Structure and dynamics of adrenal mitochondria following stimulation with corticotropin releasing hormone
- 1 October 1992
- journal article
- endocrinology
- Published by Wiley in The Anatomical Record
- Vol. 234 (2), 255-262
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092340212
Abstract
The mitochondria of rat adrenals were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in different functional states of the adrenal cortex. Following stimulation of the animals with corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), the corticosterone serum levels reached a maximum 1 hour after stimulation with CRH. The amount of inner mitochondrial membrane within the zona fasciculata increased showing a biphasic time course, with a first maximum 2 hours and a second maximum 8 hours after stimulation. In contrast, a significant rise of mitochondrial volume occurred only 24 hours after CRH stimulation. Therefore, the dense vesicularization of mitochondrial cristae may constitute an early process to enhance the steroidogenic capacity of these cells. Within cells of the transition zone between zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, we could depict a special type of mitochondria with characteristic crescent‐like cristae only seen after stimulation with CRH. This type of mitochondria may represent an intermediate form between mitochondria of zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata underlining the impressive transformational capacity of adrenocortical mitochondria. After hypophysectomy, zona fasciculata cells contained mitochondria with tubular inner membranes, representing a hypofunctional state. In contrast, the hypofunctional state after hypophysectomy and the hyperfunctional state after stimulation of the adrenal cortex via CRH injection did not appear to correlate with the morphology of mitochondria from the zona reticularis and adrenal medulla.© Willey‐Liss, Inc.This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of the infusion with ACTH or crh on the secretory activity of RAT adrenal cortexJournal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1989
- Ability of corticotropin releasing hormone to stimulate cortisol secretion independent from pituitary adrenocorticotropinLife Sciences, 1988
- Regulation of the Synthesis of Steroidogenic Enzymes in Adrenal Cortical Cells by ACTHAnnual Review of Physiology, 1988
- Corticotropin‐releasing Factor Receptors: Distribution and Regulation in Brain, Pituitary, and Peripheral TissuesAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1987
- Effect of corticotropin-releasing factor on adrenal DBH and PNMT activityPeptides, 1987
- Why mitochondria need a genomeFEBS Letters, 1986
- Stress Hormones: Their Interaction and RegulationScience, 1984
- Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Regulates Proopiomelanocortin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels in vivoNeuroendocrinology, 1984
- Unusual mitochondrial morphology in the rat adrenal cortex following hypophysectomyJournal of Anatomy, 1973
- The ultrastructure of the adrenal cortex of the rat under normal and experimental conditionsJournal of Ultrastructure Research, 1971