Adrenaline synthesis: control by the pituitary gland and adrenal glucocorticoids.

Science (New York, N.Y.) ·Vol. 150 ·No. 3702 ·1965-12-10 ·Pages 1464-5

Wurtman RJ, Axelrod J

Abstract

The activity of phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase, an enzyme that synthesizes adrenaline from noradrenaline in the adrenal medulla, is markedly depressed following hypophysectomy. Enzyme activity is restored to normal after administration of ACTH or the potent glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. Thus the biosynthesis of adrenaline in the adrenal medulla appears to be regulated by the pituitary-adrenocortical system.

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Glands/enzymology Adrenal Medulla/enzymology Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/pharmacology Animals Dexamethasone/pharmacology Enzymes/pharmacology Epinephrine/biosynthesis Hypophysectomy In Vitro Techniques Metyrapone/pharmacology Norepinephrine/metabolism Organ Size Pituitary Gland/physiology Rats Transaminases/pharmacology

Chemicals

Enzymes Dexamethasone Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Transaminases Norepinephrine Epinephrine Metyrapone

Authors & Affiliations

2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Wurtman R J

Axelrod J

Article Info

Journal

Science (New York, N.Y.)

Abbr.

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

DOI

10.1126/science.150.3702.1464

Published

1965-12-10

Pages

1464-5

Language

English

Region

United States

NLM ID

0404511

Subset

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1126/science.150.3702.1464 View journal details

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Adrenaline synthesis: control by the pituitary gland and adrenal glucocorticoids.

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