Angiotensin II induces coordinated calcium bursts in aldosterone-producing adrenal rosettes

Nat Commun. 2020 Apr 3;11(1):1679. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15408-4.

Abstract

Aldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa (zG) cells of the adrenal gland arrange in distinct multi-cellular rosettes that provide a structural framework for adrenal cortex morphogenesis and plasticity. Whether this cyto-architecture also plays functional roles in signaling remains unexplored. To determine if structure informs function, we generated mice with zG-specific expression of GCaMP3 and imaged zG cells within their native rosette structure. Here we demonstrate that within the rosette, angiotensin II evokes periodic Cav3-dependent calcium events that form bursts that are stereotypic in form. Our data reveal a critical role for angiotensin II in regulating burst occurrence, and a multifunctional role for the rosette structure in activity-prolongation and coordination. Combined our data define the calcium burst as the fundamental unit of zG layer activity evoked by angiotensin II and highlight a novel role for the rosette as a facilitator of cell communication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / metabolism*
  • Angiotensin II / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / genetics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Intravital Microscopy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Tissue Culture Techniques
  • Zona Glomerulosa / metabolism*

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Angiotensin II
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Aldosterone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2
  • Calcium