Description
We demonstrate that PKA signalling drives zonal conversion within adult adrenocortical lineage in a sexually dimorphic manner. Our data establish that Prkar1a genetic ablation (leading to constitutive PKA activation) in the adult adrenocortical lineage leads to endocrine hyperactivity and accelerates adrenal cortex renewal. This results in increased zona fasciculata differentiation and final conversion into reticularis-like zone. This phenomenon relies partly on sex-dependent mechanisms of cortical renewal, on which the male androgenic milieu exerts a repressive action through induction of WNT signalling, which in turn antagonizes PKA signalling and cortical cell turnover.