Differential effects of down-regulated steroidogenic factor-1 on basal and angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion

J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 Oct;34(9):671-5. doi: 10.3275/7413.

Abstract

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is responsible for the final step in aldosterone synthesis and is importantly regulated by angiotensin-II (Ang II) through diverse pathways. However, under pathological conditions, such as in hyperaldosteronism, the regulation becomes disordered. The transcription factor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is important in regulating the endocrine system and is overexpressed in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), a common cause of hyperaldosteronism. Overexpression of SF-1 has been extensively studied, but little in-depth information is available regarding the effects of inhibitory SF-1 on CYP11B2 and Ang II. In this paper, we have investigated the roles of down-regulated SF-1 in basal and Ang II-induced CYP11B2 expression using SF-1-specific short hairpin RNA. Inhibitory SF-1 was found to decrease the sensitivity of CYP11B2 and aldosterone to Ang II stimulation, whereas a down-regulation of SF-1 enhanced basal CYP11B2 expression and aldosterone production in H295R cells. Considering these differential effects of SF-1 on aldosterone production, these results might provide a new insight into the understanding of hyperaldosteronism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / biosynthesis
  • Aldosterone / metabolism*
  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line / drug effects
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hyperaldosteronism / metabolism
  • Hyperaldosteronism / physiopathology
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / genetics
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Angiotensin II
  • Aldosterone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2