Regulation of Aldosterone Production

Aldosterone is a key regulator of blood volume and pressure such that abnormalities in its production contribute to human diseases including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and salt-wasting forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The secretion of this steroid hormone is regulated primarily by angiotensin II and serum potassium levels that increase aldosterone production both acutely, through stimulation of multiple signaling events, and chronically, by regulating the expression of steroidogenic enzymes, in particular, aldosterone synthase. A variety of cell culture model systems have been used to help define the mechanisms that regulate aldosterone biosynthesis. These models arise from different species and have been studied under diverse in vitro conditions. The importance of aldosterone in maintaining electrolyte balance and as a common cause of hypertension supports the need for continued research to help define the detailed mechanisms controlling both normal and pathologic syntheses of aldosterone.