Denervation of rat adrenal glands markedly increases preproenkephalin mRNA.

The effect of denervation on the expression of rat adrenal proenkephalin has been examined. Following splanchnicectomy there was a several-fold increase in the steady-state levels of preproenkephalin mRNA, which became maximal after 24-48 hr (greater than 10-fold). These results indicate that the previously observed increase in rat adrenal enkephalin-containing peptides following denervation occurs entirely by a pretranslational mechanism. The increase in preproenkephalin mRNA was accompanied by a 50-75% decrease in rat adrenal poly(A)+ RNA. Neural input thus exerts a profound trophic influence on proenkephalin gene expression and RNA metabolism in rat adrenals.