The Gene Expression Of Cytochrome P-450110 During Adrenal Regeneration In The Rat: Studies Using In Situ Hybridization.

Low levels of mRNA for the key adrenal steroidogenic enzyme, cytochrome P-45On0, have been reported in the early stages of adrenal regeneration. To determine whether the defect in cytochrome P-450n/3 gene expression is located in the adrenal zona fasciculata or glomerulosa, in situ hybridization techniques have been employed. Sections from 1 week regenerating adrenals were probed with sense and anti-sense cytochrome P-450ii/J RNA. The signal was intense in the zona fasciculata cells in control adrenals but very low in those of adrenal regenerates. These data establish that the low levels of mRNA transcripts of cytochrome P-450n/3 are localized to the zona fasciculata cells responsible for 11-deoxycorticosterone secretion in regenerating adrenals.