Binding and degradation of vasoactive intestinal peptide in prolactin-producing cultured rat pituitary tumour cells (GH4C1)

Identification of a potential receptor for both peptide histidine isoleucine and peptide histidine valine

Peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), peptide histidine valine (PHV), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are cosynthesized from the same precursor and share high levels of structural similarities with overlapping biological functions. In this study, the first PHI/PHV receptor was isolated and characterized in goldfish. To study this receptor using homologous peptides, we have also characterized the goldfish prepro-PHI/VIP, and, surprisingly, a shorter transcript lacking the VIP coding region was isolated. A PHI/VIP precursor without the VIP coding sequence has never before been reported. Initial functional expression of the PHI/PHV receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed that it could be activated by human PHV [50% effective concentration (EC(50)): 43 nM] and to a lesser extent human PHI (EC(50): 133 nM) and helodermin (EC(50): 166 nM) but not fish and mammalian pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptides and VIPs. Subsequent studies indicated that, similar to the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptors (PAC1-R, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R), the receptor isolated in this study is able to interact with goldfish PHI and its C-terminally extended form, PHV with EC(50) values 93 and 43 nM, respectively. Northern blot and RT-PCR/Southern blot analyses revealed that the PHI/VIP gene is expressed in the intestine, brain, and gall bladder and the PHI/PHV receptor gene is primarily expressed in the pituitary and to a lesser extend in the intestine and gall bladder, suggesting that PHI/PHV may play a role, notably in the regulation of pituitary function. In conclusion, our results demonstrate for the first time the existence of a PHI/PHV receptor, indicating that the functions of PHI and PHV could be mediated by their own receptor in addition to VIP receptors.

Direct effects of vitamin D3 analogues on G-protein mediated signalling systems in rat osteosarcoma cells and rat pituitary adenoma cells

In normal rats treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 or 24,25(OH)2D3, serum Ca2+, ALP, PRL and GH are significantly altered. In order to study the primary effect of vitamin D3 analogues on target organ function, rat UMR 106 osteosarcoma and GH3 pituitary adenoma cells in monolayer culture were exposed accordingly. Surprisingly, prolonged exposure of these cell lines to physiological levels of either 1,25(OH)2D3 or 24,25(OH)2D3 did not significantly affect the secretory parameters (ALP, PRL or GH) tested. However, 1,25(OH)2D3 exposure significantly reduced PTH- and Gpp(NH)p-elicited AC as well as Gpp(NH)p-stimulated PLC activities in the UMR 106 cells. These changes were accompanied by an increase and decrease in the membrane contents of the G-protein subunits G36 beta and Gq/11 alpha, respectively. In contrast, 24,25(OH)2D3 remained without significant biological effect on these signalling systems despite concomitantly augmented levels of G36 beta. TRH- and Gpp(NH)p-elicited PLC activities in the GH3 cells were significantly reduced by 1,25(OH)2D3 with a concurrent reduction in cellular amounts of Gq/11 alpha, however, 24,25(OH)2D3 did not significantly alter any signalling systems nor G-proteins analyzed. It is concluded that the osteoblastic and pituitary cell secretion of ALP, PRL and GH remain unaffected by the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3, despite distinct alterations in components of G-protein mediated signalling pathways. Hence, other factors like ambient Ca2+ may be responsible for the perturbed secretory patterns of ALP and PRL seen in vitamin D3 treated rats.

Calcitriol attenuates the basal and vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated cAMP production in prolactin-secreting rat pituitary (GH4C1) cells

A clonal strain of prolactin-producing rat pituitary tumour cells (GH4C1 cells) was used to study the effect of calcitriol on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. Calcitriol (10 nM) attenuated both the basal and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cAMP production after 2 days' pretreatment of the cells. The effect was detectable at 1 nM and maximal at about 10 nM. Calcitriol was at least 100 times more potent than calcidiol and 24-hydroxycalcidiol. Calcitriol (10 nM, 4 days) did not affect the specific binding of 125I-VIP, but attenuated the guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS)-stimulated (100 microM) adenylyl cyclase activity by 25%. Calcitriol (10 nM, 4 days) also attenuated both the Mn2+ (1 mM) and the forskolin-stimulated (10 microM) adenylyl cyclase activity by 43 and 41%, respectively. In conclusion, these data suggest that calcitriol attenuates the basal and VIP-stimulated cAMP production by inhibiting the catalytic subunit of the adenylyl cyclase as well as the amount of the G protein Gs alpha.

The lipoxygenase inhibitor nafazatrom inhibits stimulated prolactin secretion in cultured rat lactotrophs (GH4C1 cells)

Arachidonic acid metabolites are involved in the regulation of prolactin (PRL) secretion from rat lactotrophs (GH4C1 cells). Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) stimulated PRL secretion, while the PLA2 inhibitor quinacrine reduced both thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulated PRL release. Hormonally stimulated PRL release was further increased in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Nafazatrom, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, reduced stimulated PRL secretion regardless of the mechanism of stimulation [hormonally (VIP and TRH) or by increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration by KCl or Bay-K and cAMP by forskolin]. None of the inhibitors used in this study had any effect either on the basal PRL secretion or on the production of cAMP. Lipoxygenase products seem to be involved in the regulation of PRL secretion, probably by affecting a late step in the signal transduction.

The thyroliberin receptor interacts directly with a stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein in the activation of adenylyl cyclase in GH3 rat pituitary tumour cells. Evidence obtained by the use of antisense RNA inhibition and immunoblocking of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein

The thyroliberin receptor in GH3 pituitary tumour cells is known to couple to phospholipase C via a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G protein). Thyroliberin is postulated also to activate adenylyl cyclase, via the stimulatory G protein (Gs). In order to study this coupling, we constructed an antisense RNA expression vector that contained part of the Gs alpha-subunit cDNA clone (Gs alpha) in an inverted orientation relative to the mouse metallothionein promoter. The cDNA fragment included part of the coding region and all of the 3' non-translated region. Transient expression of Gs alpha antisense RNA in GH3 cells resulted in the specific decrease of Gs alpha mRNA levels, followed by decreased Gs alpha protein levels. Thyroliberin-elicited adenylyl cyclase activation in membrane preparations showed a reduction of up to 85%, whereas phospholipase C stimulation remained unaffected. Activation of adenylyl cyclase by vasoactive intestinal peptide was reduced by 30-40%. Investigation of the effects of thyroliberin and vasoactive intestinal peptide on adenylyl cyclase in GH3 cell membranes pretreated with antisera against Gs alpha and Gi-1 alpha/Gi-2 alpha support the results obtained by the use of the antisense technique. We conclude that thyroliberin has a bifunctional effect on GH3 cells, in activating adenylyl cyclase via Gs or a Gs-like protein in addition to the coupling to phospholipase C.

Cell specific distribution of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins in rat pituitary tumour cell lines

To investigate the effects of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) on hormonal regulation of prolactin (PRL) synthesis and secretion, the qualitative distribution of G protein alpha-subunits and their mRNAs was studied in three functionally different pituitary tumour cell lines (GH cells) and normal rat pituitary tissue. Levels of basal and modulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC) activities are also included. GH cells and pituitary tissue contained various amounts of mRNAs and protein for Gs alpha, Gi-2 alpha, Gi-3 alpha and Go alpha, while mRNA for Gi-1 alpha was only detected in normal pituitary tissue. Gz alpha/Gx alpha mRNA was expressed in all pituitary cell lines as well as in pituitary tissue. Go alpha mRNA and Gz alpha/G x alpha mRNA displayed size heterogeneity. These findings may have importance in the understanding of hormone regulation of second messenger systems.

PHI preferentially binds to VIP receptors in normal rat tissues

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) are homologous neuropeptides with parallel biological actions. These similarities raise the question whether VIP and PHI have common or distinct mechanisms of action, including receptors. The present study attempted to distinguish specific binding sites for VIP and PHI in normal rat tissues using the homologous radioligands [Tyr(125I)10]VIP and [Tyr(125I)10]rat PHI. In rat brain, anterior pituitary, and liver membranes both radioligands identified a VIP-preferring receptor. Rat PHI had less than 10% the binding potency of VIP in these tissues irrespective of which radioligand was used. In rat uterine membranes [Tyr(125I)10]VIP bound to a receptor with approximately 100 times greater affinity for VIP over PHI. No specific binding of [Tyr(125I)10]rat PHI to rat uterus could be demonstrated. In conclusion, these results support the predominance of VIP-preferring receptors as opposed to PHI-preferring receptors in normal rat brain, anterior pituitary, liver and uterus.

The mechanisms by which vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulate prolactin release from pituitary cells

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on prolactin (PRL) secretion from pituitary cells is reviewed and compared to the effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). These two peptides induced different secretion profiles from parafused lactotrophs in culture. TRH was found to increase PRL secretion within 4 s and induced a biphasic secretion pattern, while VIP induced a monophasic secretion pattern after a lag time of 45-60 s. The secretion profiles are compared to changes in adenylate cyclase activity, production of inositol polyphosphates, changes in intracellular calcium concentrations and changes in electrophysiological properties of the cell membrane.

Degradation of vasoactive intestinal peptide by isolated, ventilated, and perfused rat lungs

The degradation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was studied using an isolated perfused rat lung model. 125iodine labelled VIP (125I-VIP) was used as a tracer. VIP was cleared from the perfusate by a single lung passage up to concentrations of 1 nmol l-1. The clearance rate was decreased at higher concentrations of VIP. VIP was taken up by the lung tissue and the cleavage products were re-extruded into the perfusate. The time delay of re-extrusion was increased at starting concentrations of VIP exceeding 1 nmol l-1 and in the presence of the lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine. After a bolus of 9 pmol or 40 nmol 125I-VIP into the pulmonary artery catheter 6.3 pmol or 2920 pmol, respectively, were bound by the lung. Most of the radioactive material was extruded within 25 min and consisted of low molecular weight 125I-labelled degradation products. We conclude that the receptors for VIP in the alveolar capillaries are of high affinity and capacity to extract VIP from the circulation and that lysosomes may be involved in the degradation. The degradation products are of low molecular weight.

Interaction of thymic peptide thymosin alpha 1 with VIP receptors in rat intestinal epithelial cells: comparison with PHI and secretin

1. Thymic peptide thymosin alpha 1 (10(-10)-10(-7) M) is shown to inhibit the specific binding of 125I-labelled VIP. 2. Thymosin alpha 1 was 1500 times less potent than VIP at inhibiting 125I-labelled VIP binding. 3. Thymosin alpha 1 (10(-10)-10(-7) M) was weak in stimulating cyclic AMP production. 4. Interaction of thymosin alpha 1 with VIP receptors is compared with PHI and secretin. 5. The order of affinity of different peptides is VIP greater than PHI greater than secretin greater than thymosin alpha 1.