Thyrotropin releasing hormone. A review of the mechanisms of acute stimulation of pituitary hormone release

Comparing Transcriptomes Reveals Key Metabolic Mechanisms in Superior Growth Performance Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Metabolic capacity is intrinsic to growth performance. To investigate superior growth performance in Nile tilapia, three full-sib families were bred and compared at the biochemical and transcriptome levels to determine metabolic mechanisms involved in significant growth differences between individuals under the same culture environment and feeding regime. Biochemical analysis showed that individuals in the higher growth group had significantly higher total protein, total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high- and low-density lipoproteins, but significantly lower glucose, as compared with individuals in the lower growth group. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed 536 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated, and 622 DEGs were downregulated. These genes were significantly enriched in three key pathways: the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle), fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, and cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism. Conjoint analysis of these key pathways and the biochemical parameters suggests that Nile tilapia with superior growth performance have higher ability to consume energy substrates (e.g., glucose), as well as higher ability to biosynthesize fatty acids and cholesterol. Additionally, the fatty acids biosynthesized by the superior growth performance individuals were less active in the catabolic pathway overall, but were more active in the anabolic pathway, and might be used for triglyceride biosynthesis to store excess energy in the form of fat. Furthermore, the tilapia with superior growth performance had lower ability to convert cholesterol into bile acids, but higher ability to convert it into sterols. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of the three key metabolic pathways, map the pathways, and note key factors that may impact the growth of Nile tilapia. The results provide an important guide for the artificial selection and quality enhancement of superior growth performance in tilapia.

Dependence of hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel activity on basal cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in spontaneously firing GH3 cells

The hyperpolarisation-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels play a distinct role in the control of membrane excitability in spontaneously active cardiac and neuronal cells. Here, we studied the expression and role of HCN channels in pacemaking activity, Ca(2+) signalling, and prolactin secretion in GH(3) immortalised pituitary cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the presence of mRNA transcripts for HCN2, HCN3 and HCN4 subunits in these cells. A hyperpolarisation of the membrane potential below - 60 mV elicited a slowly activating voltage-dependent inward current (I(h)) in the majority of tested cells, with a half-maximal activation voltage of -89.9 +/- 4.2 mV and with a time constant of 1.4 +/- 0.2 s at -120 mV. The bath application of 1 mM Cs(+), a commonly used inorganic blocker of I(h), and 100 microM ZD7288, a specific organic blocker of I(h), inhibited I(h) by 90 +/- 4.1% and 84.3 +/- 1.8%, respectively. Receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated activation of adenylyl and soluble guanylyl cyclase and the addition of a membrane permeable cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, 8-Br-cAMP, did not affect I(h). Inhibition of basal adenylyl cyclase activity, but not basal soluble guanylyl cyclase activity, led to a reduction in the peak amplitude and a leftward shift in the activation curve of I(h) by 23.7 mV. The inhibition of the current was reversed by stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin and by the addition of 8-Br-cAMP, but not 8-Br-cGMP. Application of Cs(+) had no significant effect on the resting membrane potential or electrical activity, whereas ZD7288 exhibited complex and I(h)-independent effects on spontaneous electrical activity, Ca(2+) signalling, and prolactin release. These results indicate that HCN channels in GH(3) cells are under tonic activation by basal level of cAMP and are not critical for spontaneous firing of action potentials.

Constitutively active Gq-alpha stimulates prolactin promoter activity via a pathway involving Raf activity

We have investigated the ability of a constitutively active Gq-alpha mutant, Q209L-alpha q, to regulate target gene expression. Transient expression in GH3 pituitary cells of a rat proximal prolactin promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct (-187)PRL-CAT, was stimulated by co-expression of Q209L alpha q, but not by wild-type alpha q. Q209L-alpha q stimulated expression of constructs driven by promoters for either rat prolactin or growth hormone, but not of a control construct driven by the thymidine kinase promoter. Thus, transcriptional effects of alpha q are specific both for the activated state of this G-alpha subunit and the promoter examined. Since both the prolactin and growth hormone promoters are activated by the pituitary cell-specific transcription factor Pit-1, we examined whether a Pit-1 binding site could direct a response to Q209L-alpha q. Two copies of prolactin promoter Pit-1 binding site 1P conferred upon a heterologous metallothionein promoter a response to Q209L-alpha q, implying an involvement of this site in the transcriptional action of Q209L-alpha q on the prolactin promoter. The phorbol ester activator of protein kinase C, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, stimulated (-187)PRL-CAT activity, but opposed the action of Q209L-alpha q on activity of this PRL-CAT construct. Q209L-alpha q stimulation of (-187)PRL-CAT activity was inhibited by co-expression of a dominant negative Raf mutant, Raf-C4, but not by a point mutant of Raf-C4 with reduced inhibitory properties. These results imply that activated alpha q subunits can stimulate prolactin promoter activity via a pathway that involves a Pit-1 DNA binding site(s), is opposed by protein kinase C, and is mediated by a pathway in which Raf-1 kinase plays a role.

Evidence that TRH controls prolactin release from rat lactotrophs by stimulating a calcium influx

Prolactin (PRL) release and intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i were measured in two populations of normal rat lactotrophs (light and heavy fractions) in culture. Spontaneous PRL release of heavy fraction cells was more sensitive to dihydropyridines (DHPs; Bay K 8644 and nifedipine) when compared to the light fraction lactotrophs. The stimulatory effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on PRL release from heavy fraction cells was inhibited by Cd2+ and mimicked by Bay K 8644. Indo-1 experiments revealed that TRH-increased [Ca2+]i was reversibly inhibited by Cd2+. In a Ca(2+)-free EGTA-containing medium, TRH did not modify [Ca2+]i.

An alternatively spliced Pit-1 isoform altered in its ability to trans-activate

Although alternative splicing has been shown to give rise to isoforms of a number of transcription factors, such isoforms have not previously been detected for the POU homeodomain protein Pit-1. Screening of a rat pituitary GH3 cell cDNA expression library yielded a clone, termed pCMVPit-1a, encoding a 35.8 kD protein (Pit-1a) containing a 26 amino acid insert in the Pit-1 trans-activation domain. The position of the insert, plus Southern blot analysis, implied that Pit-1a mRNA arises by alternative splicing of the Pit-1 gene transcript. Pit-1a mRNA was detected in GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells at levels about 1/7 that of Pit-1 mRNA. Pit-1a mRNA-specific sequences were also detected in rat and mouse pituitary, and in mouse thyrotropic tumor TtT cells. DNA mobility shift assays showed that Pit-1a binds specifically to Pit-1 binding sites in the proximal prolactin promoter, but produces DNA-protein complexes of markedly different mobilities than Pit-1. In stably transfected CHO cells which accumulated approximately equal levels of either of the two proteins, Pit-1 trans-activated a prolactin promoter-driven CAT construct, while Pit-1a yielded no detectable transactivation, implying a trans-activation ratio for Pit-1a/Pit-1 of less than 0.05. Thus, the insertion of 26 amino acids of similar composition into the activation domain of Pit-1 has at once affected both the mode of binding of this protein and its ability to function as a trans-activator.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced cytosolic calcium transients: characterisation of store refilling in bovine anterior pituitary cells

The intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual bovine anterior pituitary cells was measured using fura-2 and ratiometric imaging. Addition of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the presence of external calcium ion ([Ca2+]e; 1 mM) caused a rapid transient increase in [Ca2+]i falling to a plateau which remained above pre-stimulation levels in the continued presence of TRH. Decreasing [Ca2+]e to 0.1 microM decreased [Ca2+]i. At 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e, the first TRH addition caused the rapid transient rise in [Ca2+]i but no plateau phase and a second addition of TRH did not cause a second transient rise. However, the second application of TRH in 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e caused a rise in [Ca2+]i if it was preceded by transient exposure of the cells to 2 mM [Ca2+]e. The presence of nitrendipine, 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBHQ), or TRH during the re-exposure to external calcium blocked this recovery of subsequent responses to TRH in the presence of only 0.1 microM [Ca2+]e. We conclude that refilling of the calcium stores depleted by TRH occurred only after the removal of agonist, used a tBHQ-sensitive uptake mechanism, and was mainly sustained by voltage-gated calcium entry into the cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone regulation of g protein function in the rat anterior pituitary lobe

Abstract In order to evaluate the role of guanine nucleotide-dependent transducer proteins (G proteins) in hormone-mediated signal transduction in the anterior pituitary lobe, we examined the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on two parameters of G protein function, namely [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S binding and low K(m)GTPase activity. Plasma membranes were prepared from anterior pituitary lobes of adult male rats using conventional procedures. GTP binding was determined by incubating 2 to 5 mug membrane protein with approximately 100,000 cpm [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris- HCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol, and 100 mM NaCI at a pH of 7.4 for 10 or 15 min at 37 degrees C GnRH agonist and TRH stimulated high affinity [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S binding in a concentration-dependent manner. GTP binding was maximally stimulated by GnRH agonist (1 muM) and TRH (0.1 muM) by up to 27% and 34%, respectively. A time-course study revealed that 1 muM GnRH agonist stimulated GTP binding by 30% at 15 min; 0.1 muM TRH stimulated GTP binding by 23% at 1 min, 18% at 5 min and 25% at 10 min. A stable GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, inhibited GnRH- as well as TRH-stimulated GTP binding. GnRH antagonist did not affect GTP binding. However, in the presence of the antagonist, stimulation of GTP binding by the GnRH agonist was completely blocked. The low K(m)GTPase activity (EC 3.6.1.-), another parameter of G protein function, was assayed in 2 to 5 mug membrane protein using [gamma-(32) P]GTP at 37 degrees C in an ATP-regenerating buffer containing 1 muM unlabeled GTP. GnRH agonist (0.1 muM) and TRH (1 muM) maximally stimulated this GTPase activity by up to 50% and 40%, respectively. GnRH agonist (1 muM) stimulated the GTPase activity by 30% at 10 min and 48% at 30 min. TRH (1 muM) stimulated the GTPase activity at all time points monitored; stimulation was 46% at 5 min, 49% at 20 min, and 41% at 30 min. Interestingly, the GnRH antagonist stimulated GTPase activity by about 20%, but inhibited GnRH agonist-stimulated GTPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the binding of GnRH and TRH to their receptors results in interaction of the receptor with a G protein and activation of the G protein cycle.

Prolactin upstream factor I mediates cell-specific transcription

DNA sequence-specific chromatography was used to purify prolactin upstream factor I (PUF-I) approximately 10,000- to 20,000-fold from rat GH3 cells. The purified transcription factor reconstituted enhanced pituitary-specific prolactin RNA synthesis in nonpituitary in vitro transcription assays. In vitro mutagenesis demonstrated that the capacity to stimulate prolactin gene transcription was directly correlated with PUF-I binding to an A+T-rich region located from -63 to -36 in the prolactin 5'-flanking DNA. We propose that PUF-I is a critical modulator of transcriptional activity in pituitary cells and has a central role in the stimulation of prolactin gene transcription in the mammalian pituitary lactotroph.

Prolactin upstream factor I mediates cell-specific transcription

DNA sequence-specific chromatography was used to purify prolactin upstream factor I (PUF-I) approximately 10,000- to 20,000-fold from rat GH3 cells. The purified transcription factor reconstituted enhanced pituitary-specific prolactin RNA synthesis in nonpituitary in vitro transcription assays. In vitro mutagenesis demonstrated that the capacity to stimulate prolactin gene transcription was directly correlated with PUF-I binding to an A+T-rich region located from -63 to -36 in the prolactin 5'-flanking DNA. We propose that PUF-I is a critical modulator of transcriptional activity in pituitary cells and has a central role in the stimulation of prolactin gene transcription in the mammalian pituitary lactotroph.

Hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase of prolactin-producing rat pituitary adenoma (GH4C1) cells: molecular organization

Hormonal activation and inhibition of the GH4Cl1 cell adenylate cyclase complex is delineated. In the presence of the guanyl nucleotide GTP, enzyme activity was enhanced twofold by thyroliberin, sixfold by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), twofold by prostaglandin E2 and twofold by isoproterenol. The diterpene, forskolin, increased, the activity 14-fold. In the presence of high GTP (400 microM) and NaCl (150 mM) concentrations, somatostatin inhibited (ED50 = 0.5 microM) the cyclase activity by 40%. In the presence of 10 microM somatostatin, the ED50 values (5 nM) for thyroliberin- and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were shifted to 20 nM. Forskolin-elicited activation was, however, not affected by somatostatin. Cholera-toxin and pertussis-toxin pretreatment of the enzyme brought about some 20-fold and twofold activation, respectively. Inhibition by somatostatin was abolished upon pre-exposure to pertussis toxin. Mild alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide increased basal and hormone-activated adenylate cyclase while somatostatin again failed to express its inhibitory potential. Further alkylation caused a gradual decline and convergence of hormone-modulated cyclase activities towards zero. The N-ethylmaleimide-induced attenuation of thyroliberin-elicited activity was paralleled by a decrease in [3H]thyroliberin binding. Trifluoperazine and an anti-calmodulin serum reduced basal and net thyroliberin-, VIP- and forskolin-enhanced cyclase activities by some 30%, 100%, 70% and 80%, respectively. The Vmax of basal and thyroliberin-stimulated adenylate cyclase was diminished by 65%, leaving the apparent Km values (7.2 mM and 2.6 mM, respectively) for Mg2+ unaltered. Finally, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) doubled the activity. This effect was counteracted by the protein kinase C inhibitor, polymyxin B, while thyroliberin-enhanced adenylate cyclase remained unaffected. In summary, we have described an adenylate cyclase with stimulatory (Rs) and inhibitory (Ri) receptors coupled to a calmodulin-sensitive holoenzyme through the Gs and Gi type of GTP-binding proteins. The ratio of the Gs to Gi is high. It appears that the GH4C1 cell adenylate cyclase is also activated by protein kinase C by interference with Gi. Apparently, thyroliberin activates the cyclase both directly through Gs and indirectly via protein kinase C stimulation.

TRH and BAY K 8644 synergistically stimulate prolactin release but not 45Ca2+ uptake

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (1 microM) and the Ca2+-channel agonist BAY K 8644 (1 microM) each induced transient increases in prolactin secretion from primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells in perifusion. When BAY K 8644 was added after a TRH-induced secretory peak, the additional effect of BAY K 8644 on prolactin release was approximately twofold greater over a 30-min period than the effect of BAY K 8644 on previously untreated cells. TRH and BAY K 8644 were also synergistic when added in the opposite order or simultaneously. Substitution of other agents for BAY K 8644 revealed that only high K+ (40 mM) was at least additive with TRH in stimulating prolactin secretion; treatment with TRH inhibited, rather than facilitated, subsequent stimulation of prolactin secretion by angiotensin II (100 nM) or the ionophore A23187 (20 microM). The cooperative effect was not specific for TRH because BAY K 8644 also acted synergistically with angiotensin II or 40 mM K+. In GH4C1 cells, in which TRH and BAY K 8644 were also synergistic in releasing prolactin, measurements with the fluorescent indicator indo-1 showed that TRH and BAY K 8644 could each elevate cytosolic Ca2+ above the level stimulated by the other. Unexpectedly, TRH was found to inhibit BAY K 8644-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake in both GH4C1 and primary cultured cells. These results indicate that BAY K 8644 and TRH synergistically stimulate prolactin secretion by a mechanism other than a cooperative effect on the activity of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Mechanisms involved in the effects of TRH on GHRH-stimulated growth hormone release from ovine and bovine pituitary cells

Incubation of cultured ovine pituitary cells with growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (10(-12)-10(-7) M) stimulated growth hormone secretion up to 3-fold. At a maximal stimulatory concentration of GHRH (10(-10) M), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10(-7) M) caused an inhibition of growth hormone release to approx. 50% of the response obtained with GHRH alone (during a 15 min incubation period). TRH also caused a small inhibition of the GHRH-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP level but this effect was only significant at a relatively high concentration of GHRH (10(-9) M). Incubation of cultured bovine pituitary cells with GHRH (10(-11)-10(-8) M) plus TRH (10(-7) M) caused a significant stimulation of growth hormone release by up to 40%, compared with the response obtained with GHRH alone (at all concentrations of GHRH). TRH (10(-7) M) had no effect on GHRH (10(-8) M)-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP levels in a partially purified bovine pituitary cell preparation. The effects of varying extracellular [Ca2+] (0.1-10 mM) on intracellular [Ca2+] and on the responsiveness to releasing hormones were also determined using ovine pituitary cells. GHRH (10(-10) M)-stimulated growth hormone release was inhibited when cells were incubated at both high (10 mM) and low (0.1 mM) [Ca2+] (compared with 1 mM or 3 mM Ca2+) with or without TRH (10(-7) M). At 1 mM Ca2+, TRH produced a synergistic effect with GHRH to stimulate growth hormone release. However, at 3 mM Ca2+ TRH inhibited GHRH-stimulated growth hormone release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reconstitution of cell-type-specific transcription of the rat prolactin gene in vitro

We present evidence for the existence of prolactin upstream factor 1 (PUF-1) in rat pituitary-derived cells and demonstrate its interaction with a symmetrical DNA element located in the 5' flanking region of the gene. An in vitro expression system developed from pituitary-derived GH3 cells was used to determine that 420 base pairs (bp) of 5' flanking DNA was sufficient for cell-specific, accurate, and efficient RNA polymerase II transcription of the rat prolactin gene. Reconstitution of in vitro transcription with pituitary and nonpituitary nuclear extracts suggested that the presence of GH3 cell-specific factors mediated the activation of prolactin gene expression. We also demonstrated that a functionally stable transcription complex assembled on the prolactin promoter. Using DNase I protection procedures, we have identified the DNA-protein binding area in the prolactin 5' flanking region. GH3 nuclear extracts contain a cell-specific protein (PUF-I) that binds to a 28-bp region (-63 to -36)which contains an 18-bp imperfect palindrome (-63 to -46). The role that the interaction between PUF-I and the imperfect palindrome plays in in vitro pituitary-specific prolactin gene expression is discussed.

Reconstitution of cell-type-specific transcription of the rat prolactin gene in vitro

We present evidence for the existence of prolactin upstream factor 1 (PUF-1) in rat pituitary-derived cells and demonstrate its interaction with a symmetrical DNA element located in the 5' flanking region of the gene. An in vitro expression system developed from pituitary-derived GH3 cells was used to determine that 420 base pairs (bp) of 5' flanking DNA was sufficient for cell-specific, accurate, and efficient RNA polymerase II transcription of the rat prolactin gene. Reconstitution of in vitro transcription with pituitary and nonpituitary nuclear extracts suggested that the presence of GH3 cell-specific factors mediated the activation of prolactin gene expression. We also demonstrated that a functionally stable transcription complex assembled on the prolactin promoter. Using DNase I protection procedures, we have identified the DNA-protein binding area in the prolactin 5' flanking region. GH3 nuclear extracts contain a cell-specific protein (PUF-I) that binds to a 28-bp region (-63 to -36)which contains an 18-bp imperfect palindrome (-63 to -46). The role that the interaction between PUF-I and the imperfect palindrome plays in in vitro pituitary-specific prolactin gene expression is discussed.

Impaired calcium mobilisation in the 7315a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumour

The 7315a tumour secretes prolactin, but is refractory to enhancement of prolactin release by thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH). In order to investigate further this refractoriness of the 7315a tumour cell, we compared cells from the tumour and from the normal pituitary with regard to TRH-enhanced fractional 45Ca2+ efflux and inositol phosphate production. TRH caused a large efflux of calcium from normal pituitary cells, but only mildly enhanced calcium efflux from the tumour cells. In contrast, TRH enhanced total inositol phosphate generation in both groups of cells to a similar degree. We therefore conclude that prolactin release from 7315a tumour cells is refractory to TRH due, at least in part, to impaired mobilisation of intracellular calcium by inositol phosphates.

Phospholipid-dependent Ca2+-activated protein kinase (C-kinase) in the pituitary: further characterization and endogenous redistribution

Phospholipid-dependent, Ca2+-activated protein kinase (C-kinase) was recently shown to be expressed in rat pituitary. The enzyme is activated by Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine (PS). Diacylglycerol (DG), which is liberated during phosphoinositide turnover, and the potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) activate pituitary C-kinase in the presence of PS, even at resting levels of intracellular Ca2+ (10(-7) M), and increase the apparent affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+. While micromolar concentration of Ca2+ had no effect on the apparent affinity of the enzyme for PS (Km approximately 15 micrograms/ml), elevation of Ca2+ to the millimolar range produced a sharp increase in the apparent affinity for PS (Km approximately 5 micrograms/ml). Elevation of PS (up to 500 micrograms/ml) could not replace Ca2+ in supporting maximal enzyme activity even in the presence of DG. Cytosolic pituitary C-kinase (70% of total enzyme activity) is recovered in an inactive state and can be activated without further purification. The particulate enzyme (30%) is recovered in a cofactors-insensitive form but can be activated after detergent-solubilization and anion exchange chromatography. Endogenous redistribution of soluble pituitary C-kinase to the membrane does not convert it to its proteolytic product which is insensitive to Ca2+, PS and DG. Pituitary C-kinase characterized here most likely plays a key role in signal transduction mechanisms involved in pituitary functions.

Effects of repeated stimuli on prolactin release in vitro from normal and adenomatous rat lactotrophs

It is now well known that dopamine (DA) plays a major role in the inhibitory control of prolactin (PRL); however, the mechanisms that are physiologically involved in the stimulation of PRL release are still under investigation. Indeed, although suppression of DA inhibitory tonus, administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are all known PRL releasers, it is not clear whether they interact during physiological periods of PRL release such as suckling and estrus. No clear indications exist, furthermore, on whether they all act upon a same pituitary pool that may become depleted following repeated exposure to stimuli. Refractoriness to a single or a repeated stimulus has been reported to occur in prolactinoma-bearing or normal humans, respectively, the mechanism of which is still matter for discussion. Our present studies performed by perifusing normal or adenomatous rat lactotrophs attached to Cytodex I microcarrier beads was undertaken to try and answer some of these questions. The experimental period consisted in perifusing the cells for 1 h with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing DA 10(-5) M, then for 2 h with either DMEM, DMEM and TRH 10(-8) M, DMEM and VIP 10(-7) M, then again with DA in DMEM for 1 h, and finally with DMEM, DMEM and TRH, or DMEM and VIP. Three experiments of various combinations were performed. Lower PRL levels were observed under DA, while two periods (first and second) of PRL release followed the suppression of DA infusion with or without the addition of either one of the two peptides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation of thyrotropin secretion is suppressed by calcium ion antagonists that block transmembrane influx and intracellular mobilization of calcium ion in human subjects

To evaluate whether extracellular and intracellular calcium ion may be involved in the regulation of TSH secretion in response to TRH in human subjects, the TSH blood level was determined in normal man before and after administration of two kinds of calcium ion antagonists, nifedipine that blocks transmembrane influx of calcium ion and nicorandil that inhibits mobilization of intracellular calcium ion. Administration of nifedipine and nicorandil significantly decreased the blood level of TSH stimulated by TRH, although calcium ion antagonists did not affect the basal level of TSH. The blood level of neither T4, T3, free T4, free T3, nor reverse T3 was altered by administration of calcium ion antagonists. The present study indicates that cytoplasmic calcium ion derived from the extracellular and intracellular sources plays a pivotal role in the controlling of TRH-stimulated TSH secretion in human subjects.

TRH and GRF stimulate release of growth hormone through different mechanisms

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is an effective stimulator of growth hormone (GH) release from cultured adenohypophysial cells of chronically hypothyroid rats in vitro. The present study explored the question of cAMP and calcium mediation of the GH-stimulatory effect of TRH in this system. A maximally stimulatory concentration of TRH was added together with various concentrations of human GH-releasing factor 40 (hGRF-40) whose action is cAMP mediated, or of dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), to primary monolayer cultures of adenohypophysial cells from thyroidectomized rats. The GH responses to the combined addition of TRH with all doses of GRF or DBcAMP were fully additive, causing parallel elevations of the dose-response curves. Whereas the GH response to maximally effective concentrations of hGRF-40 and DBcAMP, added together, was not greater than that to either secretagogue alone, the inclusion of TRH increased the response to a new Emax. The calcium inhibitors, verapamil, EGTA, and CoCl2, markedly suppressed basal GH release and virtually completely blocked the GH response to TRH, suggesting calcium mediation. In chronically hypothyroid, urethan-anesthetized rats, the in vivo effect of the combined administration of maximally effective doses of TRH and GRF on plasma GH levels was also additive. These findings indicate that TRH stimulates GH release in adenohypophysial cells of hypothyroid rats by a cAMP-independent, calcium-dependent mechanism.

Dopamine and somatostatin inhibit forskolin-stimulated prolactin and growth hormone secretion but not stimulated cyclic AMP levels in sheep anterior pituitary cell cultures

Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, has been used to investigate the effects of raising pituitary cell cyclic AMP concentrations on prolactin and growth hormone secretion and to examine the role of cyclic AMP in the inhibitory actions of dopamine and somatostatin. Incubation of cultured ovine pituitary cells with forskolin (0.1-10 microM; 30 min) produced a modest dose-related increase in prolactin release (120-140% of basal) but a much greater stimulation of growth hormone secretion (170-420% of basal). Cellular cyclic AMP concentrations were only increased in the presence of 1 and 10 microM forskolin (2-5.5 times basal). A study of the time course for forskolin (10 microM) action showed that stimulation of prolactin (1.5-fold) and growth hormone (4.7-fold) secretion occurred over 15 min; subsequently (15-60 min) the rate of prolactin secretion from forskolin-treated cells was equivalent to that measured in controls, while growth hormone release remained elevated. Cellular cyclic AMP concentrations were also rapidly stimulated by forskolin (10 microM); they reached a maximum (12 times control) within 15 min, and then declined (15-60 min) but remained elevated relative to those in untreated cells (4.9 times control at 60 min). Dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibited basal secretion of both prolactin and growth hormone. In the presence of forskolin (0.1-10 microM), dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibited prolactin secretion to below the basal level and considerably attenuated the stimulation of growth hormone secretion. Similarly, somatostatin suppressed both basal and forskolin-induced prolactin and growth hormone secretion. However, neither dopamine nor somatostatin significantly decreased the stimulatory effect of forskolin on cellular cyclic AMP accumulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of pituitary calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase: redistribution by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

We report the presence in the rat pituitary of a calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C kinase), originally described by Takai et al. [Takai, Y., Kishimoto, A., Iwasa, Y., Kawahara, Y., Mori, T. & Nishizuka, Y. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 3692-3695]. Enzyme activity is absolutely dependent on the simultaneous presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid--in particular, phosphatidylserine. The presence of small amounts of unsaturated diacylglycerol greatly increases the apparent affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine. Pituitary C kinase is mostly soluble (70%) and partly particulate (30%). Although the soluble form of the enzyme can be detected in a crude cytosol preparation, the particulate form is detectable only after solubilization and anion-exchange chromatography. Administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonist analog, [D-Ser(But)6]des-Gly10-Gn-RH-N-ethylamide, to ovariectomized rats resulted in elevated serum luteinizing hormone levels (245%) accompanied by a decrease in the cytosolic form of the enzyme (60%) and an increase in the particulate form (300%) after 5 min. This apparent activation of the particulate form seems to result from translocation of a soluble C kinase to the membrane. Several endogenous substrate proteins for C kinase ranging from 16 to 100 kDa were identified in pituitary cytosol. Pituitary C kinase might be involved in signal-transduction mechanisms in Gn-RH action, in particular, and in other hypophysiotropic hormones, in general, which operate by means of stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover during which diacylglycerol is liberated.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and the pituitary. New insights into the mechanism of stimulated secretion and clinical usage

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, a hypothalamic tripeptide, has become a useful pharmacologic tool in clinical medicine. Evidence supporting a role for thyrotropin-releasing hormone as a physiologic regulator of thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin) but not prolactin secretion is reviewed. Data from animal studies employing thyrotropin- and prolactin-secreting cells that demonstrate that thyrotropin-releasing hormone elevates the concentration of calcium ion free in the cell cytoplasm are presented. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that calcium ion couples stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone to secretion of thyrotropin and prolactin. A molecular mechanism for thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced elevation of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration and hormone secretion is proposed. The clinical utility of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in endocrine disorders is discussed. It is recommended that the thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test be used to aid in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism when other tests show equivocal results, to determine the adequacy of thyroid hormone suppression therapy, to distinguish the two forms of thyrotropin-induced hyperthyroidism, and to assess pituitary reserve of thyrotropin and prolactin.

Direct stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in GH3 cell membranes by a guanine nucleotide-modulated mechanism

Polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis was examined in membranes from thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-responsive GH3 pituitary cells. [3H]Inositol phosphates (IP2 and IP3) were generated upon incubation of membranes from [3H]inositol-labeled cells indicating the presence of a membrane-associated polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase (PPI PDE). Membrane PPI PDE activity was found to be stimulated by TRH and by GTP-gamma-S in Ca2+-modulated manner. In addition, TRH-stimulated PPI hydrolysis was potentiated by GTP. These results demonstrate direct in vitro effects of a hormone on PPI turnover and suggest the involvement of a GTP-binding component in transmembrane signalling by TRH.

Calcium, cAMP, and dopamine affect single mammotrophs assayed by hemolytic plaques

We investigated the effects of dopamine, forskolin, and maitotoxin on prolactin release from individual rat and monkey mammotrophs. Forskolin increases cAMP levels, whereas maitotoxin amplifies the influx of extracellular calcium. Prolactin secretion from single mammotrophs was visualized by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay and then quantified by measuring the proportion of plaque-forming cells and the mean plaque area. In the presence of dopamine alone both the plaque proportion and mean area of the plaques formed by rat mammotrophs decreased by 50 and 40%, respectively. This inhibition of secretion was blocked by the dopaminergic antagonist spiperone as well as forskolin and maitotoxin. Forskolin and maitotoxin alone significantly elevated both the proportion (+30%) and area (+180% for forskolin and +250% for maitotoxin) of the plaques. These actions of maitotoxin were neutralized by D-600, a calcium channel blocker. All of these agents induced similar trends with monkey prolactin cells. We conclude that single mammotrophs in culture respond to perturbations in a differential manner and in a way predicted by earlier results based on macropopulation measurements.

Synergistic stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) release by protein kinase C activators and Ca2+-ionophore

When cultured pituitary cells were stimulated with synthetic diacylglycerol such as 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), or with a potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), which are known stimulators of Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C), enhanced release of luteinizing hormone (LH) was observed. Similarly, LH release was also stimulated by the Ca2+-ionophore, A23187. Simultaneous presence of A23187 and OAG or TPA resulted in a synergistic response that mimicked the full physiological response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ only slightly affected the stimulatory action of TPA and OAG on LH release, but completely blocked the effect of GnRH. The results suggest that the stimulatory effect of GnRH on LH release may be mediated by two intracellular pathways involving Ca2+ and diacylglycerol as second messengers.

Prolactin secretion in permeable GH3 pituitary cells is stimulated by Ca2+ and protein kinase C activators

We have used GH3 cells permeabilized by electric field discharge to examine the effects of Ca2+ and protein kinase C activators (phorbol ester and diacylglycerol) on prolactin (PRL) release. Ca2+ was found to stimulate PRL release approximately 4 fold at 3 microM Ca2+ with a half-maximal response at approximately .5 microM estimated free Ca2+. 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol stimulated PRL release throughout a range of Ca2+ concentrations (1 nM -3 microM), but stimulation was greater at higher Ca2+ concentrations (.1 microM to 1 microM). Both agents decreased by 1.8 fold the apparent [Ca2+] at which half-maximal stimulation of secretion occurred. Quin 2 was used to measure the free [Ca2+] of intact and permeable cells; PRL secretion at a free [Ca2+] corresponding to resting cytoplasmic [Ca2+] was 10% of maximal, while secretion at the [Ca2+] corresponding to the Ca2+ spike induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone was approximately 25% of maximal.

Subcellular distribution of protein kinase C of GH3 cells: quantitation and characterization by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Quantitative estimation of cytosolic Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) activity was performed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nondenaturating conditions (PAGE). With this method less than 50 micrograms of cytosol protein can be accurately quantitated for PKC activity. The amount of cytosolic PKC activity recovered after PAGE was comparable to the amount obtained by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Homogenization of GH3 cells in the presence of 2 mM EGTA/EDTA revealed that 80% of the total cellular PKC activity resided in the cytosol. However, omission of the ion chelator during cell disruption followed by subcellular fractionation and extraction of subcellular fractions by EDTA/EGTA showed that 80% of the total PKC was found in the lysosomal-mitochondrial and microsomal extracts. Detailed analysis of PKC activities demonstrated that cytosolic PKC was identical with the PKC solubilized by EDTA/EGTA from subcellular fractions. In conclusion, GH3 cells appear to contain one species of PKC with an apparent molecular weight of 90,000 which seems to be associated with membranes via a calcium-dependent mechanism (or mechanisms).

Reserpine is a calcium channel antagonist in normal and GH3 rat pituitary cells

Reserpine exerts direct effects on several tissues, including inhibition of hormone release from rat anterior pituitary cells. To test the hypothesis that reserpine may be acting as a calcium channel antagonist, normal or GH3 rat anterior pituitary cells were preincubated in reserpine or the conventional calcium channel blocker, D-600, followed by exposure to 45Ca2+ together with stimulants of calcium uptake: maitotoxin, a potent calcium channel activator; A23187, a calcium ionophore; or 50 mMK+. After incubation, the cells were harvested by vacuum filtration and cell-associated radioactivity determined. In normal cells, reserpine blocked both basal and K+-stimulated calcium uptake. Reserpine selectively blocked maitotoxin but not A23187-induced calcium uptake. In GH3 cells 9 microM reserpine and 30 microM D-600 were equally effective in blocking maitotoxin-stimulated calcium uptake. Reserpine appears to block voltage-dependent calcium channels in pituitary cells in a concentration-dependent manner but not calcium uptake caused nonspecifically by A23187.

VIP enhances TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of pituitary tumours. Studies with 31P NMR

Intravenous thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) caused a 6.5-fold increase in plasma prolactin (PRL) in rats carrying implanted pituitary tumours. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) had no effect, but TRH given after VIP raised TRH stimulated secretion 13-fold above basal. 31P NMR spectroscopy showed that VIP caused a decrease in high energy metabolites (depleted phosphocreatine, elevated inorganic phosphate and lowered intracellular pH). TRH alone caused a similar but smaller effect; given after VIP, it caused no detectable depletion. We suggest that the changes in high energy metabolite concentrations reflect increased cellular energy consumption consistent with a priming process (stage 1) in PRL secretion, followed by hormone release (stage 2). VIP induces stage 1 whereas RTH induced both stages.

Pertussis toxin blocks the inhibitory effect of muscarinic cholinergic agonists on cyclic AMP accumulation and prolactin secretion in GH3 anterior-pituitary tumour cells

The inhibition of prolactin secretion and cyclic AMP accumulation in GH3 cells by muscarinic agonists was blocked by preincubation of the cells with pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein). There was a lag of approx. 80 min in the onset of the effect on secretion. These results suggest that muscarinic agonists decrease prolactin secretion by inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulates GTP hydrolysis by membranes from GH4C1 rat pituitary tumor cells

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates prolactin production by GH4C1 rat pituitary tumor cells, which possess high-affinity membrane receptors for the peptide. TRH caused up to a 50% increase in the activity of a low-Km GTPase in membranes from GH4C1 cells. The TRH stimulatory effect was maximal at GTP concentrations of 1 microM or lower. TRH caused an increase in GTPase activity of between 0.2 and 20 pmol of GTP hydrolyzed per mg of protein per min, depending on GTP concentration, while TRH binding was 0.3 pmol/mg of protein. TRH did not stimulate GTPase activity in membranes from GH12C1, or GH-Y cells, two pituitary lines lacking TRH receptors. Stimulation of GTPase depended on occupancy of the TRH receptor; half-maximal increases in GTPase activity required 46 nM TRH and 25 nM [N3-methyl-His]TRH, but the TRH free acid was inactive. The apparent Kds of these peptides for receptors were similar when measured under the same conditions. The fact that TRH binding to receptors is regulated by guanyl nucleotides, together with the demonstration of TRH stimulation of low-Km GTPase activity, suggests that the TRH receptor is associated with a guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein in the lactotroph membrane.

Prolactin release from MtTW15 and 7315a pituitary tumors is refractory to TRH and VIP stimulation

We studied the in vitro responsiveness of prolactin-secreting MtTW15 and 7315a pituitary tumor cells to stimulation by selected secretagogues using a perifusion technique. Prolactin release by these cells was refractory to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In contrast, 50 mM K+, dibutyryl cAMP, theophylline, phospholipase A2 and phorbol myristate acetate all increased prolactin release from both tumor cell types. Phospholipase C increased prolactin release from 7315a but not from MtTW15 cells. TRH increased 32P incorporation into phosphatidylinositol in the 7315a but not in the MtTW15 tumor cells. Therefore, the refractoriness of these tumors to TRH and VIP may be at least partially due to a defect in the receptor or in the process that couples receptor binding and intracellular biochemical processes. In the MtTW15 tumor at least part of the defect may be related to phospholipid hydrolysis.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone increases cytosolic free Ca2+ in clonal pituitary cells (GH3 cells): direct evidence for the mobilization of cellular calcium

Changes in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration following cell surface receptor activation have been proposed to mediate a wide variety of cellular responses. Using the specific Ca2+ chelator quin2 as a fluorescent intracellular probe, we measured the Ca2+ levels in the cytosol of clonal rat pituitary cells, GH3 cells. We demonstrate that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) at nanomolar concentrations leads to a rapid and transient increase in cytosolic Ca2+. This increase was found to occur in Ca2+-free media in the presence of EGTA, thus at extracellular Ca2+ levels that are below the cytosolic concentrations, and was not prevented by verapamil, a Ca2+ channel blocker. Depolarization of GH3 cells with K+, which can mimic the action of TRH on prolactin release, increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels only in the presence of free extracellular Ca2+, and this increase could be blocked by verapamil. These data show that the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ due to TRH action that has been proposed by previous studies actually leads to an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+. The kinetic features of this response emphasize the key role of cytosolic free Ca2+ in stimulus-secretion coupling.

Studies of TRH-induced prolactin secretion and its inhibition by dopamine, using ovine pituitary cells

Prolactin secretion from ovine pituitary cell cultures was stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10(-10)-10(-7) M) with a half-maximal effect at approximately 2.5 X 10(-9) M. A maximally effective concentration of TRH produced a peak secretory response, 5-10-fold stimulation over basal release, within 15 min. Dopamine (10(-10)-10(-7) M) but not somatostatin caused a dose-related inhibition of TRH (10(-8) M) stimulated prolactin release. Both dopamine (10(-7) M) and somatostatin (10(-7) M) inhibited basal secretion from the cells. TRH did not significantly increase pituitary cell cyclic AMP levels under any of the conditions tested. Stimulation of prolactin secretion by TRH was not prevented when Ca2+ was omitted from the incubation medium. Dopamine inhibited secretion induced by TRH under low Ca2+ conditions. Our results are consistent with a hypothesis that TRH may stimulate prolactin secretion via release of intracellular Ca2+ rather than increased cellular Ca2+ uptake, and imply that dopamine inhibition involves a lowering of intracellular Ca2+ levels.

Arachidonic acid mobilizes calcium and stimulates prolactin secretion from GH3 cells

Because arachidonic acid and/or its metabolites may be intracellular effectors of calcium-mediated secretion, we studied whether arachidonic acid added exogenously mobilizes calcium and stimulates prolactin secretion from GH3 cells, cloned rat pituitary cells. Arachidonic acid caused efflux of 45Ca from preloaded cells and stimulated prolactin secretion. The concentration dependencies of these effects were similar; stimulation was attained with 3 microM arachidonic acid. To determine indirectly whether these effects may be caused by arachidonic acid itself, not via conversion to metabolites, two experimental approaches were used. First, inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism, eicosatetraynoic acid and indomethacin, did not inhibit arachidonic acid-induced prolactin secretion. And second, alpha-linolenic acid, which cannot be converted to arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid, but not saturated fatty acids of equal chain length, stimulated 45Ca efflux and prolactin secretion. These data demonstrate that arachidonic acid added exogenously causes Ca2+ mobilization and prolactin secretion from GH3 cells and suggest that arachidonic acid itself, not via metabolism, may be a cellular regulator of prolactin secretion.

Polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C is accelerated by thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in clonal rat pituitary cells (GH3 cells)

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) accelerates the turnover of phosphatidylinositol in GH3 cells ('phospholipid response'). From the analysis of inositol phosphates in the presence of Li+ which inhibits their dephosphorylation, it can be concluded that the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate, and possibly of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate by phospholipase C is markedly accelerated by TRH. It appears that this reaction initiates the acceleration of phosphatidylinositol turnover. The specificity of hormonally regulated phospholipase C reaction for polyphosphoinositides has important implications for the potential role of the phospholipid response as a mechanism of membrane signal transduction.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent release of prolactin from GH3 pituitary tumour cells. A quantitative analysis

The involvement of cyclic AMP in mediating regulatory peptide-controlled prolactin release from GH3 pituitary tumour cells was investigated. Cholera toxin and forskolin elicited concentration-dependent increases in both GH3 cell cyclic AMP content and prolactin release. The maximum rise in prolactin release with these agents was 2-fold over basal. 8-Bromo-cyclic AMP produced a similar stimulation of prolactin release. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine also produced an increase in prolactin release and GH3 cell cyclic AMP content. However, the magnitude of the stimulated prolactin release exceeded that obtained with any other agent. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (thyroliberin) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide produced a concentration-dependent rise in both cell cyclic AMP content and prolactin release. However, only vasoactive intestinal polypeptide elicited an increase in cell cyclic AMP content at concentrations relevant to the stimulation of prolactin release. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and thyrotropin-releasing hormone, when used in combination, were additive with respect to prolactin release. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and forskolin, at concentrations that were maximal upon prolactin release, were, when used in combination, synergistic upon GH3 cell cyclic AMP content but were not additive upon prolactin release. In conclusion the evidence supports a role for cyclic AMP in the mediation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide- but not thyrotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated prolactin release from GH3 cells. A quantitative analysis indicates that a 50-100% rise in cyclic AMP suffices to stimulate cyclic AMP-dependent prolactin release fully.