Primary
aldosteronism is the most common form of secondary
hypertension and has significant cardiovascular consequences.
Aldosterone-producing
adenomas (APAs) are responsible for half the cases of primary
aldosteronism, and about half have mutations of the
G protein-activated inward rectifying
potassium channel Kir3.4. Under basal conditions, the adrenal zona glomerulosa cells are hyperpolarized with negative resting potentials determined by membrane permeability to K(+) mediated through various K(+) channels, including the leak K(+) channels TASK-1, TASK-3, and Twik-Related
Potassium Channel 1, and
G protein inward rectifying
potassium channel Kir3.4.
Angiotensin II decreases the activity of the leak K(+) channels and Kir3.4 channel and decreases the expression of the Kir3.4 channel, resulting in membrane depolarization, increased intracellular
calcium,
calcium-
calmodulin pathway activation, and increased expression of
cytochrome P450 aldosterone synthase (
CYP11B2), the last
enzyme for
aldosterone production. Somatic mutations of the selectivity filter of the Kir3.4 channel in APA results in loss of selectivity for K(+) and entry of
sodium, resulting in membrane depolarization,
calcium mobilization, increased
CYP11B2 expression, and
hyperaldosteronism. Germ cell mutations cause
familial hyperaldosteronism type 3, which is associated with adrenal zona glomerulosa
hyperplasia, rather than
adenoma. Less commonly, somatic mutations of the
sodium-potassium ATPase,
calcium ATPase, or the
calcium channel calcium channel voltage-dependent L type alpha 1D have been found in some APAs. The regulation of
aldosterone secretion is exerted to a significant degree by activation of membrane K(+) and
calcium channels or pumps, so it is not surprising that the known causes of disorders of
aldosterone secretion in APA have been
channelopathies, which activate mechanisms that increase
aldosterone synthesis.