75 - HPA axis and adrenal gland Flashcards
In what hypothalamic nucleus is corticotrophin-releasing hormone/factor (CRH/CRF) release from?
PVN
What CRH/CRF stimulate the release of?
ACTH release from corticotropes in anterior pituitary
What is the target gland of ACTH?
What is produced?
- Adrenal cortex
- Cortisol
What triggers CRH release?
What are some specific eg’s?
Stress
- Emotional, chemical (e.g. drugs of abuse), physical (e.g. temperature)
How many AA’s is CRH?
41 AAs
Is CRH produced by parvo or magnocellular neurons of the PVN?
Parvocellular (ant pit)
What is the pattern of CRH release from the PVN?
Pulsatile (results in episodic release)
What is the half-life of CRH?
~5 min
What type of receptor does CRH bind?
GPCR
What are the names of the 2 CRH receptors?
CRH R1 and CRH R2
Regarding CRH receptors, which binds CRH in ant pit w/higher affinity?
Which binds w/higher affinity to urocortin?
- CRH R1
- CRH R2
What is the 2nd msger system of CRH after it binds its GPCR?
GPCR -> GDP -> GTP -> AC -> PKA -> L-type Ca2+ channels -> Ca2+ in -> ACTH release
What hormone acts synergistically w/CRH to increase amplitude of ACTH release from the ant pit?
AVP
What is the name of the receptors that cortisol binds to negatively feedback on both the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary?
Nuclear steroid hormone glucocorticoid receptor (GR)
What hormones does cortisol inhibit the synthesis and release of when it binds GRs on the PVN?
CRH and AVP
From what gene does cortisol come from?
POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin), along w/a number of other hormones that are important for pregnancy and fetal development
What are the names of the 2 receptors to which ACTH binds?
melanocortin 1 and 2 receptors (MC1R, MC2R)
Which of the 2 receptors that ACTH binds (MC1R or MC2R) have a higher affinity for ACTH?
Where is the other receptor found, which binds ACTH w/lower affinity?
- MC2R: Adrenal gland
- MC1R: Skin
Because ACTH binds the MC1R in the skin, very high levels of ACTH can lead to ____________ of the skin.
Hyperpigmentation (via melanin synthesis/dispersal)
How is small-lung cell carcinoma related to the stress HPA axis?
It’s a non-pituitary tumor that autonomously makes ACTH.
What are the immediate, subsequent, and long-term effects of ACTH binding its high-affinity MC2R receptor in the adrenal gland?
IMMEDIATE:
- Increased cholesterol esterase, decreased CE synthetase, increased cholesterol xport to mito, increased cholesterol binding to P450scc, increased pregnenolone production, increased StAR (all to make steroid hormones)
SUBSEQUENT
- Increased gene TS of P450scc/c17/c11, adrenoxin, LDL and HDL receptors
LONG-TERM
- Increased size and functional complexity of organelles
- Increased size and number of cells
The adrenal cortex derives from the (endo/meso/ecto-derm).
Mesoderm
The adrenal medulla derives from ______________.
Neural crest (it’s basically modified sympathetic postganglionic neurons)
(adrenal cortex or medulla?)
Steroid hormones are made in the ___________, while catecholamines are processed in the ____________.
cortex
medulla
Starting from the capsule and moving in, name the 4 layers of the adrenal gland.
Cortex: “GFR” (80-90%)
- Zona glomerulosa (15%)
- Zona fasciculata (65-80%)
- Zona reticularis (
What hormones are found in the zona glomerulosa?
Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
What hormones are found in the zona fasciculata?
Glucocorticoids (cortisol)
What hormones are found in the zona reticularis?
Weak androgens (DHEAS)
What hormones are synthesized in the medulla?
NE/E
Why do you see lipid droplets on histological sections of the adrenal cortex?
Steroidogenic cells need cholesterol to make steroids