Angiotensin II regulation of adrenocortical gene transcription

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is the key peptide hormone in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Its ability to regulate levels of circulating aldosterone relies on actions on adrenal glomerulosa cells. Many of the Ang II effects on glomerulosa cells involve a precisely coordinated regulation of signaling cascades and gene expression. The development of genome-wide gene arrays has allowed the definition of transcriptome-wide effects of Ang II in adrenocortical cells. Analysis of the Ang II gene targets reveals broad effects on cellular gene expression, particularly the rapid induction of numerous transcription factors that may regulate long-term steroid metabolism and cell growth/proliferation. Herein we discuss the Ang II-induced genes in adrenocortical cells and review the progress in defining the role of these genes in zona glomerulosa function.