Role of Transcription Factor Oct4 in Postnatal Development and Function of the Adrenal Cortex

Abstract

We analyzed the expression of transcriptional factor Oct4 in rat adrenal cortical cells during postnatal development. It was found that Oct4 is expressed by typical cortical cells of the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis in pubertal and postpubertal periods. The maximum number of Oct4⁺ cells was found in the zona glomerulosa. An inverse correlation between the number of Oct4⁺ glomerulosa cells and serum level of aldosterone both in pubertal and postpubertal periods was revealed. After puberty, the number of Oct4⁺ glomerulosa cells directly correlated with the number of Ki-67⁺ cells. A hypothesis was put forward that Oct4 is involved in postnatal morphogenesis, regeneration, and functioning of the adrenal cortex.