Repression of DAX-1 and induction of SF-1 expression. Two mechanisms contributing to the activation of aldosterone biosynthesis in adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulate aldosterone biosynthesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex through induction of the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, which promotes intramitochondrial cholesterol transfer. To understand the mechanism of this induction of the StAR protein, we have examined the effect of Ang II and forskolin, a mimicker of adrenocorticotropic hormone action, on two transcription factors known to modulate StAR gene expression in opposite ways, DAX-1 and SF-1, in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells in primary culture. Ang II markedly inhibited DAX-1 protein expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (to 38.7 +/- 12.9% of controls at 3 nm after 6 h, p < 0.01), an effect that required de novo protein synthesis and ERK2/1 activation. This effect was associated with a concomitant decrease in DAX-1 mRNA and an increase in mitochondrial StAR protein levels. Similarly, forskolin dramatically repressed DAX-1 protein and mRNA expression (to 19.6 +/- 1.8 and 50.3 +/- 4.7% of controls, respectively, p < 0.01). Neither Ang II nor forskolin affected DAX-1 protein and mRNA stability. The aldosterone response to Ang II was markedly reduced (to 59 +/- 4% of controls, p < 0.01) in transiently transfected cells overexpressing DAX-1. Whereas Ang II was without effect on SF-1 expression, forskolin significantly increased SF-1 protein and mRNA levels in a cycloheximide-sensitive manner (to 167.4 +/- 16.6 and 173.1 +/- 25.1% of controls after 6 h, respectively, p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that the balance between repressor and inducer function of DAX-1 and SF-1 are of critical importance in the regulation of adrenal aldosterone biosynthesis.