These genes represent candidates for regulation of adrenal differentiation and steroid hormone biosynthesis.ĪCTH is a 39 amino acid polypeptide predominantly synthesized in and secreted from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. These data provide a group of ACTH-regulated genes including many that have not been previously studied with regard to adrenal function. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed the eight most upregulated and one downregulated common genes between two cell types. Among these genes were six encoding enzymes involved in steroid biosynthesis, the ACTH receptor and its accessory protein, melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (ACTH receptor accessory protein). Microarray analysis indicated that 48 h of ACTH treatment caused 30 AA genes and 84 FA genes to increase by greater than fourfold, with 20 genes common in both cell cultures. In this study, we defined the effects of chronic ACTH treatment on global gene expression in primary cultures of both adult adrenal (AA) and fetal adrenal (FA) cells. Although it has been established that ACTH can stimulate steroidogenesis, the effects of ACTH on overall gene expression in human adrenal cells have not been established.

Under physiological conditions, cortisol and adrenal androgen synthesis are controlled primarily by ACTH. The adrenal glands are the primary source of minerocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and the so-called adrenal androgens.

Acth adrenal cortex