Cyclic AMP regulates expression of the gene coding for a mouse vas deferens protein related to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily in human and murine adrenocortical cells.

Mouse vas deferens protein (MVDP) is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. The regulation of MVDP gene expression by activators of the protein kinase A signalling pathway was investigated in human (H295-R) and murine (Y1) adrenocortical carcinoma cells. Immunoblotting with polyclonal antibodies showed that MVDP is expressed in adrenal glands from mouse, rat, rabbit and guinea-pig, probably under the control of ACTH. In both adrenocortical cell lines used, MVDP is constitutively synthesized and its accumulation is increased by treatment with cAMP or forskolin. MVDP mRNA steady-state levels were up-regulated by forskolin in adrenocortical cells by a process that does not require de novo protein synthesis. The results suggest that cAMP is at least one of the key regulators of adrenal MVDP expression and that this effect is direct.