1991 Volume 56 Issue 4 Pages 543-545
Effects of ATP and other purine derivatives on steroidogenesis in primary cultured bovine adrenocortical fasciculata cells were examined. At concentrations higher than 1 μM, ATP showed a potent stimulative effect on the cortisol production of the cells. The potency order of the steroidogenic effect of the tested purine derivatives was ATP > ADP >> adenosine >> AMP. α, β-Methylene ATP had no stimulative effect on the steroidogenesis at concentrations as high as 1 mM. Theophylline did not antagonize the steroidogenic effect of ATP. These results suggest that bovine adrenocortical fasciculata cells possess the P2y purinoceptors that are linked to steroidogenesis.