Adrenocortical zonation results from lineage conversion of differentiated zona glomerulosa cells.

ABSTRACT: Lineage conversion of differentiated cells in response to hormonal feedback has yet to be described. To investigate this, we studied the adrenal cortex, which is composed of functionally distinct concentric layers that develop postnatally, the outer zona glomerulosa (zG) and the inner zona fasciculata (zF). These layers have separate functions, are continuously renewed in response to physiological demands, and are regulated by discrete hormonal feedback loops. Their cellular origin, lineage relationship, and renewal mechanism, however, remain poorly understood. Cell-fate mapping and gene-deletion studies using zG-specific Cre expression demonstrate that differentiated zG cells undergo lineage conversion into zF cells. In addition, zG maintenance is dependent on the master transcriptional r

SUBMITTER: Freedman BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3791142 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature