Studies on the respiratory enzymes of the adrenal gland. I. The medulla. 1961

M J Spiro, and E G Ball

In contrast to the thoroughness with which the respiratory enzymes of such tissues as heart muscle and liver have been studied, information concerning these enzymes in the adrenal gland is scant. Such information as is available suggests that an unusual pattern for the cytochromes exists in this tissue. Cohen and Elvehjem (2) commented on the "peculiar cytochrome spectrum"of the adrenal medulla of the cow. They concluded that a very strong cytochrome c component was present, and that cytochrome a and 6 were absent. Huszák (3) noted that the adrenal cortex possessed a nearly normal cytochrome pattern. In the medulla he could observe no cytochrome a or c bands, but reported a strong band in the region of 559 rnp which he attributed to cytochrome 5. Since Huszák could demonstrate no cytochrome oxidase activity in the medulla, he felt that oxidation of substrates proceeded by way of a peroxidative mechanism. Tsou (4), on the other hand, was able to demonstrate cytochrome oxidase activity in the medulla, but little if any cytochrome c. He observed the presence of a strong band at 561 millimicron which was referred to as cytochrome b. In view of these divergent conclusions and in the light of newer methods and knowledge, it seemed worth-while to reinvestigate some of the oxidative pathways in the adrenal gland. The present study deals with the adrenal medulla, and an accompanying paper deals with the cortex (5). It will be shown here that the adrenal medulla contains the regular mitochondrial cytochrome system. In addition, this tissue contains a hemochromogen which is apparently microsomal in origin and is abundantly present in the epinephrine-containing granules. The presence in the medulla of the enzymes succinate dehydrogenase,reduced di- and triphosphopyridine nucleotide-cytochrome c reductase,and transhydrogenase is also demonstrated.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D009250 NADP Transhydrogenases Enzymes that catalyze the reversible reduction of NAD by NADPH to yield NADP and NADH. This reaction permits the utilization of the reducing properties of NADPH by the respiratory chain and in the reverse direction it allows the reduction of NADP for biosynthetic purposes. NADP Transhydrogenase,Pyridine Nucleotide Transhydrogenase,Energy-Linked Transhydrogenase,NAD Transhydrogenase,NADPH NAD Transhydrogenase,NADPH Transferase,Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase,Energy Linked Transhydrogenase,NAD Transhydrogenase, NADPH,Nucleotide Transhydrogenase, Nicotinamide,Nucleotide Transhydrogenase, Pyridine,Transferase, NADPH,Transhydrogenase, Energy-Linked,Transhydrogenase, NAD,Transhydrogenase, NADP,Transhydrogenase, NADPH NAD,Transhydrogenase, Nicotinamide Nucleotide,Transhydrogenase, Pyridine Nucleotide,Transhydrogenases, NADP
D010084 Oxidation-Reduction A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471). Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D003580 Cytochromes Hemeproteins whose characteristic mode of action involves transfer of reducing equivalents which are associated with a reversible change in oxidation state of the prosthetic group. Formally, this redox change involves a single-electron, reversible equilibrium between the Fe(II) and Fe(III) states of the central iron atom (From Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992, p539). The various cytochrome subclasses are organized by the type of HEME and by the wavelength range of their reduced alpha-absorption bands. Cytochrome
D006418 Heme The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the prosthetic group in many hemeproteins. Ferroprotoporphyrin,Protoheme,Haem,Heme b,Protoheme IX
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000302 Adrenal Cortex The outer layer of the adrenal gland. It is derived from MESODERM and comprised of three zones (outer ZONA GLOMERULOSA, middle ZONA FASCICULATA, and inner ZONA RETICULARIS) with each producing various steroids preferentially, such as ALDOSTERONE; HYDROCORTISONE; DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE; and ANDROSTENEDIONE. Adrenal cortex function is regulated by pituitary ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN. Cortex, Adrenal
D000313 Adrenal Medulla The inner portion of the adrenal gland. Derived from ECTODERM, adrenal medulla consists mainly of CHROMAFFIN CELLS that produces and stores a number of NEUROTRANSMITTERS, mainly adrenaline (EPINEPHRINE) and NOREPINEPHRINE. The activity of the adrenal medulla is regulated by the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM. Adrenal Medullas,Medulla, Adrenal,Medullas, Adrenal
D013385 Succinate Dehydrogenase A flavoprotein containing oxidoreductase that catalyzes the dehydrogenation of SUCCINATE to fumarate. In most eukaryotic organisms this enzyme is a component of mitochondrial electron transport complex II. Succinic Oxidase,Fumarate Reductase,Succinic Dehydrogenase,Dehydrogenase, Succinate,Dehydrogenase, Succinic,Oxidase, Succinic,Reductase, Fumarate

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