The regulation of aldosterone synthase expression

Mary H. Bassett, Perrin C. White, William E. Rainey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

174 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aldosterone, the primary human mineralocorticoid, is a major regulator of intravascular volume and blood pressure. The capacity of the adrenal gland to produce aldosterone is controlled, in large part, by the regulated transcription of CYP11B2, the gene encoding aldosterone synthase. Aldosterone synthase is responsible for the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone and is expressed only within the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex. The development of new systems for in vitro studies of expression has helped define molecular mechanisms that regulate this enzyme and thus the capacity of the adrenal gland to produce aldosterone. Both potassium and angiotensin II (ANG II) increase intracellular calcium levels, which regulate expression of CYP11B2 through transcription factors that interact with defined sites in the 5′-flanking region of the gene.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)67-74
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Volume217
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 31 2004

Keywords

  • Aldosterone
  • Mineralocorticoid
  • Zona glomerulosa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

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