adrenal glomerulosa cells, activate phospholipase D (PLD) in these cells. The role of Ca(2+) in the activation by these agents is unknown, although nitrendipine, a voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel antagonist, does not inhibit AngII-elicited PLD activation, despite the fact that this compound blocked elevated [K(+)](e)-stimulated PLD activity. PLD activation triggered by AngII was also unaffected by the T-type calcium channel inhibitor nickel. Nevertheless, Ca(2+) influx was required for AngII-induced PLD activation in both primary cultures of bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells and a glomerulosa cell model, the NCI H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cell line. The involvement of store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) influx and Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) influx pathways in PLD activation was investigated using thapsigargin, an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor that empties the store to induce SOC influx, and the SOC inhibitor YM-58483 (BTP2), as well as a CRAC inhibitor, tyrphostin A9. In bovine glomerulosa cells, tyrphostin A9 inhibited AngII-induced PLD activation without affecting elevated [K(+)](e)-stimulated enzyme activity. On the other hand, differences were observed between the bovine adrenal glomerulosa and H295R cells in the involvement of Ca(2+) influx pathways in PLD activation, with the involvement of the SOC pathway suggested in the H295R cells. In summary, our results indicate that Ca(2+) entry only through certain Ca(2+) influx pathways is linked to PLD activation.

Both TASK-3 and TREK-1 two-pore loop K channels are expressed in H295R cells and modulate their membrane potential and aldosterone secretion

The rate of aldosterone synthesis by adrenal glomerulosa cells relies on the selective permeability of the glomerulosa cell to K(+) ions. In rodent and bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, this background potassium current is provided by a two-pore loop potassium (K2P) channel: largely TASK-3 in the rat and TREK-1 in the cow. The nature of the K2P channel in the human adrenal cortex is not known, and we have addressed this issue here using the H295R human adrenal cell line. We show that these cells express mRNA and protein for both TASK-3 and TREK-1 K2P channels. Using a potentiometric dye (FMP), we also show that TASK-3 and TREK-1 channel modulators can affect the membrane potential of H295R cells. Transfecting H295R cells with TASK-3 or TREK-1 dominant-negative mutants (TASK-3 G95E or TREK-1 G144E) produced depolarization of H295R cells and altered K-stimulated aldosterone secretion. Finally, transfection of a constitutively active mutant of Galpha(q) into H295R cells (GTPase-deficient Galpha(q)-QL) depolarized them and increased basal aldosterone secretion. Taken together, our data support both TASK-3 and TREK-1 as being functionally operational in the H295R cell line. This suggests that human adrenal glomerulosa cells may utilize both of these K2P channels for their background potassium current.

Angiotensin II-Induced Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase-1 Expression in Bovine Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells: Implications in Mineralocorticoid Biosynthesis

Angiotensin II (AngII) stimulates aldosterone biosynthesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex. AngII also triggers the MAPK pathways (ERK1/2 and p38). Because ERK1/2 phosphorylation is a transient process, phosphatases could play a crucial role in the acute steroidogenic response. Here we show that the dual specificity (threonine/tyrosine) MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is present in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells in primary culture and that AngII markedly increases its expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 1 nm), a maximum of 548 +/- 10% of controls being reached with 10 nm AngII after 3 h (n = 3, P < 0.01). This effect is completely abolished by losartan, a blocker of the AT(1) receptor subtype. Moreover, this AngII-induced MKP-1 expression is reduced to 250 +/- 35% of controls (n = 3, P < 0.01) in the presence of U0126, an inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting an involvement of the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway in MKP-1 induction. Indeed, shortly after AngII-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (220% of controls at 30 min), MKP-1 protein expression starts to increase. This increase is associated with a reduction in ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which returns to control values after 3 h of AngII challenge. Enhanced MKP-1 expression is essentially due to a stabilization of MKP-1 mRNA. AngII treatment leads to a 53-fold increase in phosphorylated MKP-1 levels and a doubling of MKP-1 phosphatase activity. Overexpression of MKP-1 results in decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and aldosterone production in response to AngII stimulation. These results strongly suggest that MKP-1 is the specific phosphatase induced by AngII and involved in the negative feedback mechanism ensuring adequate ERK1/2-mediated aldosterone production in response to the hormone.

Mechanisms of endothelin-1-induced MAP kinase activation in adrenal glomerulosa cells

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as angiotensin II, bradykinin and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are critically involved in the regulation of adrenal function, including aldosterone production from zona glomerulosa cells. Whereas, substantial data are available on the signaling mechanisms of ET-1 in cardiovascular tissues, such information in adrenal glomerulosa cells is lacking. Bovine adrenal glomerulosa (BAG) cells express receptors for endothelin-1 (ET-1) and their stimulation caused phosphorylation of Src (at Tyr416), proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2 at Tyr402), extracellularly regulated signal kinases (ERK1/2), and their dependent proteins, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK-1) and CREB. ET-1 elicited these responses predominantly through activation of a G i-linked cascade with a minor contribution from the G q/PKC pathway. Whereas, selective inhibition of EGF-R kinase with AG1478 caused complete inhibition of EGF-induced ERK/RSK-1/CREB activation, it caused only partial reduction (30–40%) of such ET-1-induced responses. Consistent with this, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with GM6001 reduced ERK1/2 activation by ET-1, consistent with partial involvement of the MMP-dependent EGF-R activation in this cascade. Activation of ERK/RSK-1/CREB by both ET-1 and EGF was abolished by inhibition of Src, indicating its central role in ET-1 signaling in BAG cells. Moreover, the signaling characteristics of ET-1 in cultured BAG cells closely resembled those observed in clonal adrenocortical H295R cells. The ET-1-induced proliferation of BAG and H295 R cells was much smaller than that induced by Ang II or FGF. These data demonstrate that ET-1 causes ERK/RSK-1/CREB phosphorylation predominantly through activation of G i and Src, with a minor contribution from MMP-dependent EGF-R transactivation.

Characterization and Phospholipase D Mediation of the Angiotensin II Priming Response in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

Bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells are primed by an initial treatment with angiotensin II (AngII) to respond with enhanced secretion to a second exposure to AngII or agents that increase calcium influx. We hypothesized that the mechanism of priming involves a persistent increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) generated via sustained activity of phospholipase D (PLD). In this report, we sought to define the time frame of this priming response as well as determine its mechanism using assays of aldosterone secretion, PLD activation, and radiolabeled diacylglycerol levels. We found that in primary cultures priming was observed for up to 50 min after AngII washout, suggesting that the priming window is protracted in these cultures relative to freshly isolated cells. The phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), was used to investigate the role of sustained PLD activation in the persistent DAG and priming responses. PDBu was able to both prime glomerulosa cells to respond with enhanced secretion to AngII and elicit a persistent increase in DAG after PDBu washout. This persistent increase in DAG levels with an initial exposure to PDBu or AngII was not the result of maintained PLD activity after agent removal because PLD activation returned to basal levels by 30 min after washout. Finally, inhibition of PLD signaling during the initial AngII treatment inhibited the subsequent response to AngII or another agent that increases calcium influx. Thus, our results suggest that persistent DAG resulting from PLD signaling mediates the priming response to AngII or PDBu.

Mechanisms of Extracellularly Regulated Kinases 1/2 Activation in Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells by Lysophosphatidic Acid and Epidermal Growth Factor

The regulation of adrenal function, including aldosterone production from adrenal glomerulosa cells, is dependent on a variety of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). In many cell types, GPCR-mediated MAPK activation is mediated through transactivation of RTKs, in particular the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R). However, the extent to which this cross-communication between GPCRs and RTKs is operative in the adrenal glomerulosa has not been defined. Bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells express receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and EGF. In cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, LPA, which is predominantly coupled to Gi and partially to Gq/protein kinase C alpha and epsilon, caused phosphorylation of Src (at Tyr416), proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2 at Tyr402), EGF-R, protein kinase B/Akt, extracellularly regulated signal kinases 1/2, and their dependent protein, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase. Overexpression of dominant negative mutants of Ras or EGF-R, and selective inhibition of EGF-R kinase with AG1478, significantly reduced LPA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, this was not impaired by inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and heparin-binding EGF. LPA-induced ERK1/2 activation occurs predominantly through EGF-R transactivation by Gi/Src and partly through activation of protein kinase C, which acts downstream of EGF-R and Ras. In contrast, LPA-induced phosphorylation of Shc and ERK1/2 in clonal hepatocytes (C9 cells) was primarily mediated through MMP-dependent transactivation of the EGF-R. These observations in adrenal glomerulosa and hepatic cells demonstrate that LPA phosphorylates ERK1/2 through EGF-R transactivation in a MMP-dependent or -independent manner in individual target cells. This reflects the ability of GPCRs expressed in cell lines and neoplastic cells to utilize distinct signaling pathways that can elicit altered responses compared with those of native tissues.

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor is a negative regulator of steroidogenesis in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

The octapeptide hormone, angiotensin II (AngII) and ACTH stimulate mineralocorticoid biosynthesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in part by promoting the transcription of the gene coding for the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. We have examined whether chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor (COUP-TF), a member of the orphan nuclear receptor family of transcription factors, is involved in this transcriptional regulation. We analyzed COUP-TF and StAR mRNA and protein levels in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells in primary culture. COUP-TF protein was readily detectable in nonstimulated cells, and AngII markedly reduced its expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 1 nm), to 46 +/- 4.4% of control levels after 6 h, (n = 3; P < 0.01). This repression was paralleled by a marked decrease in COUP-TF mRNA levels, reaching 18 +/- 8.8% of controls (n = 3, P < 0.01) after 6 h and by a 20-fold increase in aldosterone output. In bovine glomerulosa cells overexpressing COUP-TFI and -II, the induction of StAR mRNA and protein elicited by AngII was completely suppressed to control levels, and the aldosterone response was significantly reduced (from 4.8 +/- 1.1-fold the basal value in mock-infected cells to 1.9 +/- 0.5-fold and 2.2 +/- 0.7-fold in COUP-TFI- and COUP-TFII-expressing cells, respectively; n = 3; P < 0.01 for both differences). Finally, by using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we have shown a direct interaction between COUP-TF and the proximal StAR promoter. These results suggest that COUP-TF exerts a tonic inhibition on steroidogenesis by repressing StAR protein expression and that activators of aldosterone biosynthesis lift this inhibition in part by repressing COUP-TF levels.

TREK-1 K+ channels couple angiotensin II receptors to membrane depolarization and aldosterone secretion in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Bovine adrenal glomerulosa (AZG) cells were shown to express bTREK-1 background K(+) channels that set the resting membrane potential and couple angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor activation to membrane depolarization and aldosterone secretion. Northern blot and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that bTREK-1 mRNA is uniformly distributed in the bovine adrenal cortex, including zona fasciculata and zona glomerulosa, but is absent from the medulla. TASK-3 mRNA, which codes for the predominant background K(+) channel in rat AZG cells, is undetectable in the bovine adrenal cortex. In whole cell voltage clamp recordings, bovine AZG cells express a rapidly inactivating voltage-gated K(+) current and a noninactivating background K(+) current with properties that collectively identify it as bTREK-1. The outwardly rectifying K(+) current was activated by intracellular acidification, ATP, and superfusion of bTREK-1 openers, including arachidonic acid (AA) and cinnamyl 1-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC). Bovine chromaffin cells did not express this current. In voltage and current clamp recordings, ANG II (10 nM) selectively inhibited the noninactivating K(+) current by 82.1 +/- 6.1% and depolarized AZG cells by 31.6 +/- 2.3 mV. CDC and AA overwhelmed ANG II-mediated inhibition of bTREK-1 and restored the resting membrane potential to its control value even in the continued presence of ANG II. Vasopressin (50 nM), which also physiologically stimulates aldosterone secretion, inhibited the background K(+) current by 73.8 +/- 9.4%. In contrast to its potent inhibition of bTREK-1, ANG II failed to alter the T-type Ca(2+) current measured over a wide range of test potentials by using pipette solutions of identical nucleotide and Ca(2+)-buffering compositions. ANG II also failed to alter the voltage dependence of T channel activation under these same conditions. Overall, these results identify bTREK-1 K(+) channels as a pivotal control point where ANG II receptor activation is transduced to depolarization-dependent Ca(2+) entry and aldosterone secretion.

Angiotensin II activates cholesterol ester hydrolase in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells through phosphorylation mediated by p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

In adrenal glomerulosa cells, the stimulation of aldosterone biosynthesis by angiotensin II (Ang II) occurs via activation of the Ca2+ messenger system, increased expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and enhanced transfer of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane. We examined here whether Ang II affects the activity of cholesterol ester hydrolase (CEH), also named hormone-sensitive lipase, the enzyme recruiting cholesterol from intracellular pools, in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. In bovine adrenal tissue, CEH activity was detected with characteristics similar to those reported in other tissues (Michaelis constant = 46.3 +/- 6.7 microM, n = 3; maximal velocity = 1 nmol/mg.min). This activity was significantly enhanced in isolated bovine glomerulosa cells challenged for 2 h with 10 nM Ang II (to 149 +/- 11% of controls, n = 3). Similarly, 25 microM forskolin raised CEH activity to 151 +/- 5% of controls (n = 3). This increase in activity of CEH was not due to an increase in the amount of enzyme protein but was associated with an increased phosphorylation of the enzyme to 337 +/- 33% of controls (n = 9, P < 0.0001). Potassium ion (K+) and forskolin also stimulated [32P]orthophosphate incorporation, although to a lesser extent (to 157 +/- 18% and 186 +/- 25% of controls, respectively). On SDS-PAGE, the majority of this radioactivity was associated with a species of 172 kDa, corresponding to a CEH dimer. Both Ang II-induced CEH phosphorylation and pregnenolone production were significantly reduced (to 47 +/- 6% and 50 +/- 8% of controls with Ang II alone, respectively) in the presence of PD098059, an inhibitor of p42/p44 MAPK. Indeed, Ang II challenge led to a rapid 32P incorporation into p42/p44 MAPK. These results demonstrate that, in addition to its known effects on intramitochondrial cholesterol transfer, Ang II also promotes aldosterone biosynthesis by rapidly increasing cholesterol supply to the outer mitochondrial membrane.

Repression of DAX-1 and Induction of SF-1 Expression: TWO MECHANISMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACTIVATION OF ALDOSTERONE BIOSYNTHESIS IN ADRENAL GLOMERULOSA CELLS

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulate aldosterone biosynthesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex through induction of the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, which promotes intramitochondrial cholesterol transfer. To understand the mechanism of this induction of the StAR protein, we have examined the effect of Ang II and forskolin, a mimicker of adrenocorticotropic hormone action, on two transcription factors known to modulate StAR gene expression in opposite ways, DAX-1 and SF-1, in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells in primary culture. Ang II markedly inhibited DAX-1 protein expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (to 38.7 +/- 12.9% of controls at 3 nm after 6 h, p < 0.01), an effect that required de novo protein synthesis and ERK2/1 activation. This effect was associated with a concomitant decrease in DAX-1 mRNA and an increase in mitochondrial StAR protein levels. Similarly, forskolin dramatically repressed DAX-1 protein and mRNA expression (to 19.6 +/- 1.8 and 50.3 +/- 4.7% of controls, respectively, p < 0.01). Neither Ang II nor forskolin affected DAX-1 protein and mRNA stability. The aldosterone response to Ang II was markedly reduced (to 59 +/- 4% of controls, p < 0.01) in transiently transfected cells overexpressing DAX-1. Whereas Ang II was without effect on SF-1 expression, forskolin significantly increased SF-1 protein and mRNA levels in a cycloheximide-sensitive manner (to 167.4 +/- 16.6 and 173.1 +/- 25.1% of controls after 6 h, respectively, p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that the balance between repressor and inducer function of DAX-1 and SF-1 are of critical importance in the regulation of adrenal aldosterone biosynthesis.

Mechanism of angiotensin II-induced phospholipase D activation in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells

Based on previous data demonstrating activation of phospholipase D (PLD) in response to angiotensin II (AngII), we have hypothesized a role for PLD in mediating aldosterone secretion from bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. In this study we demonstrate that a PLD-generated signal(s) is required for the AngII-elicited secretory response, since interfering with lipid second messenger formation using a primary alcohol inhibited AngII-induced aldosterone secretion, but not that elicited by incubation with a hydrophilic cholesterol analog, 22( R)-hydroxycholesterol, which bypasses signaling pathways. Three mechanisms for hormonal activation of PLD have been described in other systems: direct receptor coupling, activation through protein kinase C (PKC) and a combination of these two mechanisms. Our results indicate that the PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristic 13-acetate (PMA), is able to activate PLD, and that receptor engagement is apparently not necessary for PLD activation in response to this agent. Maximal doses of AngII and PMA produced no additive effect on PLD activation, suggesting that these two agents function through a common PKC pathway. This interpretation was confirmed by the ability of a PKC inhibitor, Gö 6976, to inhibit partially AngII-induced PLD activation. Finally, treatment with the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin or the calcium channel agonist BAY K8644 had no effect on PLD activity. Likewise, inhibiting calcium influx with high-dose nitrendipine affected neither basal PLD activity nor that stimulated by AngII. Thus, our results suggest a role for PKC, independent of calcium influx, in mediating AngII-induced PLD activation in glomerulosa cells.

Immunohistochemical localization of type 2 inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor to the nucleus of different mammalian cells

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) is a ligand-gated Ca2+ channel responsible for the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores in the response of a wide variety of cells to external stimuli. Molecular cloning studies have revealed the existence of three types of InsP3R encoded by distinct genes. In the study presented here, we used selective anti-InsP3R antibodies to determine the intracellular location of each InsP3R subtype in bovine aortic endothelial cells, bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, and COS-7 cells. InsP3R1 was found to be widely distributed throughout the cytosol and most abundantly in the perinuclear region identified as the endoplasmic reticulum (co-localization with protein disulfide isomerase). The intracellular location of InsP3R3 was similar to that of InsP3R1. Surprisingly, InsP3R2 was found mostly associated to the cell nucleus. This observation was made with two antibodies recognizing different epitopes on InsP3R2. Binding studies revealed the presence of a high affinity-binding site for [3H] InsP3 on purified nuclei from bovine adrenal cortex. Confocal images showed that InsP3R2 was not confined to the nuclear envelope but was distributed relatively uniformly within the nucleus. Our results demonstrate that the three types of InsP3R are not similarly distributed within a specific cell type. Our results also suggest the existence of an intranuclear membrane network on which InsP3R2 is abundantly expressed.

Elevated K + induces myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate phosphorylation and phospholipase D activation in glomerulosa cells

Elevated extracellular potassium concentrations ([K +] e) are known to stimulate aldosterone secretion from adrenal glomerulosa cells in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism is thought to involve depolarization-elicited activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels and an increase in calcium influx. Until now protein kinase C (PKC) was thought not to play a role in the steroidogenic response to elevated [K +] e. In this report, we provide evidence in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells to suggest that elevated [K +] e increases PKC activity, as shown by an enhancement in the phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). Elevated [K +] e-induced MARCKS phosphorylation was delayed and transient and was not the result of a local production of angiotensin II (AngII). MARCKS phosphorylation in response to elevated [K +] e was not accompanied by phosphoinositide hydrolysis but was inhibited by a selective PKC inhibitor. Elevated [K +] e also activated phospholipase D (PLD) in a delayed but sustained manner. We propose that the observed PLD activation mediates the elevated [K +] e-induced MARCKS phosphorylation via PKC, although other factors may modulate this phosphorylation event.

Angiotensin II promotes selective uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesterol esters in bovine adrenal glomerulosa and human adrenocortical carcinoma cells through induction of scavenger receptor class B type I.

Angiotensin II is one of the main physiological regulators of aldosterone biosynthesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex. The hormone stimulates intracellular cholesterol mobilization to the mitochondrion for steroid biosynthesis. Here we have examined whether angiotensin II also modulates exogenous lipoprotein cholesterol ester supply to the steroidogenic machinery and whether this control is exerted on the selective transport of high density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol ester to intracellular lipid droplets through the scavenger receptor class B type I. In bovine adrenal glomerulosa and human NCI H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells, high density lipoprotein stimulated steroid production. Angiotensin II pretreatment for 24 h potentiated this response. Fluorescence microscopy of cellular uptake of reconstituted high density lipoprotein containing a fluorescent cholesterol ester revealed an initial, time-dependent narrow labeling of the cell membrane followed by an intense accumulation of the fluorescent cholesterol ester within lipid droplets. At all time points, labeling was more pronounced in cells that had been treated for 24 h with angiotensin II. Fluorescence incorporation into cells was prevented by a monoclonal antibody directed against apolipoprotein A-I. Upon quantitative fluorometric determination, cholesterol ester uptake in angiotensin II-treated bovine cells was increased to 175 +/- 15% of controls after 2 h and to 260 +/- 10% after 4 h of exposure to fluorescent high density lipoprotein. The amount of scavenger receptor class B type I protein detected in cells treated with angiotensin II for 24 h reached 203 +/- 12% of that measured in control cells (n = 3, P < 0.01). In contrast, low density lipoprotein receptors were only minimally affected by angiotensin II treatment. This increase in scavenger receptor class B type I protein was associated with a 3-fold induction of scavenger receptor class B type I mRNA, which could be prevented by actinomycin D but not by cycloheximide. Similar results were obtained in the human adenocarcinoma cell line H295R. These observations show that angiotensin II regulates the scavenger receptor class B type I-mediated selective transport of lipoprotein cholesterol ester across the cell membrane as a major source of precursor for mineralocorticoid biosynthesis in both human and bovine adrenal cells.