ADRENAL ANGIOTENSIN-II TYPE-1 AND TYPE-2 RECEPTORS IN CUSHINGS AND CONNS-SYNDROMES

Gushing's and Conn's syndromes are well recognised endocrine diseases, but the pathobiology of the tumors causing these disorders is unclear . In this study we examined AT1 and AT2 gene expression in adrenal ade nomas of Gushing's and Conn's syndromes. AT1 and AT2 receptor mRNA, as well as alternatively spliced AT1 transcripts, were detected by RT-PC R using adjacent adrenal cortex tissue as controls. Whereas no consist ent differences in AT1 mRNA were seen compared to control adrenal cort ex, AT2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the adenomas of Gu shing's and Conn's syndromes. No changes in alternative splicing of AT 1 mRNA were observed in the adrenal tumors. The fact that no consisten t changes were seen in AT1 mRNA or its splicing, whereas AT2 mRNA were reduced in both forms of hormone producing adrenal tumor suggests tha t the AT2 receptor, rather than the ATI subtype, may be correlated wit h adrenal tumorigenesis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.