CALCIUM MOVEMENT IN THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIS OF THE RAT AND ITS RELATION TO THE RELEASE OF VASOPRESSIN

Fifty Years of Advances in Neuroendocrinology

Importance of the neuroendocrine brain for health and happiness has become clear since the 1960s. Foundations laid 100 years ago culminated in Geoffrey W Harris's model of control by the brain of secretion of anterior and posterior pituitary gland hormones through, respectively, releasing factors secreted into the hypothalamic-hypophysial portal system, and directly from axon terminals into the systemic circulation. Confirmation, expansion and deepening of knowledge and understanding have followed increasingly sophisticated technology. This allowed chemical characterisation of the posterior pituitary hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, the releasing factors, their receptors and genes, location of the neurosecretory neurons in the hypothalamus, and how their activity is controlled, including by neural and hormonal feedback, and how hormone rhythms are generated. Wider roles of these neurons and their peptides in the brain are now recognised: in reproductive and social behaviours, emotions and appetite. Plasticity and epigenetic programming of neuroendocrine systems have emerged as important features.

Angiotensin II induces membrane trafficking of natively expressed transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 channels in hypothalamic 4B cells

Transient receptor potential vanilloid family type 4 (TRPV4) channels are expressed in central neuroendocrine neurons and have been shown to be polymodal in other systems. We previously reported that in the rodent, a model of dilutional hyponatremia associated with hepatic cirrhosis, TRPV4 expression is increased in lipid rafts from the hypothalamus and that this effect may be angiotensin dependent. In this study, we utilized the immortalized neuroendocrine rat hypothalamic 4B cell line to more directly test the effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on TRPV4 expression and function. Our results demonstrate the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) transcripts, for sex-determining region Y (SRY) (male genotype), arginine vasopressin (AVP), TRPV4, and ANG II type 1a and 1b receptor in 4B cells. After a 1-h incubation in ANG II (100 nM), 4B cells showed increased TRPV4 abundance in the plasma membrane fraction, and this effect was prevented by the ANG II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan (1 μM) and by a Src kinase inhibitor PP2 (10 μM). Ratiometric calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that ANG II incubation potentiated TRPV4 agonist (GSK 1016790A, 20 nM)-induced calcium influx (control 18.4 ± 2.8% n = 5 and ANG II 80.5 ± 2.4% n = 5). This ANG II-induced increase in calcium influx was also blocked by 1 μM losartan and 10 μM PP2 (losartan 26.4 ± 3.8% n = 5 and PP2 19.7 ± 3.9% n = 5). Our data suggests that ANG II can increase TRPV4 channel membrane expression in 4B cells through its action on AT1R involving a Src kinase pathway.

Modulation/physiology of calcium channel sub-types in neurosecretory terminals

The hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system (HNS) controls diuresis and parturition through the release of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT). These neuropeptides are chiefly synthesized in hypothalamic magnocellular somata in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and are released into the blood stream from terminals in the neurohypophysis. These HNS neurons develop specific electrical activity (bursts) in response to various physiological stimuli. The release of AVP and OT at the level of neurohypophysis is directly linked not only to their different burst patterns, but is also regulated by the activity of a number of voltage-dependent channels present in the HNS nerve terminals and by feedback modulators. We found that there is a different complement of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (VGCC) in the two types of HNS terminals: L, N, and Q in vasopressinergic terminals vs. L, N, and R in oxytocinergic terminals. These channels, however, do not have sufficiently distinct properties to explain the differences in release efficacy of the specific burst patterns. However, feedback by both opioids and ATP specifically modulate different types of VGCC and hence the amount of AVP and/or OT being released. Opioid receptors have been identified in both AVP and OT terminals. In OT terminals, μ-receptor agonists inhibit all VGCC (particularly R-type), whereas, they induce a limited block of L-, and P/Q-type channels, coupled to an unusual potentiation of the N-type Ca(2+) current in the AVP terminals. In contrast, the N-type Ca(2+) current can be inhibited by adenosine via A(1) receptors leading to the decreased release of both AVP and OT. Furthermore, ATP evokes an inactivating Ca(2+)/Na(+)-current in HNS terminals able to potentiate AVP release through the activation of P2X2, P2X3, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors. In OT terminals, however, only the latter receptor type is probably present. We conclude by proposing a model that can explain how purinergic and/or opioid feedback modulation during bursts can mediate differences in the control of neurohypophysial AVP vs. OT release.

Release of vasopressin and oxytocin from isolated pituitary glands of adult and new-born rats

1. Pituitary glands of adult rats of both sexes, of lactating female and of new-born rats, incubated in a Locke solution, release both oxytocin and vasopressin. The amount of hormones released, during a measured period of incubation, is related to the actual hormone content of the gland.2. Increasing the concentration of KCl in the incubation medium, with CaCl(2) present and in concentration of at least 2.2 mM, produces an enhanced release of both hormones from pituitary glands of adults, but does not affect the release of hormones from glands of new-born animals.3. Addition of ouabain to the incubation medium produces a marked increase of the release of the hormones from glands of both adult and new-born rats. This is accompanied by an extrusion of K ion and an influx of Na ion. The effect of ouabain on the hormone release and the shift of ions can be reversed by subsequent addition of adenosine triphosphate.4. The increased release of hormones produced by ouabain, in glands from new-born rats, is unaffected by the presence or absence of CaCl(2). In adults, however, the effect of ouabain, though present, is reduced in the absence of CaCl(2).5. It is suggested that in glands from adult animals, the hormones must be freed from their attachment on the protein-carrier, neurophysin and that this can be achieved by the entry of calcium ion into the cell. The subsequent secretion of the ;freed' hormones appears to be accompanied by a shift of ions across the cell membrane.6. In glands from neonates up to 3 weeks old, the absence of neurophysin, or its poor capacity for binding the hormones, explains the inability of calcium to operate in the same way as in the glands of adults. There is evidence suggesting that the secretion of the neurohypophysial hormones in the new-born animal consists mainly of their diffusion from the cells, without previous elution of the hormones as in adults.

The adaptive brain: Glenn Hatton and the supraoptic nucleus

In December 2009, Glenn Hatton died, and neuroendocrinology lost a pioneer who had done much to forge our present understanding of the hypothalamus and whose productivity had not faded with the passing years. Glenn, an expert in both functional morphology and electrophysiology, was driven by a will to understand the significance of his observations in the context of the living, behaving organism. He also had the wit to generate bold and challenging hypotheses, the wherewithal to expose them to critical and elegant experimental testing, and a way with words that gave his papers and lectures clarity and eloquence. The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system offered a host of opportunities for understanding how physiological functions are fulfilled by the electrical activity of neurones, how neuronal behaviour changes with changing physiological states, and how morphological changes contribute to the physiological response. In the vision that Glenn developed over 35 years, the neuroendocrine brain is as dynamic in structure as it is adaptable in function. Its adaptability is reflected not only by mere synaptic plasticity, but also by changes in neuronal morphology and in the morphology of the glial cells. Astrocytes, in Glenn's view, were intimate partners of the neurones, partners with an essential role in adaptation to changing physiological demands.

Calcium loading of secretory granules in stimulated neurohypophysial nerve endings

The total calcium content of secretory granules, Cag, was evaluated in isolated neurohypophysial nerve endings. The Cag in the resting state, as measured by X-ray microanalysis, is relatively high with an average of 7.4 +/- 0.6 mmol/kg wet weight. Following a depolarizing potassium challenge, a subpopulation of granules with even higher Cag could be detected, dispersed over a wider range of concentrations (up to 70 mmol/kg wet weight). After subsequent rinsing in physiological saline, Cag decreased to control values. This could have resulted from Ca2+ extrusion, or from preferential secretion of calcium-enriched granules. Our data can be interpreted in favor of the second explanation since no decrease in Cag was observed when secretion was blocked by a hyperosmotic saline. The effect of hyperosmotic conditions on isolated nerve endings was further studied by monitoring free cytoplasmic Ca2+ with the calcium-sensitive dye Fura-2 and by conventional electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that hyperosmotic treatment alone did not increase basal cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations but did significantly reduce the potassium-induced cytosolic rise in Ca2+. Electron microscopy of nerve endings in hyperosmotic conditions showed numerous exocytotic figures at various stages. The observed changes in Cag are in accord with a published hypothesis which proposes that intragranular calcium is a significant variable in regulated secretion.

Secretion from rat neurohypophysial nerve terminals (neurosecretosomes) rapidly inactivates despite continued elevation of intracellular Ca2+

Cytoplasmic calcium concentration was measured in neurosecretory nerve terminals (neurosecretosomes) isolated from rat neurohypophyses by fura-2 fluorescence measurements and digital video microscopy. Hormone release and cytoplasmic calcium concentration were measured during depolarizations induced by elevated extracellular potassium concentration. During prolonged depolarizations with 55 mM [K+]o, the cytoplasmic calcium concentration remained elevated as long as depolarization persisted, while secretion inactivated after the initial sharp rise. The amplitude and duration of the increase in [Ca2+]i was dependent on the degree of depolarization such that upon low levels of depolarizations (12.5 mM or 25 mM [K+]o), the calcium responses were smaller and relatively transient, and with higher levels of depolarization (55 mM [K+]o) the responses were sustained and were higher in amplitude. Responses to low levels of depolarization were less sensitive to the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, while the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by 55 mM [K+]o became transient, and was significantly smaller. These observations suggest that these peptidergic nerve terminals possess at least two different types of voltage-gated calcium channels. Removal of extracellular sodium resulted in a significant increase in [Ca2+]i and secretion in the absence of depolarizing stimulus, suggesting that sodium-calcium exchange mechanism is operative in these nerve terminals. Although the [Ca2+]i increase was of similar magnitude to the depolarization-induced changes, the resultant secretion was 10-fold lower, but the rate of inactivation of secretion, however, was comparable.

Activation and inactivation of oxytocin and vasopressin release from isolated nerve endings (neurosecretosomes) of the rat neurohypophysis

Neurosecretory terminals (neurosecretosomes, NSS) were isolated from rat neurohypophyses. High [K+]o or veratridine stimulated secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin by up to approximately 100-fold. Stimulated secretion was dependent on calcium and temperature, and could be elicited from NSS maintained in culture for 4 days. After overnight culture of the NSS, secretion was still inhibited by calcium channel blockers (cobalt, dihydropyridines, omega-conotoxin, D 600) and kappa opiates (dynorphin and U50488). Ionomycin evoked dose- and calcium-dependent hormone release, with a Hill coefficient for calcium of 1.74. High [K+]o enhanced the 5 microM ionomycin-induced secretion, apparently through calcium entry rather than depolarization, as the increase in secretion was abolished by 100 microM D 600. During prolonged depolarization the hormone secretion peaked within 2 min, then declined to near basal levels. Depolarization for 25 min without calcium neither activated secretion nor prevented subsequent secretion on readdition of calcium, suggesting that the decline in secretion was not due to membrane depolarization. Indeed, the rates of decline in secretion were similar for different levels of depolarization (0.070 +/- 0.003 and 0.081 +/- 0.003 min-1 for 25 and 45 mM [K+]o, respectively). Four minutes after the onset of continuous depolarization (45 mM [K+]o) in the presence of calcium, the declining secretion was still dependent on voltage-activated calcium influx through channels sensitive to D 600 and nitrendipine. The results presented here suggest that the decline in secretion during prolonged depolarizing stimuli may be due to exhaustion, inactivation, or desensitization of a calcium-triggered event.

Effects of Different Opioid Receptor Antagonists on the Electrically-Evoked Release of Endogenous Dopamine from the Isolated Neural Lobe of the Rat Pituitary Gland in vitro

Abstract Isolated neural lobes of the rat pituitary gland were incubated in Krebs-HEPES solution which contained the dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12921 and in some experiments additionally pargyline. The release of endogenous dopamine evoked by electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. (+/-)- Naloxone increased the evoked dopamine release maximally by 440% (EC(50) 209 nM). The (+)-enantiomer of naloxone (up to 10 muM) did not affect the release of dopamine. The preferential kappa-opioid receptor antagonist MR 2266 increased the evoked dopamine release maximally by 135% (EC(50) 7 nM). MR 2267, the inactive (+)-enantiomer of MR 2266, had no effect on dopamine release. The delta-opioid receptor selective antagonist ICI 174864 increased the release of dopamine maximally by 120% (EC(50) 10 nM). The non-selective opioid receptor agonist etorphine up to 10 muM had no effect on the evoked dopamine release. In conclusion, endogenous opioids in the neurohypophysis strongly inhibit the release of endogenous dopamine from this gland. Activation of kappa- and delta-opioid receptors appears to be involved in the inhibitory action of the endogenous opioids on the neurohypophysial release of dopamine.

Activation of neurohypophysial vasopressin release by Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ accumulation in the rat

1. Isolated rat neurohypophyses were stimulated electrically in an in vitro perifusion system. A Ca2(+)-sensitive microelectrode was placed in the centre of each neurohypophysis and [Ca2+]o decrease evoked by the stimulation were determined. 2. In neurohypophyses injected with Fura-2 AM (acetoxymethyl ester), increases and decreases in fluorescence excited at 340 and 380 nm, respectively, were evoked by stimulation. The time course of the fluorescence changes was similar to that of [Ca2+]o decreases, suggesting that the [Ca2+]o changes mirrored [Ca2+]i increases. 3. Calcium influx into neurosecretory axons and terminals was estimated as the difference in [Ca2+]o decrease rates immediately before and after train pulse stimulation. 4. Vasopressin release from the neurohypophysis, measured by specific radioimmunoassay, was facilitated by stimulation in parallel with a parameter of [Ca2+]o decrease multiplied by Ca2+ influx. 5. The O2 consumption rate, estimated as rate of PO2 decrease in the tissue, was facilitated by stimulation in parallel with [Ca2+]o decreases. 6. Possible calcium-dependent mechanisms of vasopressin release, and the energy-dependent step of the release by Ca2+, are discussed.

Frequency-dependent effects of activation and inhibition of protein kinase C on neurohypophysial release of oxytocin and vasopressin

Isolated rat neurohypophyses were superfused in vitro and the release of vasopressin and oxytocin into the medium was determined by specific radioimmunoassays. Hormone secretion was increased by electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk at different frequencies. The effects of several phorbol esters, known to activate phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, PDB) or not to affect (4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-dideconate and phorbol 12-monoacetate) protein kinase C, and of the direct protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) were tested. Electrical stimulation with 450 pulses caused the release of about 45 microU vasopressin and 55 microU oxytocin, when a frequency of 3 Hz was applied, and of about 500 microU vasopressin and oxytocin, when a frequency of 15 Hz was used. PDB (1 mumol/l) increased the release of vasopressin evoked by 15 Hz stimulation maximally by about 40-50% and that evoked by 3 Hz stimulation by about 150%. The release of oxytocin evoked by 15 Hz stimulation was increased by about 150% and that evoked by 3 Hz stimulation by about 400-500% in the presence of PDB. Both inactive phorbol esters had no effects on the evoked release of vasopressin or oxytocin. The effect of PDB on the release of vasopressin and oxytocin was blocked by H7 (10-30 mumol/l). H7 (30 mumol/l) alone reduced the release of vasopressin evoked by stimulation at 15 Hz by 50%. The release of oxytocin was not significantly affected by H7. In the presence of naloxone (1 mumol/l) the release of oxytocin evoked by 3 and 15 Hz stimulation was increased by about 175 and 105%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium-dependent and ouabain-resistant oxygen consumption in the rat neurohypophysis

To analyze rapid changes in energy metabolism in the neurohypophysis, pO2 was measured in the tissue in vitro with a miniature O2 electrode (tip diameter less than 100 microns, 90% response time less than 3 s). Electrical stimulation (20 Hz, 5 s) evoked immediate pO2 decreases by 93.4 +/- 10.5 mm Hg (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 12) which lasted for about 1 min and were blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 microM) or sodium cyanide (1 mM). Replacement of Ca2+ in the perifusing medium with Mn2+ reduced the pO2 decreases to 23.1 +/- 4.9% (n = 5) of the value before the replacement. In normal medium, ouabain application (1 mM, 3 min) suppressed the electrically evoked pO2 decreases only slightly to 82.6 +/- 6.5% (n = 5). In the Mn2+ medium, the same ouabain application suppressed the pO2 changes to 28.8 +/- 1.4%. High K+ (70 mM) evoked pO2 decreases by 175.8 +/- 14.9 mm Hg (n = 5) within 1-2 min. These pO2 changes were reduced to 35.6 +/- 3.8% in an Mn2+ medium. Veratridine (100 microM) evoked pO2 decreases by 204.8 +/- 36.3 mm Hg (n = 5). During the pO2 decreases, the effects of electrical or high K+ stimulation on pO2 were blocked. These results indicate that O2 consumption was evoked by electrical stimulation, and probably that high K+ or veratridine application in the neurohypophysis is mainly dependent on extracellular calcium and resistant to ouabain. The relationship between O2 consumption and exocytotic release is discussed.

Differential effects of potassium channel blockers on neurohypophysial release of oxytocin and vasopressin. Evidence for frequency-dependent interaction with the endogenous opioid inhibition of oxytocin release

Isolated rat neurohypophyses were fixed by their stalks to a platinum wire electrode and superfused with Krebs-HEPES solution. Vasopressin and oxytocin released into the medium were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. Hormone secretion was increased by electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk at different frequencies. The effects of several potassium channel blockers, tetraethyl-ammonium (TEA) ions, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) were tested. The release of vasopressin and oxytocin evoked by electrical stimulation with 900 pulses at 15 Hz (about 900 and 1,000 microU, respectively) was about 10 times higher than that evoked by 900 pulses at 3 Hz. Both 10 and 30 mmol/l TEA enhanced the release of vasopressin evoked by stimulation at 3 and 15 Hz, by 25- and 2-fold, respectively, to attain a maximum release of about 1,800 microU per stimulation. The stimulated release of oxytocin attained a maximum of about 9,000 microU at 15 Hz in the presence of 10 mmol/l TEA or at 3 Hz with 30 mmol/l TEA. Thus, in the presence of maximally effective concentrations of TEA both stimulation frequencies (3 and 15 Hz) were equieffective in evoking release of vasopressin and oxytocin. 4-AP or 3,4-DAP enhanced the release of vasopressin evoked by 15 Hz stimulation maximally to about 1,600 microU. In the presence of 4-AP or 3,4-DAP the release of oxytocin evoked by stimulation at 15 Hz increased maximally to about 8,000 microU and that evoked by stimulation at 3 Hz to about 1,500 microU.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Involvement of DHP voltage-sensitive calcium channels and protein kinase C in thyroliberin (TRH) release by developing hypothalamic neurons in culture

The intracellular mechanisms regulating the process of thyroliberin (TRH) release were studied using fetal hypothalamic neurons grown in serum-free medium. In particular, we compared the effects of dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives, omega-conotoxin and phorbol esters on basal and K+-evoked TRH release from 12 days in vitro (DIV) neurons. BAY K 8644, a DHP calcium channel agonist increased in a dose-related manner basal and K+-evoked TRH release. PN 200-110, an antagonist of DHP-sensitive calcium channels, completely suppressed the effect of BAY K 8644, whatever the extracellular K+ concentration, but did not modify basal or K+-evoked TRH release. In contrast, omega-conotoxin partially inhibited the two latter processes. The active phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-beta-acetate (TPA), and to a lesser extent Sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DAG), triggered TRH release. This effect was specific, time and dose dependent and only partly dependent on extracellular calcium. Simultaneous addition of BAY K 8644 and TPA to the cells displayed a synergistic effect. The same compounds were studied on younger neurons (6-DIV cultures): BAY K 8644 stimulated TRH release whereas neither 60 mM K+ nor TPA did. These results suggest that TRH release can be mediated at least by two intracellular routes: (i) increase of intracellular calcium mediated by the opening of different types of voltage sensitive calcium channels, and (ii) activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The asynchrony in the maturation of the intracellular mechanisms underlying TRH release may be explained by different subcellular localizations of these mechanisms in neurons and is discussed in relation to synapse differentiation.

Effects of tetraethylammonium ions on frequency-dependent vasopressin release from the rat neurohypophysis

1. Isolated rat neurohypophyses were fixed by their stalks to a platinum wire electrode and superfused with oxygenated Krebs-HEPES solution. Vasopressin release into the medium was determined by radioimmunoassay. Vasopressin secretion was increased by electrical stimulation at different frequencies (3-30 Hz) and different train lengths (75-900 pulses). The effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions and of enhanced calcium were tested. 2. Electrical stimulation at 7.5 or 15 Hz evoked a markedly larger release of vasopressin than stimulation at 3 Hz. During continuous stimulation at 7.5 and 15 Hz the evoked vasopressin release per pulse declined rapidly, but with similar time constants for both frequencies indicating that the fatigue of the release process was strongly time dependent. The kinetic analysis showed also that the initial release per pulse was identical for 7.5 and 15 Hz stimulation. Nevertheless, with increasing duration, stimulation at 7.5 Hz became less efficient (in terms of release per total stimulus) than stimulation at 15 Hz and this was due to the time-dependent fatigue. 3. TEA (10 mM) increased the release of vasopressin evoked by 3 Hz stimulation much more than that evoked by 15 Hz stimulation resulting in an equieffective activation of release by both stimuli. On the other hand, elevation of the extracellular calcium from 1.2 to 3 mM did not alter the different efficiency of stimuli of 3 and 15 Hz. In the presence of TEA the time-dependent fatigue of the release during continuous stimulation was prevented, but an additional, slower component of the fatigue became apparent which was release or impulse dependent. 4. As prolongation of the action potential by TEA facilitates preferentially the hormone release evoked by low (ineffective) frequencies, it is suggested that a frequency-dependent broadening of action potentials which reportedly occurs on neurosecretory neurones may play an important role in the frequency-dependent facilitation of hormone release from the rat neurohypophysis.

Effects of gadolinium and cadmium on the electrically evoked release of 45calcium from the isolated rat neurohypophysis

Isolated neural lobes of the rat pituitary gland were fixed by their stalks to a platinum wire electrode. They were loaded with 45calcium and then superfused with radioactivity-free Krebs-solution. The efflux of 45calcium into the superfusion medium was determined. After 54-60 min of superfusion the spontaneous outflow of 45calcium was 2.03%/min of the tissue 45calcium. It was not affected by cadmium (Cd2+, 0.03-3 mmol/l), but reduced by 40% in the presence of 1 mmol/l gadolinium (Gd3+). Electrical stimulation with pulses of 15 Hz (3 times for 1 min with intervals of 1 min) evoked a 45calcium release of 14.4% of the tissue radioactivity. The evoked release of 45calcium was reduced by 80% in the presence of tetrodotoxin and by about 50% in the presence of gallopamil (D600, 30 mumol/l) or after omission of unlabelled calcium from the superfusion medium. Gd3+ concentration-dependently reduced the evoked release by maximally 75% at 3 mmol/l. However, it inhibited the evoked release of 45calcium less effectively than the release of vasopressin evoked by identical stimulation conditions. Cd2+ reduced the evoked release by maximally 55% at 300 mumol/l. The effect of Cd2+ on the evoked release of vasopressin was not tested because Cd2+ markedly increased the spontaneous outflow of vasopressin. When the stimulation was carried out for only 1 min at 15 Hz (i.e. 900 pulses) the evoked release of 45calcium was 10.6% of the tissue 45calcium and 100 mumol/l Cd2+ or 300 mumol/l Gd3+ caused a reduction of the evoked release similar to that observed when 3 periods of stimulation were applied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Extracellular potassium changes in the rat neurohypophysis during activation of the magnocellular neurosecretory system

1. Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes were used to measure extracellular [K+] in the isolated rat neurohypophysis maintained in vitro. Electrical stimulation of the neurohypophysial stalk (20 Hz 5 s) increased the inferred extracellular [K+] by 9.2 +/- 0.4 mM (mean +/- S.E. of mean; n = 21). 2. Veratridine (10 microM) enhanced the response to stalk stimulation, and at a higher concentration (50 microM) increased extracellular [K+] in the absence of stimulation. By contrast, tetrodotoxin (1 microM) blocked the [K+] increase completely and reversibly in each of five experiments, indicating that the increase was a consequence of action potential generation. 3. At the end of brief periods of stimulation, the raised extracellular [K+] returned to pre-stimulation levels within 30 s. In the presence of ouabain (100 microM), the recovery was slower: the half-decay time was extended by 150-300% in each of three experiments. 4. Replacement of calcium in the medium with cobalt, cadmium or magnesium reduced the amplitude of the [K+] increase by 26-30%, indicating that the [K+] increase was largely independent of events subsequent to evoked release of hormone and/or transmitters. 5. Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes were placed in the neurohypophysis of rats anaesthetized with urethane. Electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk (50 Hz, 5 s) produced transient voltage increases of 7.6 +/- 0.9 mV (mean +/- S.E. of mean of seven experiments). These voltage increases were similar in magnitude to the response of the electrodes to the addition of 7.6 +/- 1.0 mM-K+ to rat plasma. 6. In seven lactating rats, the suckling of a litter of hungry pups evoked periodic reflex milk ejections, as detected by increases in intramammary pressure. Potassium-sensitive microelectrodes in the neurohypophysis recorded transient voltage increases prior to each milk ejection (0.4-5.5 mV). Each increase preceded an increase in intramammary pressure by 12-30 s. 7. Thus synchronized high-frequency activation of magnocellular neurones can produce large changes in extracellular [K+]. The implications of these findings for stimulus-secretion coupling in the neurohypophysis are discussed in the light of previous reports that hormone release from the neurohypophysis is highly dependent on the frequency and pattern of electrical stimulation.

Hormone release from isolated nerve endings of the rat neurohypophysis

1. Isolated neurosecretory nerve endings were prepared from rat neurohypophyses. The amount of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin released was measured by radioimmunoassay. 2. The amount of hormone release under resting conditions was not affected by external calcium (Ca2+o). Secretion decreased by ca. 50% when external sodium (Na+o) was replaced by choline or sucrose. 3. Ouabain did not modify the basal AVP release. 4. The Na+ ionophore monensin increased the release of AVP only in the presence of Na+o. This increase was maintained during prolonged exposure to the ionophore and occurred in the presence of Ca2+o only. 5. In the presence of Ca2+o, the amount of evoked hormone release was dependent on the external K+ concentration. Half-maximal activation was achieved with ca. 40 mM-K+. The K+-induced secretion was potentiated in Na+-free solution. 6. Prolonged 100 mM-K+-induced depolarization in the presence of Ca2+o gave rise to a large increase in hormone secretion which decreased with time (t1/2 = 2.5 min). The release could be reactivated after permeabilization of the nerve terminals in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. 7. A stepwise paradigm in which Ko+ is incrementally increased to 25, 50, 75 and then 100 mM released more AVP than a prolonged exposure to 100 mM-K+. 8. Veratridine increased the amount of AVP released. This effect was considerably reduced in the absence of Nao+ and abolished in the presence of D600. 9. The depolarization-induced AVP release was blocked by different Ca2+-antagonists. Their effectiveness was nitrendipine = nicardipine greater than Cd2+ greater than Gd3+ greater than Co2+ = Mn2+. 10. The dihydropyridine Bay K 8644 potentiated both the basal and the K+-evoked AVP release. Its maximal effect was obtained with 25-50 mM-Ko+. 11. In conclusion, the isolated neurohypophysial terminals which have both Na+ and Ca2+ channels and release AVP and oxytocin upon depolarization might be an excellent system to study further the mechanisms leading to secretion of neurohormones.

Depolarization-induced Ca2+ increase in isolated neurosecretory nerve terminals measured with fura-2

The free Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat neurohypophysial nerve endings was measured using the Ca2+ indicator fura-2. Depolarization with high K, veratridine, or electrical stimulation induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that was abolished by agents known to block voltage-sensitive Ca channels. Electrical stimulation of the isolated nerve endings with a pulse pattern similar to that recorded in vivo from the hypothalamic magnocellular neurons showed that the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration was not only a function of the applied frequency but also of the duration of the silent interburst intervals. The relationship between the cytoplasmic free Ca concentration and the release of neuropeptides is discussed.

Effects of calcium on frequency-modulated secretion of vasopressin from isolated murine neural lobes

The relationship between external calcium and frequency-facilitated arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion from the murine neurointermediate lobe was examined in vitro. We evaluated the calcium-dependency of frequency-dependent release in this system, and found that log AVP secretion versus log external calcium plots gave slopes of 0.71, 0.92 and 1.2 for 5, 10 and 20 Hz stimulation, respectively. These slopes are considerably lower than the slopes of 3-4 Hz found at conventional synaptic junctions.

Mercuric chloride inhibition of vasopressin release from the isolated neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary

The effects of HgCl2 and ouabain on vasopressin release and Ca2+ uptake and distribution was examined in the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary. HgCl2 (0.5 mM) inhibited vasopressin release by approx. 90% in both basal and potassium depolarized states. With 0.1 mM HgCl2 vasopressin release was inhibited by 50% in the depolarized state, but release was not effected in basal state. On the other hand, ouabain (0.5 mM) caused a 3-fold stimulation of vasopressin release in the depolarized state. Both HgCl2 (0.5 mM) and ouabain (0.5 mM) increased net 45Ca+2 uptake by about 80% in groups of neurointermediate lobes. Following 45Ca+2 uptake, HgCl2 (0.5 mM), which is absorbed by the neurointermediate lobe, produced an increase in cytosolic 45Ca+2 content and a decrease in mitochondrial 45Ca+2 content compared to control. In comparison, ouabain (0.5 mM), which does not penetrate the neurointermediate lobe, gave no change in cytosolic 45Ca+2, but an increase in mitochondrial 45Ca+2. These results suggest that HgCl2 inhibits vasopressin release from the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary at a point distal to Ca+2 uptake by the gland.

Do opioid peptides modulate, at the level of the nerve endings, the release of neurohypophysial hormones?

Rat neurointermediate lobes and neurohypophyses separated from the pars intermedia were stimulated in vitro in the presence of either D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), a Leu-enkephalin stable analogue or FK 33-824 a Met-enkephalin stable analogue. Secretion of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) was produced by either a Ca2+-ionophore or with electrical stimulation or by K+-induced depolarization. These opioid peptides and their antagonist naloxone did not affect basal nor evoked hormone release. Furthermore, they did not affect the evoked calcium uptake induced with electrical stimulation. These findings were confirmed using a preparation of isolated neurosecretory nerve endings. Further, dopamine had no effect on the K+-induced AVP release although a crude extract of the pars intermedia abolished the electrically-evoked and reduced considerably the potassium-evoked AVP release. It is concluded that in the neurohypophysis neither Leu- and Met-enkephalin nor dopamine affect the secretion-coupling mechanism at the level of the neurosecretory nerve endings.

The role of patterned burst and interburst interval on the excitation-coupling mechanism in the isolated rat neural lobe

Isolated rat neural lobes were stimulated electrically and the release of vasopressin and oxytocin was measured by radioimmunoassay. The neurohypophyses were stimulated with pulses given at a constant frequency or with a pulse pattern imitating the electrical activity, recorded in vivo, of vasopressin- or oxytocin-containing magnocellular neurones. A single burst recorded from a 'vasopressin' cell with an intraburst mean frequency of 13 Hz evoked more vasopressin release than the same number of stimuli delivered at a constant frequency of 13 Hz. The amount of vasopressin release per pulse was much higher at the beginning than at the end of the burst. Series of bursts given with interburst silent periods released more hormone than bursts delivered without silent periods. The amount of hormone released by four 'vasopressin' bursts was significantly larger with silent periods of 21 s than with shorter intervals. Four pulses were much more effective in promoting hormone release when given with 60 ms interspike intervals at the beginning of each second than when delivered at a constant frequency of 4 Hz. Prolonged stimulation with 'vasopressin' bursts had a greater effect in inducing hormone release than the same number of pulses given in burst delivered at a constant frequency of 13 Hz. After an initial increase the rate of vasopressin release declined rapidly whereas oxytocin release remained elevated for the first 20 min and only then decreased. The release of both vasopressin and oxytocin remained, however, above the release from unstimulated neurohypophyses. 45Ca uptake in the neural lobe was larger when the neurohypophyses were stimulated with vasopressin or oxytocin bursts delivered with silent intervals than when the silent periods were omitted, or when the tissue was stimulated with bursts with the same number of pulses but given at a constant frequency of 13 Hz. In conclusion, it is suggested that the interspike intervals in a burst and the silent intervals between bursts are two important determinants of the effectiveness of the burst pattern in promoting neuropeptide release.

Forskolin: its effects on potassium-evoked release of vasopressin from the rat neurohypophysis

The effect of forskolin, added either before or 5 min after the onset of potassium-evoked release of vasopressin from isolated neurointermediate lobes of the rat has been investigated. A low concentration of forskolin (1 microM), added before stimulation, enhanced the potassium-evoked release of vasopressin throughout two successive 5 min periods of stimulation. Higher concentrations of forskolin (10-80 microM) produced no effect on the potassium-evoked release of hormone during the first 5 min of stimulation, but inhibited release during the second 5 min period. When added 5 min after the onset of potassium stimulation, forskolin (1-80 microM) reduced the amount of vasopressin released during the remaining 5 min of stimulation. Forskolin produced a concentration-dependent increase in cyclic AMP during both the control and potassium stimulation periods. The amount of cyclic AMP generated by forskolin during potassium stimulation was less than that produced during the corresponding control periods.

Ultracytochemical localization of Ca++-ATPase activity in pituicytes of the neurohypophysis of the guinea pig

Ca++-ATPase activity (cf. Ando et al. 1981) was examined both light- and electron-microscopically in the neurohypophysis of the guinea pig. Apart from a strong activity within the walls of the blood vessels, in the parenchyma of the neurohypophysis the reaction product of the Ca++-ATPase activity was restricted to the plasmalemma of the pituicytes. This reaction was completely dependent upon Ca++ and the substrate, ATP; the reaction was inhibited by 0.1 mM quercetin, an inhibitor of Ca++-ATPase. A reduction of the enzyme activity occurred by 1) adding Mg++ to the standard incubation medium, and 2) substituting Ca++ with Mg++ at varying concentrations. In all experiments the neurosecretory fibers were devoid of Ca++-ATPase activity. The function of the Ca++-ATPase activity in the plasmalemma of the pituicytes is discussed in connection with the regulation of the extracellular Ca++ concentration, which seems to be important with respect to the discharge of secretory material from the neurosecretory fibers.

The relationship between the membrane potential of neurosecretory nerve endings, as measured by a voltage-sensitive dye, and the release of neurohypophysial hormones

The membrane potential of isolated rat neurohypophyses and isolated neurosecretosomes (neurosecretory nerve endings) was monitored with the voltage sensitive fluorescent probe diS-C3-(5). K ions, in contrast to Na or Cl ions, give rise to large changes of the fluorescent signal. The fluorescent response is linearly related to log[K+]0 at values higher than 10 mM, whereas at lower [K+]0 the permeability of the membrane for Na ions has to be taken into account. Veratridine increases the fluorescent signal only in the presence of external sodium; this effect is blocked by tetrodotoxin. After prolonged K-induced depolarisation, addition of veratridine to the medium gives a further change in fluorescence of diS-C3-(5) associated with release of vasopressin. Vasopressin release from isolated neurohypophyses started to increase significantly only above 25 mk [K+]0, while the depolarization of the membrane was linearly related to log[K+]0. The results are consistent with the view that neurosecretory nerve endings have voltage-dependent calcium channels that regulate the amount of hormone released during depolarisation.

Calcium efflux from the rat neurohypophysis

1. Calcium efflux from isolated rat neurophypophyses has been studied. Curve fitting of the wash-out curves suggests three phases with t((1/2)) of ca. 3, 15 and 130 min.2. The slow component of the (45)Ca efflux is attributed to efflux of intracellular Ca. On the basis of the temperature sensitivity of the Ca efflux, the activation energy has been calculated to be approximately 12,000 cal/mole, corresponding to a Q(10) of ca. 2.0.3. Ca efflux decreased by approximately 32% when external Na was replaced by choline. Li(o), in the presence or absence of Ca(o), was as effective as Na(o) in stimulating the Ca efflux.4. The curve relating Ca efflux to [Na](o) or [Li](o) is sigmoid and suggests that at least two Na (or Li) ions are necessary to activate the efflux of each Ca ion. Ca(o) does not modify the absolute Na-dependent Ca efflux but decreases the affinity for Na of the site involved in Ca extrusion.5. Removal of Ca(o) decreased the Ca efflux by ca. 44% in Na-free media. The apparent affinity for Ca(o) of the Ca(o)-activated Ca efflux (K(m) (Cao) = 20 muM) is greatly decreased by the presence of 150 mM-Na (K(m) (Cao) = 0.8 mM).6. Lanthanum decreased the total Ca efflux by ca. 60% and totally abolished the Na(o)-activated and Ca(o)-activated Ca efflux.7. Vanadate reduced the Ca efflux remaining in Na-, Ca-free saline by 73%.8. Elevation of Na(i) with ouabain did not modify the rate of loss of (45)Ca.9. Increased concentration of K(o) stimulated transiently the (45)Ca loss. The time course of this increase depends on the Ca(o) concentration ([Ca](o)).10. Cyanide or CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) increased transiently the Ca efflux. The increase induced by cyanide could only be observed when the neural lobes had been over-loaded with (45)Ca.11. Membrane destruction induced by high temperature eliminated the effect of [Na](o) and [Ca](o) on (45)Ca efflux.12. In 150 mM-Na-containing saline, half-maximum activation of (45)Ca uptake occurs in the 0.2-0.4 mM [Ca](o) range.13. The Ca efflux from isolated pituicytes was not affected by removal of Na(o).14. In conclusion we show that Ca efflux from neurosecretory nerve terminals can be subdivided into three components of approximately the same magnitude, one which is activated by Na(o), another by Ca(o) and a third component which is independent of Na(o) and Ca(o).

Changes in posterior pituitary oxytocin release in vitro during the estrous cycle of female rats

The in vitro release of oxytocin (OXT) from posterior pituitary lobes (PPL) of adult female rats is linked to the stage of the animals' sexual cycles. After incubation in normal Locke's solution (K+ 5,6 mM), the basal OXT release from the PPL of rats on diestrus 1 and estrus amounted to 2.25 +/- 0.53 ng/lobe/10 min (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 4.71 +/- 0.61 ng/lobe/10 min, respectively. Excess K+ (56 mM/l) in the presence of Ca++ (2.2 mM/l) increased OXT liberation from the PPl of diestrous and estrous rats to 12.41 +/- 2.65 ng/lobe/10 min und 36.33 +/- 6.18 ng/lobe/10 min, respectively. When Ca++ was omitted from the incubation medium, the K+-excess induced OXT release from the PPL of estrous rats decreased to 21.54 +/- 2.65 ng/lobe/10 min whereas no change occurred in the OXT-release from the rats' PPL on diestrus 1 in the presence of Ca++. The results indicate a cycle-dependent release and suggest that OXT plays a role in the reproductive processes.

Oxytocin release from isolated posterior pituitary lobes of adult male rats as determined by radioimmunoassay

In vitro oxytocin (OXT) release from isolated posterior pituitary lobes (PPL) of adult male Wistar rats was measured under basal and K+- stimulated conditions using a specific, sensitive radioimmunoassay. A basal release of 0.95 +/- 0.20 ng OXT/lobe/10 min was estimated in standard Locke's bathing solution. An excess of K+ (56 mmol/l) augmented the OXT secretion to 18.1 +/- 2.24 ng OXT/lobe/10 min in the presence of 2.2 mmol/Ca++. A stimulatory effect of K+ excess was also determined in Ca++-free medium and in Ca++ free medium enriched with 0.7 mmol/l EGTA. An inhibitory effect on K+-stimulated OXT release was achieved by raising the Mg++ concentration from 1.0-8.0 mmol/l of bathing fluid. During prolonged K+ stimulation the rate of OXT release declined exponentially. Estimation of the OXT content of PPLs after prolonged stimulation with K+ excess revealed that the lobes still contained 80% of their original OXT content.

Effects of divalent and lanthanide ions on motility initiation in rat caudal epididymal spermatozoa

1 Sperm motility initiation of rat caudal epididymal spermatozoa in vitro has been studied.2 Spermatozoa flushed out from the cauda epididymis with a sodium-free medium exhibited a transient motility which decreased progressively. At 40 min, the forward motility was completely suppressed. However, if they were resuspended in a sodium containing medium their motility was completely restored to normal within 15 min.3 This initiation of sperm motility required the presence of extracellular calcium. Maximal stimulation was obtained at a calcium concentration of 10(-3)M. Above this concentration, further increase in calcium produced a fall in motility and at 10(-2)M, motility initiation was completely suppressed.4 The initiation of sperm motility has been shown to depend closely on sodium. Sperm motility initiation alters in a curvilinear fashion with extracellular sodium concentration showing saturation kinetics. High calcium (above 10(-3)M) was found to depress motility initiation induced by sodium, without affecting the apparent affinity constant for sodium.5 The effect of Ca(2+) on sperm motility initiation could be mimicked by Sr(2+) but not by Mg(2+), La(3+) or Eu(3+).6 In the presence of extracellular calcium (1.27 or 2.54 mM), La(3+) and Eu(3+) exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of sperm motility initiation. The IC(50) values for both ions were about 5 x 10(-5)M.7 The possible mechanism of inhibition by lanthanide ions is discussed.

Exocytotic secretion of catecholamines from the cat adrenal medulla by sodium deprivation: involvement of calcium influx mechanism

1 Cat adrenal glands were perfused with Ca-deficient medium and secretion of catecholamines (CA) was induced by perfusion with Na-free medium in which NaCl was replaced by an osmotically equivalent amount of sucrose. 2 Release of CA and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), but not that of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase, was concomitantly found in the effluents when the adrenals were stimulated, indicating that secretion was due to exocytosis. 3 Secretion of CA induced by Na-free (sucrose) medium was dependent on the concentration of Ca and was saturated at 0.5 mM of Ca. 4 Sr or Ba substituted for Ca in maintaining secretion by Na-free (sucrose) medium. 5 The addition of Na, Li or alkali metal ions to Na-free (sucrose) medium containing Ca reduced the response to a variable extent but this inhibition was reversed by raising the concentration of Ca in the Na-free medium. 6 All of the Na substitutes used induced secretion only when this medium contained Ca. However, different Na substitutes released different amounts of CA; sucrose was most effective, K, Tris and choline were moderately and Li least effective. 7 Secretion of CA by Na-free (sucrose) medium was strongly inhibited by D-600, tetracaine or divalent cations such as Co, Ni, Zn and Mg. The inhibition by Co was partially reversed by raising the concentration of Ca in the Na-free medium. 8 Secretion of CA from bovine isolated chromaffin cells was induced by Na-deficient (sucrose) medium and was dependent on the concentrations of ionized Ca involved. 9 All the Na substitutes tested increased secretion of CA and 45Ca uptake, in a parallel fashion. 10 A correlation between secretion and 45Ca uptake was found under various experimental manipulations which reduced secretion of CA. 11 These results demonstrated that unlike the perfused bovine adrenals, the Ca influx mechanism is essential for secretion by Na deprivation in the perfused cat adrenals as it is in bovine isolated chromaffin cells. 12 It is suggested that Na deprivation increases Ca entry through the Ca channels by eliminating the competition between Na and Ca, and possibly by activating Ca influx linked with Na efflux.

Secretion of the rat cauda epididymidis

A method has been developed to study the mechanism of epididymal secretion in the anesthetized rat in vivo. Secretion of the cauda epididymidis was affected by altering the intraluminal calcium ion concentration. Removal of calcium caused a rise and high calcium (10 X normal) caused a fall in the rate of secretion. Exocytosis did not seem to be operative in the epididymidis. The perfusate collected from the cauda epididymidis stimulated the forward motility of the washed caudal epididymal spermatozoa. This effect was concentration-dependent. At low concentration the perfusate stimulated the forward motility and at high concentration it caused a fall. A similar relationship between concentration and effect was noted for the epididymal plasma. When the diluted perfusate was used as the stimulant, there was a time lag of 15 min before any stimulation of forward motility was observed. However, the effect of the diluted epididymal plasma was immediate. The effect of the perfusate but not the plasma was inhibited by pretreatment of the sperm with cyclohexamide (10(-4) M). This difference in the action of the two fluids was discussed in relation to the proteins present in the fluids as revealed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Calcium localization in the rat neurohypophysis

Neurosecretory nerve endings in the rat neurohypophysis release their hormones by exocytosis subsequent to an influx of calcium from the external medium. The nerve endings are characterized by the presence of neurosecretory granules, mitochondria, occasional vacuoles, and a population of microvesicles similar in appearance to spherical synaptic vesicles. The function of the microvesicles has, for a long time, been uncertain. In view of evidence that coated microvesicles isolated from cerebral cortex are capable of ATP-dependent calcium accumulation, a method has now been developed for the visualization of calcium in the neurohypophysis at the ultrastructural level. With this technique, calcium precipitates are consistently seen in the microvesicles, mitochondria and glial cell (pituicyte) nuclei. In addition, the pituicyte cytoplasm and perivascular space show a diffuse precipitate which can be removed by washing the tissue prior to fixation. The function of the microvesicles might therefore be to sequester calcium within the nerve endings.

Effect of intraluminal ion concentrations on the secretion of the rat cauda epididymidis in vivo

It has been shown that the rat epididymis secretes proteins and organic compounds which may play a role in sperm maturation and storage. A method has been described to study caudal epididymal secretion in anaesthetized rats in vivo. The cauda epididymidis was luminally perfused with Krebs bicarbonate solution. The perfusate collected at the vas deferens was allowed to flow through a microcell and absorption at 280 nm was monitored and displayed on a recorder. Secretion as measured by this method was found to be independent of perfusion rate ranging from 2.8 to 25 microliter/min and was maintained over a period of 8 h. Removal of Na+ ions from the perfusion fluid had no effect on the secretion rate. Removal of Ca2+ by perfusion of the duct with a Ca2+-free EGTA (1.5 mM) solution caused a rise in the secretion rate as revealed by an increase in absorption of the perfusate. High potassium produced similar results. Analysis of the perfusates showed that the Ca2+-free EGTA solution caused an increase in the secretion of non-protein materials whilst high potassium stimulated the release of proteins. Luminal application (0.5 mg/ml) or intraperitoneal injection (30 or 80 mg/kg) of cycloheximide had no effect on secretion during the 6 h post-treatment period. These results are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism of secretion in the epididymis.

Isolation and partial characterization of magnesium ion- and calcium ion-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activity from bovine brain microsomal fraction

Microsomal fraction was prepared by ultracentrifugation of homogenates of cortical tissue from bovine brains. The preparation displayed ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) activity in the presence of Mg(2+) (6.4mumol of P(i)/h per mg of protein) and Ca(2+) (3.4mumol of P(i)/h per mg of protein). Kinetic analysis of the activation of the enzyme preparation by Ca(2+) resulted in the demonstration of two apparent K(m) values for Ca(2+) (6.0x10(-8)m and 1.2x10(-6)m). Treatment of the microsomal membranes with Triton X-100 resulted in solubilization of the ATPase, though with some loss of activity. The solubilized microsomal proteins were incorporated into liposomes. By incubation of the liposomes in media containing (45)Ca(2+) an ATP-dependent uptake of Ca(2+) was demonstrated. The solubilized preparation was subjected to preparative isoelectric focusing in granulated gel beds. Two distinct peaks of Mg(2+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity were observed at pH4.8 (peak 4.8) and at pH6.3 (peak 6.3). The material isolated in peaks 4.8 and 6.3 was focused in polyacrylamide gel with pH gradients. The material corresponding to peak 4.8 consisted of a single protein, whereas peak 6.3 contained one major and at least one minor protein. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis confirmed these results and indicated that the major component of peak 4.8 and the protein of peak 6.3 both had a molecular weight of 105000. The material in peaks 4.8 and 6.3 was assayed for ATPase activity in the presence of various concentrations of Ca(2+). Kinetic analysis of the results for peak 4.8 demonstrated an apparent K(m) value for Ca(2+) of 4.1x10(-8)m. The enzyme isolated at pH6.3 had an apparent K(m) value of 3.8x10(-6)m. However, when the material from peak 4.8 was incubated in the presence of 1mm-Mg(2+) the ATPase could not be activated by Ca(2+).

Calcium as a second messenger in the stimulation of luteinizing hormone secretion

In cells dissociated from porcine anterior pituitary glands and maintained in culture for 48 h the specific secretagogue luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) induces a biphasic pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH) release. A biphasic pattern of release is also induced by 57 X 10(-3) M K+ and the ionophore A-23187. By reducing the availability of Ca2+, either by omission from the medium, chelation or interfering with Ca2+ transport across the plasma membrane, it is shown that LH release stimulated by LH-RH is much less dependent upon the availability of extracellular Ca2+ than that stimulated by either high K+ or A-23187. Nevertheless, by using a lanthanum displacement protocol to follow the influx of 45Ca2+ it is shown that LH-RH stimulation does induce an influx of extracellular Ca2+. Parallel experiments in which the stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from preloaded cells is followed confirm the influx data but suggest, in addition, that when the influx of extracellular Ca2+ is inhibited, the peptide is able to mobilize Ca2+ from an intracellular location. It is thus concluded that while LH release can be initiated by an increase in the intracellular level of Ca2+, and although LH-RH stimulation does increase the permeability of the plasma membrane to Ca2+, the stimulation of LH release by LH-RH is not dependent upon extracellular Ca2+.