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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(6): 450-457
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243601
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

TASK1 and TASK3 Potassium Channels: Determinants of Aldosterone Secretion and Adrenocortical Zonation

S. Bandulik1 , D. Penton1 , J. Barhanin2 , R. Warth1
  • 1Physiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
  • 2Transport Ionique Aspects Normaux et Pathologiques, CNRS and Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
Further Information

Publication History

received 30.09.2009

accepted 23.11.2009

Publication Date:
04 January 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Potassium channels control the membrane voltage of aldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa cells. They are responsible for the unique K+ sensitivity of these cells and are important molecular targets of angiotensin II signaling. Among the 78 pore-forming K+ channels in human genome only a few are found in adrenal glands. The 2-P-domain K+ channels TASK1 and TASK3 are strongly expressed in the adrenal cortex and produce a background K+ conductance, which is pivotal for the regulation of the aldosterone secretion in zona glomerulosa cells. Disruption of the TASK1 gene in mice resulted in an autonomous aldosterone production and caused a remarkable aberrant expression of aldosterone synthase in zona fasciculata cells that normally produce glucocorticoids. After puberty, only in male mice aldosterone production was switched off in the zona fasciculata and regular zonation of aldosterone synthase occurred. In double mutant TASK1 –/– /TASK3 –/– mice, also adult male mice displayed primary hyperaldosteronism. Therefore, these knockout mice are interesting models to study mechanisms of autonomous aldosterone production and adrenocortical zonation. These data suggest that modifications of the adrenocortical K+ conductances could also contribute to autonomic aldosterone production and primary hyperaldosteronism in humans.

Key words

K2P - KCNK2 - KCNK3 - KCNK9 - adrenocortical zonation - aldosterone - angiotensin II - adrenal cortex

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Correspondence

Prof. Dr. R. Warth

Institut für Physiologie

NWF III – VKL

Universitätsstraße 31

93053 Regensburg

Germany

Phone: +49 941 943 2894

Fax: +49 941 943 2896

Email: richard.warth@vkl.uni-regensburg.de

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