I. Introduction: The Adrenal Functional Unit II. Interaction Between Adrenal Medulla and Adrenal Cortex A. Relationship between medullary and cortical cells B. Paracrine control of adrenocortical function by the adrenal medulla C. Gap junctions in the adrenal cortex D. Summary III. Innervation of the Adrenal Cortex A. Evidence for a nerve supply to the adrenal cortex B. The source of adrenocortical innervation C. Regulation of adrenocortical innervation D. Role of the splanchnic nerve in regulating adrenocortical neural function E. Influence of adrenal innervation on adrenocortical function F. Effects of neurotransmitter substances on adrenocortical function G. Summary IV. The Vascular System of the Adrenal Gland A. Regulation of blood flow B. Relationship between blood flow and steroid secretion C. Effects of vascular endothelial cell products on steroid secretion D. Summary V. The Intraadrenal CRH/ACTH System A. Extrapituitary effect of CRH B. Intraadrenal ACTH C. Intraadrenal CRH and CRH receptors D. F...

Intraadrenal Interactions in the Regulation of Adrenocortical Steroidogenesis

Rat neuropeptide Y precursor gene expression. mRNA structure, tissue distribution, and regulation by glucocorticoids, cyclic AMP, and phorbol ester.

Neuropeptide Y as an autonomic neurotransmitter.

Chromogranins A, B, and C: Widespread Constituents of Secretory Vesicles

Two peptides that are structurally related to the molluscan tetrapeptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRF-NH2) were recently isolated from bovine brain extract (Yang et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:7757-7761, '85). These peptides have an attenuating effect on morphine-induced analgesia when injected intracerebroventricularly in rats. Antisera against the two peptides--an octapeptide, Phe-Leu-Phe-Gln-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe-NH2 (F8F-NH2), and an octadecapeptide, Ala-Gly-Glu-Gly-Leu-Ser-Ser-Pro-Phe-Trp-Ser-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Gln-Arg-Phe- NH2 (A18F-NH2)--were raised in rabbits and characterized with standard radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemical blocking controls. This study was aimed at localizing neurons in the rat brain that contain immunoreactivity for these peptides. Cryostat sections of normal and colchicine-treated Sprague-Dawley rat brains were incubated with the specific antisera and the immunoreactivity was visualized by the PAP or the FITC method. Immunoreactive neurons were detected in the hypothalamus and nucleus of the solitary tract. Relatively dense networks of fibers and terminals were observed in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Fibers and terminals were also seen in the lateral septum, amygdala, hypothalamus, neurohypophysis, thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and several medullary nuclei. In these areas the immunoreactivity was abolished when the antisera were incubated with the corresponding synthetic peptides F8F-NH2 and A18F-NH2. Preincubation of the antisera with neuropeptide Y (NPY) did not affect the staining. The results suggest that there are neurons in the rat brain that contain F8F-NH2- and A18F-NH2-like peptides. The neuronal system described here may have a role in the regulation of autonomic functions, such as hypothalamic control and respiratory functions. The neuronal connections of the cells containing F8F-NH2- and A18F-NH2-like peptides remain to be studied.

Immunohistochemical distribution and partial characterization of FLFQPQRFamidelike peptides in the central nervous system of rats.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) distribution in bovine adrenal glands was studied by RIA and immunohistochemical technique. NPY content (picomoles per mg protein ± SEM) of chromaffin cells, medulla, cortex, and whole glands was 4.2 ± 0.16, 2.7 ± 0.28, 0.19 ± 0.02, and 0.94 ± 0.14, respectively, while the chromaffin granule NPY content was 53. Immunohistochemically, NPY immunoreactivity was detected in norepinephrine containing chromaffin cells and also in nerve fibers crossing through adrenal cortex and medulla. NPY and enkephalin immunoreactivities were found in distinct chromaffin cells. Biochemical characterization by HPLC revealed two major NPY immunoreactive peptides. The most abundant molecular form was identified as authentic NPY. (Endocrinology 117: 1162–1168, 1985)

E. A. Majane

Papers

Neuropeptide Y in bovine adrenal glands: distribution and characterization.