Authors: Nick A. Guagliardo, Peter M. Klein, Christina A. Gancayco, Adam Lu, Sining Leng, Rany R. Makarem, Chelsea Cho, Craig G. Rusin, David T. Breault, Paula Q. Barrett, Mark P. Beenhakker
Published: 2020-04-03
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15408-4
Source: Full article
AbstractAldosterone-producing zona glomerulosa (zG) cells of the adrenal gland arrange in distinct multi-cellular rosettes that provide a structural framework for adrenal cortex morphogenesis and plasticity. Whether this cyto-architecture also plays functional roles in signaling remains unexplored. To determine if structure informs function, we generated mice with zG-specific expression of GCaMP3 and imaged zG cells within their native rosette structure. Here we demonstrate that within the rosette, angiotensin II evokes periodic Cav3-dependent calcium events that form bursts that are stereotypic in form. Our data reveal a critical role for angiotensin II in regulating burst occurrence, and a multifunctional role for the rosette structure in activity-prolongation and coordination. Combined our data define the calcium burst as the fundamental unit of zG layer activity evoked by angiotensin II and highlight a novel role for the rosette as a facilitator of cell communication.