Non-genomic effects of aldosterone: new actions and questions.

Although the classical actions of aldosterone are mediated through genomic pathways, there is a growing recognition of important nongenomic responses to aldosterone. New data are presented from two laboratories showing a nongenomic effect of aldosterone to activate protein kinase C (PKC) in heart and kidney. Among the actions of PKC is the stimulation of transcription factors, raising the question of whether there is an inter-relationship of nongenomic with genomic influences--aldosterone induced nongenomic effects might modulate genomic effects. This expanded role of aldosterone will require exploration in future studies.