Detection of a lag phase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulated synthesis of lutropin peptide chains in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

We have studied the time course (0-5h) of the stimulatory effect of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on the biosynthesis of lutropin (LH) polypeptide chains, as measured by the incorporation of [35S] methionine into proteins synthesized in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells in the absence or presence of 10nM GnRH. Labeled polypeptides, immunologically related to LH subunits alpha and beta, were isolated by specific immunoprecipitation, analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, then revealed by fluorography and quantified by counting the excised bands. This methodology allowed us to detect the radioactivity incorporated into LH subunits after less than 15 min of incubation. During first 1h of the time-course the quantity of [35S]Met incorporated into both alpha and LH beta subunits was not increased by the presence of GnRH in the incubation medium. A significant increase in the incorporation of radioactivity into LH subunits was observed after 2h of GnRH treatment. However, the increase in LH release into the medium in response to GnRH, as measured by RIA, was immediate. These data demonstrate that GnRH-stimulated synthesis of LH polypeptide chains occurs after a lag of approximately 1h and involves mechanisms different from those governing the stimulation of LH release.     

Phorbol ester-induced LH release in pituitary gonadotrophs: effects of antagonists of calmodulin and GnRH.

The phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a potent activator of Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C kinase), stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) release from rat pituitary cells. The actions of TPA upon LH release were compared with those of the GnRH superagonist [D-Ala6] des-Gly10-GnRH N-ethylamide (GnRHa) in cultured pituitary cells. LH release was stimulated by 0.1 nM TPA and the maximum response at 10 nM TPA was 50% of the LH response to GnRHa. The ED50 values for TPA and GnRHa were 1.2 and 0.037 nM, respectively, and the maximum stimulatory effects of TPA and GnRHa on LH release were not additive. GnRHa-stimulated LH release was decreased by calmodulin (CaM) antagonists including pimozide, trifluoperazine, W5 and W7, being most effectively reduced (by 70%) by 10 microM pimozide. In contrast to their inhibition of GnRH action, these antagonists enhanced TPA-stimulated LH release, so that 10 microM pimozide and W7 doubled the maximum LH response. The potent GnRH antagonist [Ac-D-p-Cl-Phe1.2, D-Trp3, D-Lys6, D-Ala10]GnRH, which completely inhibited GnRHa-stimulated LH release with ID50 of 6.8 nM, also reduced maximum TPA-stimulated LH release by about 50%. These results suggest that both Ca2+/CaM and C kinase pathways are involved in the LH release mechanism, and indicate that C kinase plays a major role in the action of GnRH upon gonadotropin secretion. The synergism between CaM antagonists and TPA suggests that blockade of CaM-mediated processes leads to enhanced activation of the C kinase pathway, possibly by removal of an inhibitory influence. Furthermore, the partial inhibition of TPA-stimulated LH release by a GnRH antagonist suggests that the pathway(s), specifically connected with LH release in the diverse effects of C kinase, might be locked by the continuous receptor inactivation by antagonist and indicates the complicated pathways which diverge from the receptor and converge into specific cellular response.     

Regulation of protein synthesis in Y-organs of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus): involvement of cyclic AMP

Paired Y-organs secrete ecdysteroid hormones that control cycles of growth and molting in crustaceans. Y-Organs are regulated, at least in part, by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a polypeptide produced and released by the X-organ/sinus gland complex of the eyestalks. In the present studies, crab (Callinectes sapidus) Y-organs were incubated in vitro in the presence of [(35)S]methionine, and cyclic nucleotide analogs or experimental agents that influence the cAMP signaling pathway. In 4-hr incubations, 8-Br-cAMP and db-cAMP (but not 8-Br-cGMP) suppressed incorporation of [(35)S]methionine into Y-organ proteins; the effect of 8-Br-cAMP was concentration-dependent. Autoradiograms of radiolabeled Y-organ proteins separated on SDS-PAGE gels indicated the effect of 8-Br-cAMP was general (as opposed to selective) suppression of protein synthesis. Addition of both forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activator) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) likewise suppressed incorporation of [(35)S]methionine into Y-organ proteins. Cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor) suppressed incorporation of [(35)S]methionine into Y-organ proteins and secretion of ecdysteroids. The combined results suggest that cAMP is involved in regulation of protein synthesis in C. sapidus Y-organs. We are currently investigating the link of protein synthesis to ecdysteroid production, and the possibility of cross-talk between cAMP and other cellular signaling pathways in Y-organs.     

Regulation of cAMP-activated apical membrane chloride conductance in gallbladder epithelium

Regulation of the cAMP-activated apical membrane Cl- conductance (GaCl) in Necturus gallbladder (NGB) epithelial cells was investigated with intracellular-microelectrode techniques. GaCl was increased by exposure to 8-Br-cAMP, theophylline or forskolin. Neither 8-Br-cGMP nor elevation of intracellular [Ca2+] using ionomycin had effects on GaCl or interfered with activation of GaCl by forskolin. N-(2- [methylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H8), an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), slowed but did not prevent the GaCl response to 8-Br-cAMP. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C (PKC), stimulated GaCl but had no effects on intracellular [cAMP]. GaCl was unaffected by 4 alpha- phorbol, a PMA analog which does not activate PKC. Okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases (PP) types 1 and 2A, slowed the activation of GaCl by 8-Br-cAMP, hastened the return of GaCl to basal values following removal of 8-Br-cAMP, and significantly reduced the elevation in intracellular [cAMP] produced by forskolin. OA had no effects on the GaCl changes elicited by theophylline. We conclude that: (a) NGB GaCl can be activated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation of apical membrane Cl- channels or a regulatory protein, (b) GaCl can also be activated via PKC, by a cAMP-independent mechanism, (c) OA-sensitive PP are not required for inactivation of GaCl; OA appears to stimulate phosphodiesterase, which lowers intracellular [cAMP] and affects GaCl activation, and (d) the apical membrane of NGB epithelium lacks a Ca(2+)-activated Cl- conductance.     

Mechanisms of secretory responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone and phorbol esters in cultured pituitary cells. Participation of protein kinase C and extracellular calcium mobilization

The role of protein kinase C in luteinizing hormone (LH) release was analyzed in studies on the actions of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and phorbol esters in cultured pituitary cells. During incubation in normal medium, GnRH stimulated LH release with an ED50 of 0.35 nM. Incubation in Ca2+-deficient medium (Ca2+-free, 10 microM) substantially decreased but did not abolish the LH responses to GnRH. The extracellular Ca2+-dependent component of GnRH action could be mimicked by high K+ concentrations, consistent with the presence of voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) in pituitary gonadotrophs. Ca2+ channel agonist (Bay K 8644) and antagonist (nifedipine) analogs, respectively, enhanced or partially inhibited LH responses to GnRH and also to K+, the latter confirming the participation of two types of VSCC (dihydropyridine-sensitive and -insensitive) in K+-induced secretion. Phorbol esters, including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibenzoate, and 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-diacetate, stimulated LH release with ED50s of 5, 10, and 1000 nM, respectively, and with about 70% of the efficacy of GnRH. Phorbol ester-stimulated LH secretion was decreased but not abolished by progressive reduction of [Ca2+]e in the incubation medium, and the residual LH response was identical with that elicited by GnRH in Ca2+-deficient medium. TPA increased [Ca2+]i to a peak after 20 s in normal medium but not in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, indicating that protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) promotes calcium entry but can also mediate secretory responses without changes in calcium influx and [Ca2+]i. The extracellular Ca2+-dependent action of TPA on LH release was blocked by Co2+. However, nifedipine did not alter TPA action on [Ca2+]i and LH release. These observations indicate that protein kinase C can participate in GnRH-induced LH release that is independent of Ca2+ entry, but also promotes the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+-channels.     

Phorbol ester stimulates catecholamine synthesis in isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells

In isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, stimulated [14C]catecholamine synthesis from [14C]tyrosine, but not from [14C]DOPA. This stimulatory effect of TPA on [14C]catecholamine synthesis was not dependent upon extracellular Ca2+, and TPA did not affect the uptake of 45Ca2+ or the release of catecholamine by the cells. TPA also did not affect the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) level. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate, which is not an activator of protein kinase C, did not stimulate the synthesis of [14C]catecholamine from [14C]tyrosine. The stimulatory effect of TPA on [14C]catecholamine synthesis was additive with that of carbamylcholine, but not with that of dibutyryl cAMP (DB-cAMP). From these results, it was suggested that protein kinase C is involved in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity and that this regulatory mechanism might be similar to that involving cAMP.     

Effects of phorbol ester on tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation and activation in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) caused phosphorylation of phosphoproteins of 56-kDa which co-migrated with and had identical pI values to subunits of tyrosine hydroxylase. The phosphorylation was closely correlated with an increase of [3H]3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) production which is a reflection of increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Only those phorbol esters which activate protein kinase C induced phosphorylation of the 56-kDa proteins and increased [3H]DOPA production. Neither TPA-induced phosphorylation of the 56-kDa proteins nor TPA-induced enhancement of [3H] DOPA production required extracellular Ca2+. TPA caused increases in phosphorylation of the 56-kDa proteins and increases in [3H]DOPA production over similar concentration ranges (10-1000 nM). TPA did not increase cellular cAMP. The data suggest that phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of intracellular tyrosine hydroxylase, possibly by protein kinase C, results in increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity.     

Evidence for a role of protein kinase C in luteinizing hormone synthesis and secretion. Impaired responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in protein kinase C-depleted pituitary cells

The role of protein kinase C in luteinizing hormone (LH) release was analyzed in studies on the actions of phorbol esters and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in normal and protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme)-depleted pituitary cell cultures. LH secretory responses of normal pituitary cells to GnRH were reduced but not abolished in Ca2+-deficient medium, consistent with the existence of extracellular Ca2+-dependent and -independent components of GnRH action. Both of these components could be elicited by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The LH secretory responses to TPA and GnRH were additive only at low doses and converged to a common maximum at high concentrations of the agonists in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. The release of stored LH by GnRH and TPA was accompanied by secretion of newly synthesized LH from 2 to 5 h during stimulation by either of the agonists. LH synthesis was increased in a progressive and dose-dependent manner by GnRH and TPA, and the ratio between newly synthesized and released hormone was near 1:2. TPA caused rapid and complete translocation of cytosolic protein kinase C to the particulate fraction of pituitary cells, followed by a progressive decrease in total enzyme content to approximately 10% after 6 h. Partial recovery of the cytosolic enzyme (to 20%) occurred after washing and reincubation for 15 h. Such kinase C-depleted cells showed prominent, dose-dependent reductions in the actions of GnRH and TPA on LH release and synthesis in both normal and Ca2+-deficient media. These observations support the hypothesis that protein kinase C participates in LH biosynthesis and secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs and is involved in the actions of GnRH upon these processes.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone action upon luteinizing hormone bioactivity in pituitary gland: role of sulfation

The regulation of rat luteinizing hormone (rLH) bioactivity was studied in an in vitro system using isolated pituitaries from male rats. Stored and released rLH was evaluated in terms of mass (I-LH), bioactivity (B-LH), mobility in nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis, and mannose and sulfate incorporation either in the presence or absence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH increased the biological potency of stored and released rLH. The pituitary content revealed seven I-LH species (pH 7.2, 7.8, 8.5, 9.0, 9.1, 9.3, and 9.7) and five B-LH species (pH 8.5, 9.0, 9.2, 9.4, and 9.7). The major I-LH and B-LH peaks were at pH 9.0 and 9.2, respectively. I-LH peaks at pH 7.2 and 7.8 are devoid of bioactivity; at these pH values, free rLH subunits are detectable. GnRH increases the amount of both I-LH and B-LH material secreted into the medium, and the major component migrates at pH 8.5 and is probably the alpha beta dimer. [3H]Mannose and [35S]sulfate can be incorporated into stored and released rLH (pH 7.2, 7.8, 9.0, 9.1, and 9.3 and 7.2, 7.8, 8.5, and 9.0, respectively). GnRH decreases [2-3H]mannose incorporation into secreted rLH. [35S]Sulfate was incorporated into I-LH released spontaneously into the medium; the form at pH 7.2 has no biological activity and is probably the free alpha subunit. GnRH decreases the [35S]sulfate-labeled rLH content of the pituitary concomitantly with a 500% increase in [35S]sulfate-labeled released rLH, suggesting that, soon after [35S]sulfate is incorporated, sulfated rLH is released. Sulfatase action on released rLH reveals that sulfation may be related to release of rLH but that sulfate residues are not involved in the expression of rLH bioactivity. In conclusion, GnRH stimulates carbohydrate incorporation and processing of the oligosaccharide residues giving the highest biological potent rLH molecule and also increases sulfation; this step is closely related to the step limiting the appearance of LH in the medium in the absence of GnRH.     

Staurosporine enhances gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-stimulated luteinizing hormone secretion

In intact sheep gonadotropes, the protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibited the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Under the same conditions staurosporine enhanced gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated LH exocytosis without altering the EC50 of GnRH and without affecting basal LH exocytosis. These results suggest that PKC does not play a major role in mediating acute GnRH-stimulated LH exocytosis. Furthermore, they demonstrate that staurosporine enhances GnRH stimulus-secretion coupling. Both extracellular Ca2(+)-dependent and Ca2(+)-independent components of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion were enhanced by the drug. Staurosporine had no effect on GnRH stimulation of cAMP and inositol phosphate synthesis. In permeabilized cells staurosporine did not enhance Ca2(+)- and cAMP-stimulated LH exocytosis. Based on these results we hypothesize that staurosporine inhibits a protein kinase which is activated by GnRH and which negatively modulates GnRH stimulus-secretion coupling.     

Interactions of intracellular mediators of amylase secretion in permeabilized pancreatic acini.

Mouse pancreatic acini were permeabilized with streptolysin O to investigate amylase secretion stimulated by various intracellular mediators and the kinetics of secretion as a function of temperature. Amylase secretion was temperature dependent in that the initial rate of Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion increased with increasing temperature. In addition, there was no enhancement of Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion by GTP[gamma S] at 14 degrees C, while enhancement was maximal at 30 degrees C. GTP[gamma S]-mediated enhancement of secretion at a given temperature was mostly due to sustained secretion with a small increase in secretory rate. At 30 degrees C Ca2(+)-stimulated secretion was also enhanced by cAMP and phorbol ester (TPA) to similar extents as by GTP[gamma S]. The maximally effective concentration of cAMP was 1-10 microM in the presence of 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine. The enhancements of Ca2(+)-stimulated amylase secretion by all combinations of cAMP (100 microM plus 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine), TPA (1 microM), and GTP[gamma S] (30 microM) were fully additive. In Ca2(+)-free buffer, cAMP, TPA or GTP[gamma S] individually had no effect on amylase secretion. Together, TPA and GTP[gamma S] stimulated Ca2(+)-independent secretion, which was 187 +/- 38% of basal. Cyclic AMP together with TPA and GTP[gamma S] in the absence of Ca2+ stimulated 329 +/- 30% of basal secretion. Ca2(+)-stimulated amylase secretion was decreased about 50% by metabolic inhibition, while the enhancement by cAMP, TPA or GTP[gamma S] was totally blocked by metabolic inhibitors. These data demonstrate that amylase secretion in the acinar cell is mediated by multiple intracellular pathways which act in parallel and probably converge at a distal step in the exocytotic process.     

Tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate suppresses follicle-stimulating hormone-induced synthesis of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme complex in rat ovarian granulosa cells

The effect of tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced synthesis of the cholesterol side-chain cleavage (SCC) enzyme complex was studied in rat ovarian granulosa cells cultured for 48 h in serum-free medium. Cell proteins were radiolabeled with [35S]methionine, followed by immunoprecipitation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (P-450SCC) as well as the iron-sulfur protein adrenodoxin. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography of the immunoprecipitates showed that TPA, when added in combination with FSH (50 ng/ml) or dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP; 1 mM), suppressed the stimulatory effects of these compounds on the synthesis of the SCC components in a concentration-dependent fashion. The effect of TPA was accompanied by decreased progesterone formation and decreased cAMP accumulation. The structural analog of TPA, phorbol-4 alpha-didecanoate, which does not activate protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme), had no effect on the FSH- or Bt2cAMP-stimulated synthesis of SCC and progesterone or on cAMP formation. In addition to inhibiting the synthesis of these proteins, TPA greatly reduced the FSH- and Bt2cAMP-induced increase in levels of mRNA encoding the precursor form of P-450SCC. It is concluded that the effect of the phorbol ester TPA to inhibit FSH-stimulated progesterone formation in cultured ovarian granulosa cells of the rat involves decreased synthesis of the components of the SCC enzyme complex due to reduced levels of mRNA encoding the precursor forms of these proteins. The results are indicative that TPA not only inhibits FSH-mediated stimulation of cAMP formation but also may block cAMP-mediated induction of SCC synthesis. It is postulated that the effects of TPA may reflect the physiological role of protein kinase C in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis.     

Effect of phorbol ester on stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms in gonadotropin releasing hormone-stimulated pituitary gonadotrophs

The feedback regulatory control mechanism exerted by activated Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein C kinase upon gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) binding, stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover and gonadotropin secretion was investigated in cultured pituitary cells. Addition of the tumor promoter phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), at concentrations which activate pituitary protein C kinase, to cultured pituitary cells resulted in up-regulation of GnRH receptors (155% at 4 h). The stimulatory effect of GnRH on [3H]inositol phosphates (Ins-P) production in myo-[2-3H]inositol prelabeled pituitary cells was not inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with TPA (10(-9)-10(-7) M). Higher concentrations of TPA (10(-6)-10(-5) M) inhibited the effect of GnRH on [3H]Ins-P production. Increasing concentrations of TPA or the permeable analog of diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) release from cultured pituitary cells with ED50 values of 5 x 10(-9) M and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively. No consistent inhibition or additivity of LH release was observed when increasing doses of TPA or OAG were added with a submaximal dose of GnRH. These results suggest that protein C kinase might mediate the known homologous up-regulation of GnRH receptors during the reproductive cycle. Protein C kinase is positively involved in mediating the process of gonadotropin secretion. Unlike many other systems, activation of protein C kinase in pituitary gonadotrophs is not involved in negative feed-back regulation of stimulus-secretion-coupling mechanisms in GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophs.     

Homologous down-regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors and desensitization of gonadotropes: lack of dependence on protein kinase C

The demonstration that GnRH provokes the accumulation of diacylglycerol and the redistribution of protein kinase C to the membrane fraction in gonadotropes suggests a role for this enzyme as a mediator of GnRH action. In the present work we have investigated the possibility that protein kinase C might mediate GnRH-stimulated receptor down-regulation and desensitization. Pretreatment of pituitary cells for 6 h with GnRH (10(-11) - 10(-6) M) caused a biphasic change in GnRH receptor number [the maximum binding (Bmax) for 125I-buserelin binding was increased by 10(-10) M GnRH and reduced by 10(-7) and 10(-6) M GnRH] and caused desensitization (pretreatment with 10(-9) - 10(-6) M GnRH reduced the proportion of cellular LH released in a subsequent challenge with GnRH). Pretreatment for 6 h with 0.2-200 nM phorbol myristate acetate (a protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester) did not cause desensitization, but at 200 nM, did reduce GnRH receptor number. As a further test of the requirement for protein kinase C for GnRH action, cells were depleted of all measurable protein kinase C (and rendered unresponsive to protein kinase C activators) by prior treatment with a high dose of phorbol myristate acetate (500 nM for 6 h followed by 12 h in plating medium). Depletion of protein kinase C did not alter the ability of GnRH to desensitize gonadotropes or down-regulate its own receptors. The demonstration that the effects of GnRH on receptor number and gonadotrope responsiveness are neither blocked by depletion of protein kinase C nor entirely mimicked by activation of protein kinase C suggests that these effects of the releasing hormone are not solely mediated by this enzyme.     

Voltage-regulated calcium channels involved in the regulation of enkephalin synthesis are blocked by phorbol ester treatment

Treatment of bovine chromaffin cells with 40 mM KCl stimulates a 3-fold increase in total methionine enkephalin immunoreactivity (medium plus cells) and a 4-fold increase in proenkephalin mRNA (mRNAenk). These effects of KCl, which are dependent on extracellular calcium, can be blocked by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), although release of methionine enkephalin appears less affected. Using fura-2-loaded chromaffin cells and a dual-excitation wavelength spectrofluorometer, we have examined whether the actions of KCl and TPA on methionine enkephalin synthesis and release can be explained by changes in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). KCl produced a rapid 600 nM increase in [Ca2+]i from resting levels of approximately 170 nM. Subsequently, [Ca2+]i declined to a new steady-state plateau which was approximately 275 nM higher than the original resting levels. The postdepolarization plateau of [Ca2+]i was reduced by TPA, (-)-(R)-202,791 (a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist), and LaCl3 (a nonselective calcium channel blocker). TPA also inhibited potentiation of the KCl-stimulated plateau of [Ca2+]i due to (+)-(S)-202,791, a calcium channel agonist. In contrast, TPA had no effect on resting [Ca2+]i and only slightly inhibited the initial rapid KCl-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i. The inhibitory effects were maintained for 24 h in the continuous presence of TPA. We conclude 1) that TPA inhibits enkephalin synthesis by inactivating dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent calcium channels, 2) that these channels alone maintain elevated [Ca2+]i following KCl depolarization, and 3) that sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i is necessary in order to increase enkephalin synthesis in KCl-treated chromaffin cells.     

Phorbol esters inhibit the synthesis of acetylcholine receptors in cultured muscle cells

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) synthesis, insertion and degradation rates are regulated by numerous intracellular and extracellular agents. Recent studies have shown that Ca2+ and Ca2+ ionophores have a profound regulatory effect on the appearance of AChR clusters and AChR synthesis. These regulatory effects may be mediated through the activation of calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinases by agents such as phorbol esters. In this study, we have utilized 4-beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in order to determine whether the activation of protein kinase C exerts a regulatory effect on the expression of AChRs in cultured chick myotubes. Our results show that 4-beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate decreased intracellular AChRs and suppressed AChR synthesis without affecting the turnover rate. Control and PMA treated cells labeled with [35S] methionine and immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal antibody to the alpha subunit of AChRs (mAb35) revealed a significant decrease in radioactivity precipitated after exposure to PMA. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed no major changes in protein patterns, or in newly synthesized proteins as determined by [35S] methionine incorporation and autoradiography. Other enzymes important in muscle metabolism were not affected by PMA treatment. Our results indicate that activation of protein kinase C results in the suppression of AChRs synthesis and dispersal of AChR clusters.     

A comparative study of the mechanism of action of luteinizing hormone and a gonadotropin releasing hormone analog on the ovary

The mechanism of action of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonistic analog ([D-Ala6]GnRH) on the rat ovary has been studied in comparison to similar effects of luteinizing hormone (LH). Stimulation of meiosis resumption in vitro in follicle-enclosed oocytes by both LH and [D-Ala6] GnRH, was blocked by elevated levels of cAMP as demonstrated when either dibutyryl cAMP or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor methylisobutylxanthine was present in the culture medium. In vivo, the prostaglandin synthase inhibitor indomethacin, which blocks LH-induced ovulation, also inhibited ovulation induced by the GnRH analog in hypophysectomized rats. On the other hand, the potent GnRH-antagonist [D-pGlu1, pClPhe2, D-Trp3,6] GnRH which blocked the stimulatory effect of the agonist on oocyte maturation and ovulation had no effect on LH action. It is concluded that while a GnRH-like peptide does not seem to mediate LH action on the ovarian follicles, both LH and GnRH agonist share some common mechanistic pathways at a post-receptor locus.     

Stimulation and inhibition of Leydig cell steroidogenesis by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate: similarity to the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone

To explore the mechanism of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) action on Leydig cell steroidogenesis the effects of a GnRH analog (GnRHa) were compared to those of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Both compounds acutely stimulated androgen production 2-4 fold with EC50's of 9 nM (TPA) and 0.2 nM (GnRHa). The effects of TPA and GnRHa were not additive and neither compound acutely altered the luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration-response relationship. After 24 h of exposure to TPA or GnRHa the ability of LH to stimulate androgen production was impaired. The parallel effects of TPA and GnRHa on Leydig cell steroidogenesis suggest that they are acting via similar mechanisms; presumably the activation protein kinase C.