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Effect of ACTH and Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP on Catecholamine Synthesizing Enzymes in the Adrenals of Hypophysectomized Rats

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rats; levels of this enzyme are also restored by treatment with ACTH4 or dexamethasone (Gewirtz et al., unpublished observations).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.

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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

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