Adrenal gland - Main components of the axis

4 important questions on Adrenal gland - Main components of the axis

What are the main components of the adrenal axis?

Hypothalamus: CRH
AP: ACTH
Endocrine targets: adrenal cortex, cortisol
Non endocrine targets: many tissues

What is the effect of ACTH in the body?

Binds to MC2-R receptors (Gs protein coupled)
- Stimulates glucocorticoid secretion (cortisol)
- Stimulates sex steroid secretion (DHEAS)

Which receptor inhibits ACTH secretion?

SSTR5: somatostatin receptor type 5, target for pituitary adenomas
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How are corticosteroids made (steroidogenesis)?

1. ACTH binds ACTH-R (G protein cAMP)
2. cAMP stimulates StAR protein production/insertion
3. Cholesterol transported into mitochondria (via StAR protein) 4. Cholesterol moves to INNER mitochondrial membrane
5. P450scc (side-chain cleavage enzyme) acts to convert Cholesterol to Pregnenolone (P5)

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