Regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis: a continual challenge.

Aldosterone secretion by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex is directly influenced by a large, growing number of different physiologic agents. Their action includes: 1) acute stimulation or inhibition of early biosynthetic steps; 2) long-term activation or suppression of late biosynthetic steps; and 3) induction of growth or atrophy of zona glomerulosa cells. In rats, adaptation of late steps of aldosterone biosynthesis to sodium and potassium intake is mediated by the induction or repression of a second form of cytochrome P-45011 beta, which differs from the main form of the enzyme by a lower molecular weight and a greater range of catalytic properties.