Ca and K channels of normal human adrenal zona fasciculata cells: Properties and modulation by ACTH and AngII

In mammals, adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells of the adrenal cortex secrete glucocorticoids in a diurnal pattern in response to stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Superimposed on this basal secretory pattern, physical and psychological stress triggers bursts of ACTH-stimulated cortisol production by activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (Stewart and Krone, 2011). In some species, including bovine and human, AngII may also stimulate cortisol secretion (Clyne et al., 1993; Lebrethon et al., 1994; Mlinar et al., 1995). Cortisol acts pivotally in regulating physiological functions ranging from energy metabolism to long-term memory formation (Stewart and Krone, 2011; Chen et al., 2012). At the cellular level, the biochemical and ionic mechanisms that regulate glucocorticoid production are only partially understood. However, in bovine and rodents, a pivotal role for depolarization-dependent Ca entry is well established (Matthews and Saffran, 1973; Lymangrover et al., 1982;