In vitro effect of cytochalasin B on adrenal steroidogenesis in frog

In order to examine the role of microfilaments in adrenal steroidogenesis, we have studied the effect of cytochalasin B on corticosteroid secretion by frog interrenal tissue in vitro. Perifusion of interrenal fragments with increasing concentrations of cytochalasin B (ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M) led to a dose-related inhibition of corticosterone and aldosterone secretion. Immunohistochemical examination of adrenocortical fragments, using specific anti-actin antibodies, showed that cytochalasin B (5 X 10(-5) M) was responsible for the disappearance of the microfilament network. Administration of 2 consecutive doses of cytochalasin B (5 X 10(-5) M) was responsible for a reproducible and reversible inhibition of corticosteroid secretion. In addition, cytochalasin B (5 X 10(-5) M) totally inhibited the stimulatory effect of angiotensin II, prostaglandin E1 and VIP. It also induced a marked decrease in both ACTH- and dbcAMP-induced stimulation of corticosteroidogenesis. These data indicate that cytochalasin B, which blocked the effect of all adrenal stimulating factors tested, interferes with a late step in the common pathway involved in the response of frog adrenocortical cells to all corticotropic stimuli.