Neuroendocrine Regulation of Frog Adrenocortical Cells by Neurotensin

Flavie Sicard (1, 2) , D de Groot (3) , Marjorie Gras (1, 2) , Jérôme Leprince (1, 2) , J Michael Conlon (4) , Eric W Roubos (3) , Hubert Vaudry (1, 2) , Catherine Delarue (1, 2)

1 Neuroendocrinologie cellulaire et moléculaire
2 IFRMP 23 - Institut Fédératif de Recherches Multidisciplinaires sur les Peptides
3 Radboud University [Nijmegen]
4 UAEU - United Arab Emirates University

We previously characterized the primary structure of neurotensin (NT) from an extract of the intestine of the frog Rana esculenta. In this study, we provide evidence for the involvement of NT in the neurocrine regulation of the secretory activity of frog adrenocortical cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the adrenal gland of R. esculenta is innervated by a dense network of NT-immunoreactive fibers. Graded concentrations of frog NT induced a dose-dependent stimulation of corticosterone and aldosterone secretion by frog adrenocortical explants through activation of two receptors with pEC(50) of 9.8 and 6.9. These data support the view that NT, released by nerve fibers within the frog adrenal gland, acts locally to control corticosteroid secretion.

Domains: Chemical Sciences; Medicinal Chemistry; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Cellular Biology; Cell Behavior [q-bio.CB]; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]; Neurobiology; Life Sciences [q-bio]; Pharmaceutical sciences; Pharmacology

Flavie Sicard, D de Groot, Marjorie Gras, Jérôme Leprince, J Michael Conlon, et al.. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Frog Adrenocortical Cells by Neurotensin. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2005, 1040 (1), pp.200-205. ⟨10.1196/annals.1327.025⟩. ⟨hal-01974031⟩