Abstract
MAINTENANCE of normal levels of adrenal medullary enzymes concerned with the synthesis of catecholamines requires an intact pituitary–adrenocortical system. Wurtman and Axelrod1,2 showed that after hypophysectomy there is a striking decrease in adrenal levels of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT), the enzyme which converts noradrenaline to adrenaline. This decrease is prevented or reversed by treatment with ACTH or glucocorticoids. Dopamine-β-hydroxylase, which is responsible for the formation of noradrenaline from dopamine, was shown by Kvetňanský et al.3 to be decreased in the adrenal glands of hypophysectomized rats; levels of this enzyme are also restored by treatment with ACTH4 or dexamethasone (Gewirtz et al., unpublished observations). Tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme which converts tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), is also diminished in the adrenals of hypophysectomized rats and restored by ACTH treatment3,5. Unlike those of dopamine-β-hydroxylase and PNMT, however, tyrosine hydroxylase levels are not increased by treatment with dexamethasone5. Thus ACTH seems to have an effect on adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase which is not mediated by corticosteroids.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wurtman, R. J., and Axelrod, J., Science, 150, 1464 (1965).
Wurtman, R. J., and Axelrod, J., J. Biol. Chem., 241, 2301 (1966).
Kvetňanský, R., Weise, V. K., and Kopin, I. J., Pharmacologist, 11, 274 (1969).
Kvetňanský, R., Gewirtz, G. P., Weise, V. K., and Kopin, I. J., Fed. Proc., 29, 277 (1970).
Mueller, R. A., Thoenen, H., and Axelrod, J., Endocrinology, 86, 751 (1970).
Haynes, jun., R. C., J. Biol. Chem., 233, 1220 (1958).
Grahame-Smith, D. G., Butcher, R. W., Ney, R. L., and Sutherland, E. W., J. Biol. Chem., 242, 5535 (1967).
Haynes, jun., R. C., Koritz, S. B., and Peron, F. G., J. Biol. Chem., 243, 1421 (1959).
Ney, R. L., Endocrinology, 84, 168 (1969).
Friedman, S., and Kaufman, S., J. Biol. Chem., 240, 4763 (1965).
Viveros, O. H., Arqueros, L., and Kirshner, N., Life Sci., 7, 609 (1968).
Axelrod, J., J. Biol. Chem., 237, 1657 (1962).
Nagatsu, T., Levitt, M., and Udenfriend, S., J. Biol. Chem., 239, 2910 (1964).
Landsberg, L., and Axelrod, J., Circulation Res., 22, 559 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GEWIRTZ, G., KVETŇANSKÝ, R., WEISE, V. et al. Effect of ACTH and Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP on Catecholamine Synthesizing Enzymes in the Adrenals of Hypophysectomized Rats. Nature 230, 462–464 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/230462a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/230462a0
This article is cited by
-
Favorable Impact on Stress-Related Behaviors by Modulating Plasma Butyrylcholinesterase
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (2018)
-
Effect of glucocorticoids on catecholamine synthesis in the adrenals and heart of rats during physical fatigue
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (1977)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.