Presence of multiple functional polyadenylation signals in the 3'-untranslated region of human corticotropin receptor cDNA.

We present 2.59 kb of the 3'-non-coding region of the ACTH receptor cDNA that contains seven potential polyadenylation signals. Among these signals, five are functional as detected by 3'-RACE and are consistent with the transcripts of 1.8, 3.4 and 4 kb visualized on Northern blots. We propose that the most likely molecular mechanism for the multiple ACTH-R mRNA transcripts is the alternative use of polyadenylation signals.

Functional relationships between three novel homozygous mutations in the ACTH receptor gene and familial glucocorticoid deficiency.

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a glucocorticoid adrenal insufficiency without mineralocorticoid deficiency. Mutations of the ACTH receptor (MC2-R) gene have been reported in some FGD cases, but only a few of them have been functionally studied. We reported clinical features and MC2-R gene analysis in three families. For each proband, an homozygous mutation was identified after amplification and sequencing of the whole intronless MC2-R gene. One mutation converted Val-142 located in the second intracellular loop to Leu. Another mutation in the sixth transmembrane domain converted Ala-233 to Pro. The last mutation converted the negatively charged Asp-103 in the first extracellular loop to an uncharged Asn. Functional studies of these mutations as well as the S120R mutation were performed after stable transfection of M3 cells and measurement of ACTH-induced cAMP production. For the S120R, V142L, and A233P mutated MC2-R, cAMP production curves were similar to that obtained with M3 parental cells, confirming that these mutations are responsible for the FGD in the affected patients. The D103N-mutated MC2-R had an impaired cAMP response to physiological doses of ACTH, but the maximal response at very high concentrations of ACTH was similar to that obtained for the wild-type MC2-R. All these results demonstrated clear relationships based on functional studies between MC2-R homozygous mutations and FGD phenotype.

Processing of angiotensin II (A-II) and (Sar1,Ala8)A-II by cultured bovine adrenocortical cells.

Bovine adrenocortical cells, cultured in a chemically defined medium, were used to study the fate of [125I] iodoangiotensin II ([125I]iodo-A-II) and its antagonist (Sar1,Ala8)A-II ([125I]iodo-Saralasin). The binding of both ligands was time and temperature dependent. The maximum specific binding at 37 C, which was reached within 1 h, was followed by a decline with a half-life of about 2 h and 8 h for [125I]iodo-A-II and [125I]iodo-Saralasin, respectively. The decrease of the specific binding was parallel to the appearance in the medium of degraded ligand. At 4 C, the binding of [125I]iodo-A-II was stable for 12 h and no degradation of ligand occurred. Under several experimental conditions, about 70% of the total [125I]iodo-A-II bound was internalized, whereas, in the case of [125I]iodo-Saralasin, less than 25% of the total bound ligand was internalized. These differences in the binding kinetics between A-II and its antagonist were mainly the differences in the rate of internalization of the bound ligands, more rapid for [125I]iodo-A-II (t1/2 approximately equal to 10 min) than for [125I]iodo-Saralasin (t1/2 = 90 min). On the other hand, the rate of degradation of internalized ligand was similar for both ligands (t1/2 = 15 min). Ionophore monensin enhanced the total cellular uptake of both ligands by increasing the amount of internalized ligands. Monensin did not modify the rate of internalization of the two ligands but markedly decreased their rate of degradation (t1/2 approximately equal to 60 min). These results indicate that both A-II and its antagonist are internalized and degraded by adrenocortical cells, but the rate of internalization of the antagonist is lower than that of the agonist. They also show that receptor-mediated endocytosis is the main pathway by which A-II is rapidly degraded by adrenocortical cells. Since A-II receptors are present in many tissues, the receptor-mediated degradation could explain the very short half-life in plasma of this hormone.

Characterization of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin receptors on cultured bovine adrenal fasciculata cells. Role of these peptides on adrenal cell function.

We have characterized insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin receptors in cultured bovine adrenal cells by binding and cross-linking affinity experiments. At equilibrium the dissociation constant and the number of binding sites per cell for IGF-I were 1.4 +/- (SE) 0.3 x 10(-9) M and 19,200 +/- 2,100, respectively. Under reduction conditions, disuccinimidyl suberate cross-linked [125I]iodo-IGF-I to one receptor complex with an Mr of 125,000. Adrenal cells also contain specific insulin receptors with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 10(-9) M. Under reduction conditions [125I]iodo-insulin binds to one band with an approximate Mr of 125,000. IGF-I and insulin at micromolar concentrations, but not at nanomolar concentrations, slightly stimulated DNA synthesis, but markedly potentiated the mitogenic action of fibroblast growth factor. Adrenal cells cultured in a serum-free medium containing transferrin, ascorbic acid, and insulin (5 micrograms/ml) maintained fairly constant angiotensin-II (A-II) receptor concentration per cell and increased cAMP release on response to ACTH and their steroidogenic response to both ACTH and A-II. When the cells were cultured in the same medium without insulin, the number of A-II receptors significantly decreased to 65% and the increased responsiveness was blunted. Treatment of such cells for 3 days with increasing concentrations of IGF-I (1-100 ng/ml) produced a 2- to 3-fold increase in A-II receptors and enhanced the cAMP response (3- to 4-fold) to ACTH and the steroidogenic response (4- to 6-fold) to ACTH and A-II. These effects were time and dose dependent (ED50 approximately equal to 10(-9) M). Insulin at micromolar concentrations produced an effect similar to that of IGF-I, but at nanomolar concentrations the effect was far less. The enhanced steroidogenic responsiveness of IGF-I and insulin-treated cells were related to an enhanced capacity to produce pregnenolone and an increased activity of several steroid hydroxylases. These results indicate that both IGF-I and insulin, acting through their own receptor, play an important role in the maintenance of specific adrenal cell functions. However, at physiological concentrations IGF-I is more potent than insulin.

Bovine thrombospondin-2: complete complementary deoxyribonucleic acid sequence and immunolocalization in the external zones of the adrenal cortex.

Given the variety of biological functions in the adrenal cortex that are controlled by ACTH, we hypothesized that some extracellular proteins act as biological relays for this systemic hormone. One candidate protein [corticotropin-induced secreted protein (CISP)] was purified from the conditioned medium of bovine adrenocortical cells on the basis of a 5- to 14-fold increase in its synthesis after the addition of ACTH. We report here the cloning of overlapping complementary DNAs that span the sequence encoding the full-length protein (1170 amino acids). The deduced CISP protein sequence is 89% identical to that of human thrombospondin-2 (TSP2), but only 61% identical to that of bovine TSP1, confirming that CISP is the bovine ortholog of TSP2. The bovine TSP2 sequence aligned perfectly with human, mouse, and chicken TSP2 sequences, except for a gap of 2 amino acids located in a linker region. All 58 cysteine residues that are conserved in other species were present in the bovine sequence as well as most of the functional domains. Most endocrine tissues (adrenal cortex, testis, ovary, and placenta) appeared to express TSP2, as determined by Western blot analysis. The highest levels of TSP2 protein were found in the adrenal cortex, followed by the heart, spleen, brain, and kidney. A differential extent of N-glycosylation or tissular proteolytic maturation may be responsible for the mol wt differences observed between bovine TSP2 detected in the medium from primary cultures and that in fresh tissue extracts. The immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of TSP2 in the bovine adrenal gland revealed that the protein is much more abundant in the external zones (zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata) than in the internal reticularis zone, a pattern similar to that reported for ACTH receptors. This distribution clearly suggests that TSP2 is a candidate relay protein for a subset of ACTH actions in the adrenal cortex.

Human proopiomelanocortin-(79-96), a proposed cortical androgen-stimulating hormone, does not affect steroidogenesis in cultured human adult adrenal cells.

The existence of a cortical androgen-stimulating hormone (CASH), distinct from ACTH, regulating the secretion of human adrenal androgens has long been postulated. Recently, it has been reported that an 18-amino acid peptide, corresponding to the first part of the joining peptide of proopiomelanocortin [POMC-(79-96)], was able to stimulate the secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone from cultured human adult adrenocortical cells, but had no effect on cortisol production. We have studied the acute and long term effects of ACTH (10(-11) and 10(-9) M), CASH-18 (10(-8) M), or both on cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate by human adult adrenocortical cells. Although ACTH increased steroid secretion and enhanced the steroidogenic responsiveness to further ACTH stimulation, CASH-18 alone or together with ACTH (10(-11) or 10(-9) M) had no effect. In addition, we were unable to demonstrate any specific binding of [125I]CASH-18 to human adrenocortical cells, although [125I] ACTH-(1-39) binds specifically to the same cell preparation.

Insulin-like growth factors enhance steroidogenic enzyme and corticotropin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels and corticotropin steroidogenic responsiveness in cultured human adrenocortical cells.

In several species, including the human fetus, insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) have been reported to modulate adrenal steroidogenesis, thus contributing to adrenal cortical differentiation. In the present study, we examined the long term effects of IGF-I and -II on human adult adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells cultured in a chemically defined medium and compared them to the effects of insulin, human GH, and ACTH. Treatment for 3 days with IGF-I or -II at nanomolar concentrations or with insulin at micromolar concentrations slightly increased the production of androstenedione, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone about 1.5-fold over that by control cells. Moreover, the acute steroidogenic response to ACTH of cells pretreated with IGF-I, IGF-II, or insulin was 3- to 6-fold higher than that of control cells. For each hormone, these effects of IGF-I and -II were dose dependent between 0.1-26 nmol/L (1-200 ng/mL). The secretion of androstenedione was more potently stimulated than that of dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol, and this effect was more clearly yielded by pretreatment with IGF-II than with IGF-I or insulin. Human GH had no effect on these cells. In cells treated with IGF-I or -II, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of cytochrome P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase and of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were increased, and the abundance of ACTH receptor mRNA was also slightly enhanced, but the mRNA of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme was unchanged. In conclusion, IGFs enhance the steroidogenesis and ACTH responsiveness of human adrenocortical cells in culture. We speculate, that by this mechanism, IGFs may contribute to clinical states with hyperandrogenemia.

Glucocorticoids enhance corticotropin receptor mRNA levels in ovine adrenocortical cells.

We have shown previously that chronic treatment with glucocorticoids enhances both ACTH-induced cAMP production and ACTH- or 8Br-cAMP-induced steroidogenesis of cultured ovine adrenocortical cells. This treatment has been shown to involve an increase in the number of ACTH receptors. The present study aimed to explore the mechanism of this effect of glucocorticoids on ACTH receptors. Ovine adrenocortical cells expressed one major ACTH receptor transcript of 3.6 kb and three minor ones of 4.2, 1.8 and 1.3 kb. Dexamethasone treatment of cultured cells increased the levels of all these transcripts in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with an EC50 of (1.5 +/- 0.6) x 10(-8) M. The mean increase over control with 10(-6) M dexamethasone was 144 +/- 11% (n = 14). This enhancing effect was specific for glucocorticosteroids. The antiglucocorticoid Ru38486 blocked the effect of dexamethasone. Testosterone did not modify, while high concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol decreased, ACTH receptor mRNA levels. Treatment of cells with aminoglutethimide (an inhibitor of steroidogenesis) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in ACTH receptor mRNA levels, which was prevented by concomitant treatment with dexamethasone. Treatment with ACTH also increased ACTH receptor mRNA levels more than twofold. Addition of aminoglutethimide together with ACTH resulted in a smaller increase than that achieved with ACTH alone. Neither dexamethasone nor ACTH modified ACTH receptor mRNA half-lives. However, these two hormones enhanced the levels of both newly synthesized and total ACTH receptor mRNAs. These results indicate that the positive trophic effect of glucocorticoids on ovine adrenocortical cells involves an enhancement of the transcription rate of the ACTH receptor gene. In addition, they suggest that part of the trophic action of ACTH on ACTH receptors may be mediated by ACTH-induced steroidogenesis.

ACTH and angiotensin II regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins in cultured bovine adrenal cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is required for the maintenance of differentiated functions of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells in culture. We have investigated, by immunocytochemistry, the presence of IGF-I in cells cultured in the absence or presence of ACTH and angiotensin II (AII), as well as the secretion of IGF-I and its binding proteins (IGFBPs). In control cultures, very few cells were specifically stained with the anti-IGF-I serum. Following 2 days of treatment with AII (1 microM) or ACTH (10 nM) the number of stained cells increased by 5- and 14-fold respectively. In all cases the staining was specific, since it was abolished when non-immune rabbit serum replaced the anti-IGF serum or when the anti-IGF-I serum was preincubated with saturating concentrations of the peptide. Under the same experimental conditions the secretion of IGF-I into the medium, evaluated by a specific radioimmunoassay, was increased two- and sevenfold by AII and ACTH respectively. Using the method of Western ligand blotting, the major form of IGFBP secreted by control adrenal cells was found to be a 38-42 kDa doublet protein. Two minor forms with apparent molecular weights of 28-31 kDa and 24 kDa have also been identified. Following acid-ethanol extraction of the conditioned medium, all the IGFBPs were recovered in the pellet, whereas most of the IGF-I was in the supernatant. ACTH and, to a lesser extent, AII pretreatment increased the 38-42 kDa IGFBP by several fold, decreased the 28-31 kDa IGFBP and had no effect on the 24 kDa IGFBP. In conclusion, these results demonstrate (i) that bovine adrenal cells contain IGF-I-like immunoreactive material, (ii) that the stimulatory effects of ACTH and AII on IGF-I secretion by bovine adrenal cells are due mainly to an increase in the number of IGF-I-producing cells and (iii) that ACTH and AII modulate the secretion of IGFBP by adrenal cells. Although the roles of IGFBPs have not been defined in adrenal cells, they are capable of modulating the biological action of IGFs in other cell cultures. Regulation of both IGF-I and its binding proteins by the two specific hormones ACTH and AII suggests important roles for these binding proteins in modulating the action of IGF-I in bovine adrenal cell function.

Regulation of bovine adrenal cell corticotropin receptor mRNA levels by corticotropin (ACTH) and angiotensin-II (A-II).

Bovine adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells (BAC) expressed at least four ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA transcripts, one major of 3.6 kb and three minor of 4.2, 1.8 and 1.3 kb. ACTH and A-II increased ACTH-R mRNA levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At maximal concentrations, ACTH caused a 2.7-fold increase in the level of the major transcript of 3.6 kb with an ED50 = 10(-11) M and A-II produced a 2.4-fold increase with an ED50 = 5 x 10(-8) M. Under our experimental conditions, the stimulatory effects of both hormones appeared to be due to post-transcriptional changes rather than to transcriptional regulation since the hormonal effects were also observed in actinomycin-treated cells. The results indicate that regulation of ACTH-R mRNA levels may be one mechanism by which ACTH and A-II regulate adrenocortical functions.

Cycloheximide enhances ACTH-receptor mRNA through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms in bovine adrenocortical cells.

We have previously shown that ACTH is one of the few polypeptide hormones having a positive trophic effect, not only on the number, but also on the expression of its own receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether the constitutive and ACTH-induced expression of ACTH-receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA in bovine adrenocortical cells (BAC) requires new protein synthesis. The results show that cycloheximide alone, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in the constitutive level of the ACTH-R major transcript of 3.6 kb in BAC. The maximal stimulation (5.17 +/- 1.15 fold, n = 4) was obtained after 24 h treatment with 5 micrograms/ml cycloheximide. The effect of cycloheximide was specific and not directly related to translational arrest since other protein synthesis inhibitors acting through different mechanisms, emetine and puromycin, were unable to reproduce such an effect at concentrations inhibiting protein synthesis. The effect of cycloheximide involved an increase in the half-life and the transcription rate of the major transcript of ACTH-R (2- and 8.4-fold respectively). In addition, the results also demonstrated that neither the constitutive nor the ACTH-induced expression of ACTH-R require new protein synthesis.

Inhibition of hormonal-induced cAMP and steroid production by inhibitors of pregnenolone metabolism in adrenal and Leydig cells.

The effects of inhibitors of pregnenolone metabolism, WIN-24540 and spironolactone, on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)- and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced cAMP and steroid production by bovine (BAC) and ovine (OAC) adrenal cells and pig Leydig cells (PLC) were investigated. The inhibitors reduced cAMP production by adrenal and Leydig cells by about 75% and 60%, respectively (P less than 0.001). Further, the inhibitors also reduced the cholera toxin- and forskolin-induced cAMP production by pig Leydig cells. In the presence of the inhibitors, corticosterone and testosterone production by BAC and PLC, respectively, following hormonal stimulation was reduced by more than 90%. However, pregnenolone production by BAC and PLC under these conditions represented only 12% and 42% of the corticosterone and testosterone production, respectively, in the absence of inhibitors. Moreover, the inhibitors also reduced the steroidogenic response of PLC to 8-Br-cAMP and the conversion of 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone by BAC and PLC. The reduced production of pregnenolone in the presence of inhibitors was in part due to the weak inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase by spironolactone. However, when OAC cells were incubated in the presence of WIN-24540 and SU-10603, a potent 17 alpha-hydroxylase inhibitor, the amount of pregnenolone produced in response to ACTH or 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol was only 10% and 19%, respectively, of the steroids (corticosterone plus cortisol) secreted in the absence of inhibitors. The results show that the inhibitors of pregnenolone metabolism reduced, in both adrenal and Leydig cells, the response of adenylate cyclase to several effectors and the activity of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Is there a local IGF-system in human adrenocortical cells?

There is increasing evidence that in the fetal and postnatal development of the adrenal gland, trophic and differentiating effects of ACTH are locally modulated by a species-specific pattern of growth factors. As we have shown previously in human adult adrenocortical cells (HAC) in culture, IGF-I and, even more, IGF-II enhance the steroidogenesis and ACTH responsiveness. We now examined the secretion of IGFs and their binding proteins (IGFBP) in the medium of 12 serum free primary cultures of HAC by specific RIAs and [125I]IGF ligand blot or by immunoblot, and their long-term regulation by ACTH. HAC secrete 0.41 and 0.91 ng IGF-I and IGF-II/5 x 10(5) cells per day, respectively, and their secretion is significantly stimulated 2- and 1.6-fold, respectively, by ACTH. HAC secrete at least three IGFBPs. The 43-46 kDa and the 29 kDa proteins correspond to glycosylated and fragmented forms of IGFBP-3, and the 36 kDa protein to IGFBP-2. The most abundant protein is the 24 kDa IGFBP, with identical electrophoretic mobility to IGFBP-4. IGFBP-3, as measured by RIA, is in the range of 1 ng/day. None of the IGFBPs is significantly changed by ACTH. Thus, we have evidence for a local IGF system, and the IGF-levels are in a range compatible with a physiological auto or paracrine action on steroidogenesis.

Identification and characterization of corticotropin receptors in bovine and human adrenals.

Corticotropin (ACTH) receptors have been characterized by covalent cross-linking of radiolabeled ACTH ([125I]ACTH) with the bifunctional cross-linking reagent disuccinimidyl suberate to cultured bovine adrenal fasciculata reticularis cells (BAC), and to crude plasma membrane fractions prepared from both human and bovine adrenals. Incubation of BAC with [125I]ACTH at 20 degrees C followed by cross-linking resulted in the specific labeling of two binding proteins with apparent M(r) of 154,000 and 43,000 as measured by SDS-PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions. In addition, in some experiments another band with an apparent M(r) of 124,000 was observed. All of these bands disappeared when the incubation was performed in the presence of an excess of unlabeled ACTH. When BAC were incubated with [125I]ACTH in the presence of 100 microM phenylarsine oxide at 20 degrees C, a condition which prevents the internalization of the ACTH-receptor complex, the bulk of the radioactivity was present in the 43,000 band. After [125I]ACTH cross-linking to BAC, subcellular preparations followed by SDS-PAGE revealed that the 20,000 g fraction contained mainly the 43,000 M(r) form. Cross-linking of [125I]ACTH to plasma membrane-enriched fractions prepared from human and bovine adrenals resulted only in the labeling of the 43,000 protein. These results indicate that the ACTH receptor present at the cell surface is a macromolecule of 43,000, and suggest that the 154,000 form probably represents association of the ACTH-receptor complex to another macromolecule. The 154,000 protein would be formed during or after internalization of the ACTH-receptor complex.

Characterization and coupling of angiotensin-II receptor subtypes in cultured bovine adrenal fasciculata cells.

Angiotensin-II (A-II) receptor subtypes and their potential coupling mechanisms were investigated in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC) in culture, by the use of selective antagonists for AT1 (DUP 753 or Losartan) and AT2 (PD 123177 and CGP 42112A) sites. Competition for [125I]A-II specific binding with AT1 or AT2 selective ligands produced a biphasic displacement curve, suggesting two distinct A-II binding sites. In the presence of PD 123177 (10(-5) M), a concentration at which most of the AT2 sites were saturated, DUP 753 displaced [125I]A-II specific binding in a monophasic manner with an IC50 of 6.2 +/- 1.4 x 10(-7) M. In the presence of DUP 753 (10(-5) M), the displacement produced by CGP 42112A and PD 123177 was also monophasic, with IC50s of 8 +/- 3 x 10(-10) and 4.6 +/- 2.1 x 10(-7) M, respectively. The reducing agent dithio-1,4-erythritol inhibited the binding of [125I]A-II to AT1 (DUP 753 sensitive) sites, but increased its binding to AT2 sites 2-fold. The IC50 values for these two effects were about 0.5 and 3 mM, respectively. The biological effects of A-II in BAC, phosphoinositide hydrolysis and cortisol production, were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by DUP 753, but not by AT2 antagonists. Similarly, the potentiating action of A-II on corticotropin-induced cAMP production was blocked by DUP 753, but not by AT2 antagonists. These data indicate that BAC contain both receptor subtypes, but that all the known effects of A-II in BAC were induced via the AT1 receptor subtype.

Peptide hormone and growth factor regulation of nuclear proto-oncogenes and specific functions in adrenal cells.

Among the large number of immediate early genes, nuclear proto-oncogenes of the Fos and Jun families, have been postulated to be involved in the long-term effects of several growth factors on cell differentiation and/or multiplication. Since adrenal cell differentiated functions appear to be regulated by specific hormones and growth factors, the effects of these factors on proto-oncogene mRNA levels were analysed in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC) in culture. Corticotropin (ACTH) and insulin-like growth factor I increased c-fos and jun-B mRNA, but had no effect on c-jun mRNA and these early changes were associated with a later increase in BAC specific function [ACTH receptors, cytochrome P450 17 alpha) and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD)] and an enhanced steroidogenic responsiveness to both ACTH and angiotensin-II (A-II). On the other hand, A-II increased the three proto-oncogene (c-fos, c-jun and jun-B) mRNAs, induced a decrease of P450 17 alpha and 3 beta-HSD and caused a marked homologous and heterologous (ACTH) densitization. Transforming growth factor beta 1 which only increased jun-B mRNA, markedly reduced BAC differentiated functions and the steroidogenic responsiveness to both ACTH and A-II. Thus, it is postulated that the proto-oncoproteins encoded by the immediate early genes may play a role in the long-term effects of peptide hormones and growth factors on BAC differentiated functions.

Regulation of primary response and specific genes in adrenal cells by peptide hormones and growth factors.

Using cultured bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC), we investigated the effects of two hormones, corticotropin (ACTH) and angiotensin II (Ang-II) and two growth factors, insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), on the mRNA levels of nuclear proto-oncogenes of the Fos and Jun families and on the mRNA levels of genes expressed in BAC coding for ACTH and AT1 receptors, cytochrome P450scc and P450 17 alpha and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD). ACTH and IGF-1 increased c-fos and jun-B mRNA levels early with later increases in the levels of mRNA for the ACTH receptor and the three steroidogenic enzymes, and enhanced steroidogenic responses to both ACTH and Ang-II. In contrast, Ang-II increased mRNA coding for the three proto-oncogenes (cfos, c-jun, and jun-B), decreased those for P450 17 alpha and 3 beta-HSD, and caused marked homologous and heterologous steroidogenic desensitization. TGF beta 1 increased only jun-B mRNA and markedly reduced BAC-differentiated functions and steroidogenic responsiveness to both ACTH and Ang-II. The long-term effects of ACTH on human adrenal fasciculata cells were comparable with those observed in BAC, whereas the long term effects of Ang-II and TGF beta 1 were different from those observed in BAC. Whether these species-specific differences are related to a different effect of these factors on proto-oncogene expression is not yet known.

Syndrome of congenital adrenocortical unresponsiveness to ACTH. Report of six patients.

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) or unresponsiveness to ACTH at the receptor level is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary syndrome characterized by a low cortisol level despite high serum ACTH concentration. Aldosterone levels are normal. The clinical entity generally presents in the first year of life with skin hyperpigmentation and hypoglycemic convulsions. Cortisol response to exogenous ACTH is also absent. Unresponsiveness to ACTH may be due to a mutation in the ACTH receptor; sometimes no mutation is found. We discuss the clinical and laboratory findings and genetic studies in six patients with a diagnosis of FGD. A homozygous V142L mutation was detected in three of the patients and a homozygous D103N mutation was detected in two patients.

[ACTH resistance syndromes]. / Syndromes de résistance à l'ACTH.

ACTH resistance syndromes consist of a group of rare disorders with three various molecular etiologies. However, all these diseases share the feature of severe glucocorticoid adrenal insufficiency. The simplest disorder is the isolated familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) which could be divided in two different types. In FGD type 1, ACTH receptor mutations have been described and are responsible for the loss of function of the receptor, leading to the ACTH unresponsiveness. Patients with FGD type 2 show the same phenotype as in the previous syndrome but no mutation of the ACTH receptor has been reported in these cases. It has been proposed that morbidity of one or several other gene(s) could be responsible for this syndrome although there is no information about their chromosomal localization. The third molecular form of the disease corresponds to the Triple A syndrome for the triad of association "ACTH resistance, Achalasia, Alacrima", thus reflecting a large spectrum of additional symptoms. It has recently been reported that the morbid gene in this last syndrome maps to chromosome 12q13. The aim of this review is to examine the clinical aspect as well as the current knowledge of the molecular and genetic aspects of the different forms of the disease.

[Demonstration of the secretion of IGF-I and of its binding proteins by bovine adrenal fasciculata cells in culture. Immunocytochemistry, radioimmunoassay and ligand blotting]. / Mise en évidence de la sécrétion d'IGF-I et de ses protéines de liaison par les cellules fasciculées du cortex surrénalien bovin en culture. Immunocytochimie, dosage radioimmunologique et "ligand blotting".

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is required for the maintenance of differentiated functions of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells in culture. We have investigated, by immunocytochemistry, the presence of IGF-I in cells cultured in the absence or presence of corticotropin (ACTH) and angiotensin II (A-II), as well as the secretion of IFG-I and its binding proteins (IGF-BP). In control cultures, very few cells were specifically stained with the anti-IGF-I serum. Following 2 days treatment with A-II (10(-6)M) or ACTH (10(-8)M) the number of stained cells increased 5 and 14 fold, respectively. In all cases the staining was specific since it was abolished when non-immune rabbit serum replaced the anti-IGF serum or when the anti-IGF-I serum was preincubated with saturating concentrations of the peptide. Under the same experimental conditions the secretion of IGF-I in the medium, evaluated by a specific radioimmunoassay, was increased 2- and 7-fold by A-II and ACTH, respectively. Using the method of western ligand blot, we found that the major form of IGF-BP secreted by control adrenal cells is a 38-42 kDa doublet protein. Two minor forms with apparent mol wt of 28-31 kDa and 24 kDa have also been identified. Following acid-ethanol extraction of the conditioned medium all the IGF-BP were recovered in the pellet, whereas most of the IGF-I was in the supernatant. ACTH and, to a lesser extent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)