Ultracytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase in rat adrenal gland exposed to stimulation by porcine brain natriuretic peptide

• Published in: The Histochemical journal 1993-05, Vol.25 (5), p.384-391
• Main Authors: RAMBOTTI, M. G, ERCOLANI, P, SPRECA, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex - drug effects; Adrenal Cortex - enzymology; Adrenal Cortex - ultrastructure; Adrenal Medulla - drug effects; Adrenal Medulla - enzymology; Adrenal Medulla - ultrastructure; Adrenals. Interrenals; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Guanylate Cyclase - metabolism; Histocytochemistry; Microscopy, Electron; Morphology. Functional localizations; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Nerve Tissue Proteins - pharmacology; Rats; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0018-2214; 1573-6865
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00159503

We studied the cytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase (GC) in rat adrenal gland after stimulation with porcine brain natriuretic peptide (pBNP) by electron microscopy. In the adrenal cortex, GC activity, as demonstrated by the presence of reaction product, was prevalently localized to the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata, while the zona reticularis showed little GC reaction product. In the adrenal medulla, GC reaction product was present only in adrenalin-containing cells. All GC positivity was associated with intracellular membranes. No GC reaction product was detected in specimens incubated in media devoid of pBNP. In parallel samples incubated in the presence of rat atrial natriuretic factor (rANF), the distribution of rANF-stimulated GC activity was similar to that of pBNP-stimulated GC activity.