Secretion of endothelin-1 and adrenomedullin by SW-13 human adrenocorticalcarcinoma cells

The adrenal medulla and pheochromocytomas are known to secrete various neur opeptides and vasoactive peptides. On the other hand, the production and se cretion of peptides by adrenocortical tumors have not been studied in detai l. The study reported, here therefore set out to examine these two function s for two vasoactive peptides, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenomedullin (ADM) in SW-13 human adrenocortical carcinoma cells by radioimmunoassay and Nort hern blot analysis. Both immunoreactive ET (irET) and irADM were detected i n the culture medium of SW-13 cells. Northern blot analysis showed the expr ession of ET-1 and ADM mRNAs in SW-13 cells. On the other hand, no signific ant amounts of calcitonin-gene-related peptide, corticotropin-releasing-hor mone, neuropeptide Y or urocortin were secreted by SW-13 cells. This study has shown that ET-1 and ADM are the two unique vasoactive peptides that are produced and secreted by adrenocortical carcinoma cells.