Long-term maintenance of growth hormone secretion in perifused rat anterior pituitary cells

We studied the effect of rat growth hormone-releasing factor-(1-43) acid, rGRF(1-43)OH, on the long-term secretion of rat growth hormone (rGH) in dispersed primary cultured cells of rat anterior pituitaries over a period of 7 days or longer. Results of the perifusion assay show that freshly dispersed cells secrete more rGH than 4-day-old redispersed cells (P less than 0.05), that a stabilization period ranging from 4 to 24 h allows a greater production of rGH per day than longer periods (P less than 0.05) and that the working concentrations of rGRF-(1-43)OH and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that insured the best responsiveness and longer viability are 50 pM and 10-1000 nM, respectively. Under these conditions, the cells continued secreting rGH after 42 days of perifusion, and 315 milligrams of rGH was produced over that period.     

Synthesis and secretion of phosphorylated growth hormone by rat pituitary glands in vitro

Rat anterior pituitary glands were incubated in buffered medium, pH 7.4, containing 32Pi. After incubation the tissue and medium were separated and a post-mitochondrial supernate (PMS) of the tissue homogenate was prepared. Gel filtration of the PMS and medium resulted in a radioactive peak which coincided with the elution volume of authentic rat growth hormone (rGH). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the radioactive peak under denaturing condition resulted in a protein-staining band having the same mobility as authentic rGH. Autoradiography of the gels revealed radioactivity precisely at the position of growth hormone as well as elsewhere. The specific radioactivity of the PMS [32P]GH was estimated to be 5 to 10 times greater than that of tissue [32P]GH. These results indicate that phosphorylated GH is synthesized and secreted by pituitary glands in vitro.     

Galanin stimulates rat pituitary growth hormone secretion in vitro

The effect of galanin on growth hormone (GH) secretion was investigated in monolayer cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. Galanin caused a gradual increase in GH concentrations into the culture medium that was maximal at 90 minutes and sustained after 180 minutes. The ED50 for galanin-stimulated GH secretion was approximately 200 nM compared to an ED50 for rat GH-releasing factor (rGRF)-stimulated GH secretion of 10pM. Galanin and rGRF were additive in increasing GH release into the incubation medium. These data indicate that porcine-derived galanin has a direct effect on pituitary GH secretion in vitro.     

GABAergic control of anterior pituitary hormone secretion

Anatomical and biochemical studies have identified a hypothalamic tubero-infundibular GABAergic system, which plays a functional role on anterior pituitary hormone secretion. Experimental and clinical evidence support the presence of a dual component in the action of GABA; one mediated via the central nervous system and the other exerted directly at the anterior pituitary level. The two sites of action may be responsible for the excitatory and inhibitory effects of GABA on pituitary hormone and especially prolactin secretion. The future characterization of this system will provide a better understanding of the involvement of GABA in the physiology of anterior pituitary hormone secretion and will contribute to the development of new pharmacological agents for the therapy of neuroendocrine disorders.     

Studies of anterior pituitary-grafted rats: II. Normal growth hormone secretion

Of the various animal models used to study chronic hyperprolactinemia, the otherwise intact rat implanted with extra anterior pituitary glands (AP) under the kidney capsule is assumed to be normal except for excess circulating prolactin (PRL). Since the ectopic glands contain numerous somatotropes in addition to abundant and active lactotropes, it was important to assess growth hormone (GH) secretion as well in this model of hyperprolactinemia. The structural and functional similarities of PRL and GH are such that it is necessary to demonstrate that metabolic abnormalities noted in AP-implanted rats are due to hyperprolactinemia and not to altered GH secretion. AP-implanted female rats have significantly higher resting serum PRL concentrations when compared to sham-operated control rats, but baseline serum GH levels are similar in normal and pituitary-grafted rats. Suppression of GH by insulin and clonidine is comparable in AP-implanted and control rats. The intrasellar pituitary GH concentration is also similar (ca. 20 μg/mg wet weight) in hyperprolactinemic and normal rats. We conclude that GH secretion is normal in the non-hypophysectomized AP-implanted rat, in contrast to the hypophysectomized AP-implanted rat model which has been reported to have diminished GH secretion. Despite the presence of recognizable somatotropes, the ectopic anterior pituitary does not appear to secrete significant amounts of GH, making the intact rat bearing multiple pituitary grafts an excellent model of chronic hyperprolactinemia.     

Effects of acute ovariectomy on anterior pituitary gland follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone secretion in the metestrous rat

Changes at the anterior pituitary gland level which result in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release after ovariectomy in metestrous rats were investigated. Experimental rats were ovariectomized at 0900 h of metestrus and decapitated at 1000, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 or 1900 h of metestrus. Controls consisted of untreated rats killed at 0900 or 1700 h and rats sham ovariectomized at 0900 h and killed at 1700 h. Trunk blood was collected and the serum assayed for FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. The anterior pituitary gland was bisected. One-half was used to assay for FSH concentration. The other half was placed in culture medium for a 30-min preincubation and then placed in fresh medium for a 2-h incubation (basal FSH and LH release rates). The basal FSH release rate and the serum FSH concentration rose significantly by 4 h postovariectomy and remained high for an additional 6 h. The basal FSH release rate and the serum FSH concentration correlated positively (r=0.71 with 72 degrees of freedom) and did not change between 0900 and 1700 h in untreated or sham-ovariectomized rats. In contrast, the serum LH concentration and the basal LH release rate did not increase after ovariectomy. Ovariectomy had no significant effect on anterior pituitary gland FSH concentration. The results suggest that the postovariectomy rise in serum FSH concentration is the result, at least in part, of changes which cause an increase in the basal FSH secretion rate (secretion independent of the immediate presence of any hormones of nonanterior pituitary gland origin). The similarities between the selective rises in the basal FSH release rate and the serum FSH concentration in the ovariectomized metestrous rat and in the cyclic rat during late proestrus and estrus raise the possibility that an increase in the basal FSH release rate may be involved in many or all situations in which serum FSH concentration rises independently of LH.     

5,6-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid stimulates growth hormone release in rat anterior pituitary cells

The effect of arachidonic acid and some of its metabolites have been examined in rat anterior pituitary cells for their ability to release growth hormone. The cytochrome P-450 metabolite, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid is a much more effective growth-hormone releasing agent than 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid methyl ester, 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid or arachidonic acid. The release of growth hormone is rapid, dose-dependent and reaches an apparent saturation after eight minutes. These studies described herein provide evidence that lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid are less potent while cytochrome P-450 products are more potent in the release of growth hormone from anterior pituitary cells.     

Nonpeptidyl somatostatin agonists demonstrate that sst2 and sst5 inhibit stimulated growth hormone secretion from rat anterior pituitary cells.

Somatostatin (SST) regulates growth hormone (GH) secretion from pituitary somatotrophs by interacting with members of the SST family of G-protein-coupled receptors (sst1-5). We have used potent, nonpeptidyl SST agonists with sst2 and sst5 selectivity to determine whether these receptor subtypes are involved in regulating growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulated secretion. GHRH stimulated GH release from pituitary cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this secretion was inhibited by Tyr(11)-SST-14, a nonselective SST analog. A sst2 selective agonist, L-779,976, potently inhibited GHRH-stimulated GH release. In addition, L-817, 818, a potent sst5 receptor selective agonist, also inhibited GH secretion, but was approximately 10-fold less potent (P < 0.01, ANOVA) in inhibiting GH release than either Tyr(11)-SST-14 or L-779, 976. These results show that both sst2 and sst5 receptor subtypes regulate GHRH-stimulated GH release from rat pituitary cells.     

In cow anterior pituitary, growth hormone and prolactin can be packed in separate granules of the same cell

The ultrastructural localization of growth hormone and prolactin in cow anterior pituitary was studied by double immunocytochemical labeling using specific antibodies and protein A-gold particles of different sizes. The two hormones were found in specific somatotrophs and mammotrophs as well as in somatomammotropic cells which were multinucleated and predominantly arranged in clusters in the central area of the lobules. In these mixed cells the two hormones were packaged (a) in different granules of the same cell, (b) in the same granules where they were segregated in different portions of the granule content, or (c) in the same granules but evenly intermixed. The relative proportion of these three types of granules varied in somatomammotrophs of different animals. A single large Golgi complex was generally present in somatomammotrophs. Small, immature granules containing either growth hormone or prolactin or both hormones were found randomly distributed along Golgi stacks. This suggests that in these cells the two hormones are processed in the same Golgi cisternae and that mechanism(s) exist(s) to sort out the two hormones from each other.     

Characterization of the stimulatory effect of galanin on growth hormone release from the rat anterior pituitary.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the direct actions of rat galanin (R-GAL) on growth hormone (GH) release from the rat anterior pituitary in vitro. R-GAL modestly but significantly stimulated GH release without an increase in intra- and extracellular cyclic AMP levels in monolayer cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. This stimulatory effect of R-GAL was dose-dependent but not additive with that of GH-releasing factor (GRF). R-GAL-stimulated GH release was less sensitive to the inhibitory effect of somatostatin than was GRF-stimulated GH release. In perfusions of rat anterior pituitary fragments, R-GAL induced a gradual and sustained increase of GH release. Incremental GH release derived in part from preformed stored GH. These data confirm that R-GAL acts at the pituitary level to stimulate GH release by a mechanism distinct from that of GRF.     

Biosynthesis of growth hormone in the rat anterior pituitary gland. Stimulation of biosynthesis in vitro by insulin

The effect of insulin on the incorporation of radioactive leucine into growth hormone was investigated by using rat anterior pituitary glands incubated in vitro. A 50% stimulation over control values was observed at insulin concentrations above 2μm (280munits/ml). The effect was specific for growth hormone biosynthesis, over the range 1–5μm-insulin (140–700munits/ml). Lower more physiological concentrations had no significant effect in this system. Above 10μm (1.4 units/ml) total protein synthesis was also increased. The stimulation of growth hormone synthesis could be partially blocked by the addition of actinomycin D, suggesting that RNA synthesis was involved. Insulin was found to stimulate the rate of glucose utilization in a similar way to growth hormone synthesis. 2-Deoxyglucose and phloridzin, which both prevented insulin from stimulating glucose utilization, also prevented the effect of insulin on growth hormone synthesis. If glucose was replaced by fructose in the medium, the effect of insulin on growth hormone synthesis was decreased. We conclude that the rate of utilization of glucose may be an important step in mediating the effect of insulin on growth hormone synthesis.     

Role of central epinephrine in regulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion

Hypothalamic regulation of anterior pituitary hormones is thought to be mediated by the release of stimulatory and/or inhibitory peptides that are, in turn, regulated by catecholaminergic neurons. The recent development of selective epinephrine (EPI) synthesis inhibitors has made it possible to disrupt central EPI neurotransmission without affecting norepinephrine or dopamine. These compounds were used in the present investigation to assess the involvement of brain EPI systems in regulation of GH, LH, and prolactin (PRL) in male and ovariectomized female rats. Inhibition of central EPI synthesis (1) inhibited episodic and morphine-, but not clonidine-induced GH release, and (2) blocked the LH surge induced by estrogen and progesterone, but did not affect episodic LH release in hormonally untreated rats. Inhibition of peripheral (adrenal) EPI synthesis had no effect on these hormones. Results of these studies suggest an excitatory role for EPI in regulation of GH and LH secretion, mediated by stimulation of GH-releasing hormone and LHRH, respectively. EPI does not appear to have a major function in regulation of PRL secretion.     

Kisspeptin-10 stimulates the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin directly from cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells

Kisspeptins are peptide hormones encoded by the KiSS-1 gene, and act as the principal positive regulator of the reproductive axis by directly stimulating gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron activity. We recently observed that kisspeptin-10 (the minimal kisspeptin sequence necessary for receptor activation) also has a direct stimulating effect on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells. In the present study, we evaluated the direct effect of kisspeptin-10 on the secretion of other pituitary hormones, growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), from bovine AP cells. The AP cells, which were prepared from 1- or 8-month-old male calves, were incubated for 2h with the peptides. Kisspeptin-10 at 100 nM (P<0.05), 1000 nM (P<0.01) and 10,000 nM (P<0.01), but not at 10 nM, significantly stimulated GH secretion from the AP cells of 1-month-old calves, while in 8-month-old calves it was significantly (P<0.05) stimulated at 1000 nM (P<0.01) and 10,000 nM (P<0.01), but not at 10nM and 100 nM. The response of GH to 100 nM (P<0.01), 1000 nM (P<0.05) and 10,000 nM (P<0.01) kisspeptin-10 in the AP cells of 1-month-old calves was significantly greater than in those of 8-month-old calves. All tested doses of kisspeptin-10 had no effect on PRL secretion from AP cells of 1-month-old calves. However, 1000 nM (P<0.05) and 10,000 nM (P<0.01), but not lower concentrations, of kisspeptin-10 significantly stimulated PRL secretion from the AP cells of 8-month-old calves. The present study is, as far as we know, the first to examine the direct actions of kisspeptin on the secretion of GH and PRL from the bovine pituitary gland. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of multiple actions of kisspeptin on the pituitary of various animals in vivo.     

Further characterization of the peptidyl alpha-amidating enzyme in rat anterior pituitary secretory granules

In previous studies we have demonstrated a secretory granule-associated peptide alpha-amidation activity in rat anterior, intermediate, and posterior pituitary. This activity is capable of converting 125I-labeled synthetic D-Tyr-Val-Gly to labeled D-Tyr-Val-NH2, and requires ascorbic acid, CuSO4, and molecular oxygen for optimal activity. Because of the requirement for peptides with COOH-terminal glycine residues, and cofactor requirements similar to monooxygenases such as dopamine beta-monooxygenase, we have proposed that the alpha-amidating enzyme be named peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase, or PAM. The present study focused on (i) verifying that PAM could utilize a physiologically relevant peptide substrate, and (ii) demonstrating the retention of the cofactor requirements with purification of PAM. PAM (Mr = 50,000) was partially purified from rat anterior pituitary secretory granules and was shown to be capable of converting alpha-N-acetyl-ACTH(1-14) to alpha-N-acetyl-ACTH(1-13)NH2 (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone) and ACTH(9-14) to ACTH(9-13)NH2. The optimal rates for these conversions were dependent on ascorbic acid and CuSO4. Kinetic analyses, using the model compound D-Tyr-Val-Gly as the peptide substrate, demonstrated that, compared to the crude granule extract, the partially purified enzyme displayed increased apparent affinities for both the peptide substrate and ascorbate. These analyses also showed that the Km for D-Tyr-Val-Gly was dependent on the concentration of ascorbate, while the Km for ascorbate was constant over a wide range of D-Tyr-Val-Gly concentrations. The results presented here indicate that PAM can alpha-amidate physiologically relevant peptides related to alpha MSH, and performs the reaction in an ascorbate-dependent fashion. Retention of the ascorbate and copper requirements with purification further support the hypothesis that these cofactors are important requirements for the COOH-terminal alpha-amidation of neuro and endocrine peptides.