EXPRESSION OF CYTOCHROME-P450 ALDOSTERONE SYNTHASE AND 11-BETA-HYDROXYLASE MESSENGER-RNA DURING ADRENAL REGENERATION

In situ-hybridization histochemistry was used to monitor the expressio n of cytochrome P450 aldosterone synthase (P450aldo) and cytochrome P4 50 11 beta-hydroxylase (P45011 beta) mRNA in regenerating rat adrenals . Comparisons were made between regenerating adrenals from unilateral enucleated/unilateral adrenalectomized (ULE/ULA) and bilateral enuclea ted (BLE) rats. During the first week after enucleation, P45011 beta m RNA was expressed in all adrenals reflecting the presence of fascicula ta cells; however, P450aldo mRNA was detected only in adrenals from UL E/ULA rats suggesting that the glomerulosa cell phenotype was absent a fter BLE. These findings suggest that the expression of glomerulosa ce lls during the early period of regeneration is influenced by the prese nce of a second regenerating adrenal.