Takahashi Kazuhiro, Totsune Kazuhito, Saruta Masayuki, Fukuda Tsuyoshi, Suzuki Takashi, Hirose Takuo, Imai Yutaka, Sasano Hironobu, Murakami Osamu
Department of Analytical Medical Technology, Tohoku University School of Health Sciences, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan.
Peptides. 2006 Jan;27(1):178-82. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2005.06.017. Epub 2005 Aug 10.
Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3)/stresscopin (SCP) is a novel peptide of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family and is a specific ligand for the CRF type 2 receptor. In the present study, we studied expression of Ucn3/SCP in the normal adrenal and adrenal tumors by radioimmunoassay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). High concentrations of immunoreactive (IR)-Ucn3 were present in the normal portions of adrenal glands (4.2+/-0.51 pmol/g wet weight, mean+/-S.E.M., n = 14), and the levels were higher than those in the brain. IR-Ucn3 was also detected in the tumor tissues of aldosterone-secreting adenomas (6.2+/-0.6 pmol/g wet weight, n = 10), cortisol-secreting adenomas (5.0+/-1.2 pmol/g wet weight, n = 4), and pheochromocytomas (1.9+/-0.4 pmol/g wet weight, n = 7). Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that IR-Ucn3 in normal portions of adrenal glands and aldosterone-secreting adenomas was eluted mainly in the positions of Ucn3 and SCP with several minor peaks eluting earlier. The RT-PCR showed expression of Ucn3 mRNA in normal portions of adrenal gland (positive ratio; 4/4), aldosterone-secreting adenomas (3/4), cortisol-secreting adenomas (1/3) and pheochromocytomas (6/7). These findings indicate that Ucn3 is produced in normal adrenal and adrenal tumors (both adrenocortical tumors and pheochromocytomas), and suggest that Ucn3 acts as an autocrine or paracrine regulator in normal adrenal and adrenal tumors.
尿皮质素3（Ucn 3）/应激肽（SCP）是促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子（CRF）家族的一种新型肽，是CRF 2型受体的特异性配体。在本研究中，我们通过放射免疫分析和逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）研究了Ucn3/SCP在正常肾上腺及肾上腺肿瘤中的表达。正常肾上腺组织中存在高浓度的免疫反应性（IR）-Ucn3（4.2±0.51 pmol/g湿重，平均值±标准误，n = 14），其水平高于脑内水平。在醛固酮分泌性腺瘤（6.2±0.6 pmol/g湿重，n = 10）、皮质醇分泌性腺瘤（5.0±1.2 pmol/g湿重，n = 4）和嗜铬细胞瘤（1.9±0.4 pmol/g湿重，n = 7）的肿瘤组织中也检测到了IR-Ucn3。反相高效液相色谱显示，正常肾上腺组织和醛固酮分泌性腺瘤中的IR-Ucn3主要在Ucn3和SCP的位置洗脱，还有几个较小的峰洗脱较早。RT-PCR显示Ucn3 mRNA在正常肾上腺组织（阳性率；4/4）、醛固酮分泌性腺瘤（3/4）、皮质醇分泌性腺瘤（1/3）和嗜铬细胞瘤（6/7）中表达。这些发现表明Ucn3在正常肾上腺及肾上腺肿瘤（肾上腺皮质肿瘤和嗜铬细胞瘤）中产生，提示Ucn3在正常肾上腺及肾上腺肿瘤中起自分泌或旁分泌调节因子的作用。
