[The participation of protein synthesis in the K+-dependent activation of hormonal biosynthesis in the adrenal cortex of guinea pigs].

An in vitro effect of cycloheximide (CHI), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, on the stimulation of steroidogenesis, caused by a rise of K+ concentration in a medium from 1 to 10 mM, was studied. A rise of a K+ level in the incubation of guinea-pig adrenocortical sections resulted in enhanced protein synthesis and activation of aldosterone and corticosterone synthesis from cholesterol. CHI addition completely suppressed these effects of K+. Comparison of incorporation of a cholesterol and corticosterone mark in aldosterone suggests that a rise of a K+ level within physiological limits enhanced hormone biosynthesis at the stage of splitting off a lateral cholesterol chain. The authors discuss a possible involvement of protein synthesis, stimulated by a high K+ concentration, in acceleration of final reactions of aldosterone biosynthesis.