calcimycin and Pituitary-Neoplasms

The metalloendopeptidase EP24.15 (EC3.4.24.15) is a neuropeptide-metabolizing enzyme present in neural and endocrine tissues, presumably functioning extracellularly. Because the majority of the EP24.15 activity is identified in the soluble fraction of cellular homogenates, suggesting that the enzyme is primarily an intracellular protein, we addressed the issue of how EP24.15 arrives in the extracellular environment. We utilized a model system of neuroendocrine secretion, the AtT20 cell. According to both enzymatic activity and immunologic assays, EP24.15 was synthesized in and released from AtT20 cells. Under basal conditions and after stimulation by corticotropin-releasing hormone or the calcium ionophore A23187, EP24.15 activity accumulated in the culture medium. This secretion was not attributable to cell damage, as judged by the absence of release of cytosolic enzyme markers and the ability to exclude trypan blue dye. Pulse-chase analysis and subcellular fractionation of AtT20 cell extracts suggested that the mechanism of EP24.15 secretion is not solely via classical secretory pathways. Additionally, drugs which disrupt the classical secretory pathway, such as Brefeldin A and nocodazole, blocked A23187-stimulated EP24.15 release yet had no effect on basal EP24.15 release, suggesting differences in the basal and stimulated pathways of secretion for EP24.15. In summary, EP24.15 appears to be secreted from AtT20 pituitary cells into the extracellular milieu, where the enzyme can participate in the physiologic metabolism of neuropeptides.

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Brefeldin A; Calcimycin; Calcium; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Culture Media, Conditioned; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Golgi Apparatus; Ionophores; Male; Metalloendopeptidases; Mice; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Nocodazole; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rabbits; Rats; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Secretory Rate; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To investigate the disturbance in the function of SRIF receptor, Gi protein and Ca2+ channel in hGH adenoma cells and to evaluate their significance in the pathogenesis of pituitary hGH adenomas.. All 25 patients with pituitary hGH adenoma who were involved in this study had typical acromegalic manifestation and high fasting serum hGH levels of > 5.0 micrograms/L which were not suppressed to < 3.0 micrograms/L by oral glucose tolerance test. The pituitary hGH adenoma tissue obtained from transphenoidal operation was digested by collagenase and the dispersed adenoma cells were cultured in the monolayer. The effects of octreotide (SMS), a long-acting agonist of somatostatin, on hGH secretion and intracellular cAMP level were observed and the influences of pertussis toxin (PT), an inhibitor of Gi protein, and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or KCl on the inhibitory action of octreotide on hGH secretion were also investigated in the cultured pituitary hGH adenoma cells.. A total of 16.0% (4/25) of cultured pituitary hGH adenomas did not respond to octreotide (100 nmol). The inhibitory effect of octreotide on hGH secretion was not blocked by PT (50 ng/ml) and A23187 (10 mumol) or KCl (22.5 nmol) in 31.6% (6/19) and 35% (7/20) of hGH adenomas, respectively. The effects of octreotide on hGH secretion and intracellular cAMP levels were studied in 10 cultured hGH adenomas. Octreotide suppressed both hGH secretion and cAMP levels in 5 cases; inhibited only hGH secretion or the cAMP level in 3 cases and 1 case respectively; and affected neither hGH secretion nor cAMP level in the last case.. There were abnormalities in the SRIF receptor and/or postreceptor signal transduction in 16.0% of hGH adenomas which did not respond to octreotide. The defects in Gi and/or Ca2+ channels were found in 52.4% (11/21) of hGH adenomas which had responded to octreotide. These defects might induce diminution of the inhibitory action of SRIF on hGH secretion and might be the causes of hypersecretion in some pituitary hGH adenomas.

Topics: Adenoma; Calcimycin; Growth Hormone; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; Hormones; Humans; Ionophores; Octreotide; Pertussis Toxin; Pituitary Neoplasms; Receptors, Somatostatin; Signal Transduction; Somatostatin; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Virulence Factors, Bordetella

The divalent cation selective ionophores A23187 and ionomycin were compared for their effects on the Ca2+ contents, nucleotide contents, and protein synthetic rates of several types of cultured cells. Both ionophores reduced amino acid incorporation by approximately 85% at low concentrations (50-300 nmol/L) in cultured mammalian cells without reducing ATP or GTP contents. At these concentrations A23187 and ionomycin each promoted substantial Ca2+ efflux, whereas at higher concentrations a large influx of the cation was observed. Ca2+ influx occurred at lower ionophore concentrations and to greater extents in C6 glioma and P3X63Ag8 myeloma than in GH3 pituitary cells. The ATP and GTP contents of the cells and their ability to adhere to growth surfaces declined sharply at ionophore concentrations producing increased Ca2+ influx. Prominent reductions of nucleotide contents occurred in EGTA-containing media that were further accentuated by extracellular Ca2+. Ionomycin produced more Ca2+ influx and nucleotide decline than comparable concentrations of A23187. The inhibition of amino acid incorporation and mobilization of cell-associated Ca2+ by ionomycin were readily reversed in GH3 cells by fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin, whereas the effects of A23187 were only partially reversed. Amino acid incorporation was further suppressed by ionophore concentrations depleting nucleotide contents. Mitochondrial uncouplers potentiated Ca2+ accumulation in response to both ionophores. At cytotoxic concentrations Lubrol PX abolished protein synthesis but did not cause Ca2+ influx. Nucleotide depletion at high ionophore concentrations is proposed to result from increased plasmalemmal Ca2+-ATPase activity and dissipation of mitochondrial proton gradients and to cause intracellular Ca2+ accumulation. Increased Ca2+ contents in response to Ca2+ ionophores are proposed as an indicator of ionophore-induced cytotoxicity.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Animals; Blood Proteins; Calcimycin; Calcium; Detergents; Guanosine Triphosphate; Ionophores; Mice; Mitochondria; Nucleotides; Pituitary Neoplasms; Polidocanol; Polyethylene Glycols; Protein Biosynthesis; Sclerosing Solutions; Serum Albumin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Effects of Ca2+ channel blockers (nicardipin and nifedipin) and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 on the basal secretion and on the secretion stimulated by GRH or inhibited by SMS, a SRIF analogne of GH were investigated in monolayer cell cultures of 23 cases of human pituitary GH-secreting adenomas. The roles of GRH and SMS in 45Ca influx were investigated also. The GH secretion of most GH adenomas was depended on Ca2+, but the abnormality in different link of GH secretion mediated by Ca2+ was observed. The defects of receptor and post-receptor including Ca2+ channel and Ca(2+)-GH secretion couple regulated by GRH and SRIF were found in 66.7% and 55.6% of GH adenomas respectively. These abnormalities may contribute to GH hypersecretion in GH adenomas.

Topics: Adenoma; Biological Transport, Active; Calcimycin; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Growth Hormone; Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Ionophores; Nicardipine; Nifedipine; Octreotide; Pituitary Neoplasms; Somatostatin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Perturbants of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), including Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents, provoke a rapid suppression of translational initiation in conjunction with an increased phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2. Depletion of ER Ca2+ stores was found to signal the activation of a specific eIF-2 alpha kinase. Analysis of extracts derived from cultured cells that had been pretreated with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin revealed a 2-3-fold increase in eIF-2 alpha kinase activity without detectable changes in eIF-2 alpha phosphatase activity. A peptide of 65-68 kDa, which was phosphorylated concurrently with eIF-2 alpha in extracts of pretreated cells, was identified as the interferon-inducible, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-regulated protein kinase (PKR). Depletion of ER Ca2+ stores did not alter the PKR contents of extracts. When incubated with reovirus dsRNA, extracts derived from cells with depleted ER Ca2+ stores displayed greater degrees of phosphorylation of PKR and of eIF-2 alpha than did control extracts. The enhanced dsRNA-dependent phosphorylation of PKR was observed regardless of prior induction of the kinase with interferon. Lower concentrations of dsRNA were required for maximal phosphorylation of PKR in extracts of treated as compared to control preparations. These findings suggest that PKR mediates the translational suppression occurring in response to perturbation of ER Ca2+ homeostasis.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Egtazic Acid; eIF-2 Kinase; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Enzyme Activation; HeLa Cells; Humans; Kinetics; Mice; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Pituitary Neoplasms; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Rats; RNA, Double-Stranded; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effect of increasing intracellular free calcium and activating protein kinase C on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression was investigated in AtT-20 cells, a mouse corticotrope tumor cell line. Treatment of AtT-20 cells with the calcium ionophore A23187 induced a rapid time- and dose-dependent decrease in [3H]dexamethasone ([3H]DEX) binding when measured in intact cells. Binding fell to 16% of control following 3 h of treatment with 10 microM A23187. In contrast, A23187 did not acutely effect steady state levels of GR mRNA, although levels fell to 76 +/- 1% of control after 8-15 h of treatment. Scatchard analysis of A23187 treated cultures demonstrated a decrease in GR binding capacity but no change in affinity for [3H]DEX. Acute inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide had no effect on [3H]DEX binding, suggesting that the calcium-dependent decrease was not simply due to inhibition of GR protein synthesis. In contrast to the A23187 induced decrease in [3H]DEX binding in intact cells, when binding was measured in cytosol extract from A23187 treated cultures there was no decrease. These data suggest that the A23187 induced decrease in GR binding in whole cells is not due to a decrease in GR protein but reversible conversion of the receptor to a non-binding form. Inducing calcium influx only through L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels with BAY K8644 also decreased [3H]DEX binding at AtT-20 cells, though the effect was less than that induced by A23187. Although activation of protein kinase C with phorbol ester transiently increases intracellular free calcium in AtT-20 cells, when cells were treated for 0.5 to 22 h with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, there was no acute fall in [3H]DEX binding, and only a small decrease following 16 h of treatment. These data demonstrate that sustained increases in intracellular calcium in corticotropes can induce a rapid and marked decrease in GR binding. The mechanism is post-translational and involves the reversible conversion of the receptor to a non-binding form. In addition, the cellular milieu is clearly important in conferring non-binding status on GR since once the cell is disrupted GR binding is restored.

Topics: 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cycloheximide; Dexamethasone; Enzyme Activation; Kinetics; Mice; Pituitary Neoplasms; Protein Kinase C; Receptors, Glucocorticoid; RNA, Messenger; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcineurin; Calcium; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; Cell Line; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Cyclic AMP; Cyclosporine; Dexamethasone; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Egtazic Acid; Feedback; Mice; Nimodipine; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Tacrolimus; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To gain insight into the mechanisms governing protein sorting, we have developed a system that reconstitutes both the formation of immature secretory granules and their fusion with the plasma membrane. Semi-intact PC12 cells were incubated with ATP and cytosol for 15 min to allow immature granules to form, and then in a buffer containing 30 microM [Ca2+]free to induce exocytosis. Transport via the regulated pathway, as assayed by the release of secretogranin II (SgII) labeled in the TGN, was inhibited by depletion of ATP, or by the inclusion of 100 microM GTP gamma S, 50 microM AlF3-5 or 5 micrograms/ml BFA. When added after immature granules had formed, GTP gamma S stimulated rather than inhibited exocytosis. Thus, exocytosis of immature granules in this system resembles the characteristics of fully matured granules. Transport of SgII via the regulated pathway occurred at a fourfold higher efficiency than glycosaminoglycan chains, indicating that SgII is sorted to some extent upon exit from the TGN. Addition of A23187 to release Ca2+ from the TGN had no significant effect on sorting of SgII into immature granules. In contrast, depletion of lumenal calcium inhibited the endoproteolytic cleavage of POMC and proinsulin. These results establish the importance of intra-cisternal Ca2+ in prohormone processing, but raise the question whether lumenal calcium is required for proper sorting of SgII into immature granules. Disruption of organelle pH gradients with an ionophore or a weak base resulted in the inhibition of transport via both the constitutive and the regulated pathways.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphate; Ammonium Chloride; Animals; Brefeldin A; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Membrane; Chromogranins; Cyclopentanes; Cytosol; Exocytosis; Golgi Apparatus; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Membrane Fusion; Nigericin; Organelles; PC12 Cells; Pituitary Neoplasms; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; Proteins; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Thymosin fraction five (TF5), a well-characterized immunoregulatory thymic preparation, has been reported to stimulate corticotropin (ACTH) release from rat pituitary cells. Since a previous study in our laboratory had shown that TF5 was able to stimulate ACTH release from corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-insensitive corticotropic tumor cells, it was of interest to assess the role of calcium in the mechanism of action of TF5 on corticotropic cells. A CRH-insensitive variant, denoted AtT-20(CI), of the wild-type corticotropic tumor cell line AtT-20 was used. Synthetic h/rCRH within a dose range of 0.1-100 nM was completely ineffective to stimulate basal ACTH release from AtT-20(CI) cells, although the same batch of neuropeptide displayed the expected ACTH-releasing activity on dispersed rat pituitary cells (for instance, 0.1 nM CRH induced a 3.7-fold increase in ACTH release in this cell system). Median eminence extracts (1/10) induced only a 12% increase in ACTH release from AtT-20(CI) cells as compared to the 395% stimulation induced in normal pituitary cells. As expected, TF5 induced a dose-dependent increase in ACTH release from AtT-20(CI) cells. However, this ACTH-releasing activity of TF5 was completely abolished when cells were incubated in Ca-free medium or Ca-free medium containing 0.5 mM EGTA. On the other hand, the presence of the Ca ionophore A23187 (5 microM) in medium containing normal Ca levels (2.5 mM) did not affect the ACTH-releasing activity of TF5 on AtT-20(CI) cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Egtazic Acid; Median Eminence; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rats; Thymosin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Agents that mobilize sequestered intracellular Ca2+, including ionophore A23187, EGTA, thapsigargin, and Cbz-Gly-Phe-NH2 (where Cbz is benzyloxycarbonyl), or mild reducing agents, such as dithiothreitol, disrupt early protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), inhibit translational initiation, and trigger the induction of GRP78, an ER resident protein. Inhibition of translational initiation in response to acute treatment (15-30 min) of intact GH3 pituitary cells with each of these agents was accompanied by an average 5-fold increase in the amount of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2 alpha and a 50% reduction in eIF-2B activity. With continued exposure to A23187 (3 h) rates of amino acid incorporation partially recovered, eIF-2 alpha became dephosphorylated, and the inhibition of eIF-2B activity was abolished. These chronic effects were blocked by actinomycin D. Accumulating evidence that the ER may regulate rates of translational initiation through a signaling system altering the activity of eIF-2 is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Carrier Proteins; Cell Line; Egtazic Acid; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; Heat-Shock Proteins; Molecular Chaperones; Phosphorylation; Pituitary Neoplasms; Protein Biosynthesis; Proteins; Terpenes; Thapsigargin

We studied a chloride (Cl-) conductance activated by calcium (Ca2+) in normal rat lactotrophs and compared its activation during TRH stimulation in normal rat lactotrophs and in GH3 tumoral lactosomatotrophs cells, using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. The Cl- specificity of the conductance was assessed by manipulation of internal and external Cl- concentrations. The reversal potentials were in agreement with those predicted by the Nernst equation. Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and membrane depolarizations activated the Cl- conductance. However, a feedback effect of Cl- gradient modifications on Ca2+ movements was also observed in normal lactotrophs. In the latter, TRH (100 nM) mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ activated this Cl- conductance together with the potassium (K+) conductance when both ions were present in the intracellular medium (IM) or alone when K+ was absent. Chloride conductance was not activated in the GH3 cells, where mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by TRH (100 nM) activated only Ca2(+)-dependent K+ conductance. It seems likely that the activation of Cl- conductance in these two different cell types involves different mechanisms.

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cells, Cultured; Chlorides; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Membrane Potentials; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Potassium; Rats; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Effect of activin A on growth hormone secretion was studied in primary culture of 8 human GH-secreting adenomas, which were responsive to TRH in vivo. When studied in vitro, basal GH secretion was reduced in all cases when cells were pre-incubated for 48 h with activin A at a concentration of 5 X 10(-9) mol/l or greater. Pretreatment of GH-secreting cells with 1 X 10(-9) mol/l activin A did not affect either basal secretion or cellular content of GH. These tumour cells also responded to TRH in vitro and the GH response to TRH was completely blocked in cells pretreated with activin A. Activin A slightly reduced the increase in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration induced by TRH. Furthermore, pretreatment of the cells with activin A attenuated GH secretion induced by A23187 or 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-4-acetate, agents which bypass receptor-mediated generation of second messengers. These results indicate that activin A inhibits GH secretion by directly acting on human GH-secreting cells and that activin A inhibits the action of TRH by acting on multiple steps in the messenger system.

Topics: Activins; Adult; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cytoplasm; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Growth Hormone; Humans; Inhibins; Male; Middle Aged; Pituitary Neoplasms; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Ca2+ has been recently reported to be required for high rates of translational initiation in GH3 pituitary cells (Chin, K.-V., Cade, C., Brostrom, C.O., Galuska, E.M., and Brostrom, M.A. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 16509-16514). In the present investigation low concentrations of the Ca2+ ionophores, A23187 and ionomycin, were found to rapidly suppress the Ca2+-dependent component of protein synthesis in GH3 cells. More ionophore was required to inhibit amino acid incorporation into protein as extracellular Ca2+ was increased. Pre-existing inhibitions of protein synthesis produced by low concentrations of ionophore at low extracellular Ca2+ concentrations were reversed by adjustment to high extracellular Ca2+. Treatment with ionophore reduced the cellular contents of polysomes and 43 S preinitiation complex to values equivalent to those found for Ca2+-depleted cells. Average ribosomal transit times were unaffected by ionophore, and treated cells retained the ability to accumulate polysomes when incubated with cycloheximide. Cell types, such as HeLa and Chinese hamster ovary, that normally display only a modest Ca2+-dependent component of protein synthesis, manifested a strong underlying Ca2+ dependence in amino acid incorporation and polysome formation following treatment with low concentrations of ionophore. Protein synthesis in GH3 or HeLa cells during recovery from heat shock and arsenite treatment was not affected by cellular Ca2+ depletion or ionophore treatment. On the basis of these results, Ca2+ ionophore is proposed to inhibit Ca2+-dependent translational initiation through facilitating the mobilization of sequestered intracellular Ca2+.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Cells; Ethers; Eukaryotic Cells; HeLa Cells; Humans; Ionomycin; Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Polyribosomes; Protein Biosynthesis

The degree of phosphorylation of ribosome-associated proteins of intact GH3 pituitary tumor cells before and after Ca2+ depletion was examined. A 26-kDa ribosome-associated protein was found to dephosphorylate upon Ca2+ depletion of the cells and to re-phosphorylate upon restoration of the cation. This protein was distinct from eukaryotic initiation factor 4E on the basis of subcellular distribution, antigenicity, and susceptibility to dephosphorylation in Ca2+-depleted cells. Temporal correlation was observed between the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation state of the 26-kDa protein, and the stimulation/inhibition of protein synthesis by Ca2+ repletion/depletion. Phosphorylation of the 26-kDa protein was rapidly abolished in Ca2+-repleted cells by the ionophore, A23187, which elevates cytosolic Ca2+ while reducing sequestered cation. Dephosphorylation of the protein and inhibition of protein synthesis occurred at comparable times after addition of ionophore. The novelty of a Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation supported by sequestered rather than cytosolic free Ca2+ is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4F; Isoelectric Point; Molecular Weight; Peptide Initiation Factors; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Ribosomal Proteins

Previous studies have demonstrated that the high basal level of transcription of the rat PRL gene in pituitary tumor GH3 cells is dependent on [CA2+]e. In the present study, we have extended these findings by examining the effects of the Ca2+ ionophores, A23187 and ionomycin, on [Ca2+]i, and on PRL mRNA levels and glucose-regulated protein (GRP) mRNA levels in GH3 cells cultured in a low Ca2+, serum-free medium (SFM). Using digital imaging microscopy of individual Fura 2-loaded GH3 cells in SFM plus 0.4 mM CaCl2, extranuclear and nuclear [Ca2+] were both about 70 nM. Addition of 600 nM ionomycin increased these levels by 10-fold within minutes, and by about 45-fold after 120 min. As previously published, addition of 0.4 mM CaCl2 to GH3 cells cultured in SFM significantly increased PRL mRNA, and had little or no effect on GRP78 and GRP94 mRNA after 16 h. Addition of 0.4 mM CaCl2 plus 100 nM A23187 significantly increased GRP78 and GRP94 mRNA. Surprisingly, the Ca2+ ionophore significantly inhibited PRL gene expression below that obtained in 0.4 mM CaCl2 without A23187. This same pattern of stimulation of GRP78 gene expression, but inhibition of PRL gene expression, was observed with 125 and 600 nM ionomycin. Both Ca2+ ionophores had no effect on histone 3 mRNA, and A23187 depressed PRL gene expression at a concentration (50 nM) that did not affect protein synthesis. Although A23187 reproducibly lowered PRL mRNA levels, it slightly inhibited its degradation in cells in which RNA synthesis was blocked by actinomycin D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Calcium Chloride; Carrier Proteins; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Extracellular Space; Gene Expression Regulation; Heat-Shock Proteins; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; Ionomycin; Membrane Proteins; Molecular Chaperones; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Prolactin (PRL)-secreting GH3 cells were grown, in vitro, with the creatine analogue beta-guanidinopropionic acid (GPA) added to the culture medium. After 5 days there was a small increase in basal and greatly increased thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated PRL secretion. The site of action of GPA is at the TRH-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, since increased amounts of mono, bis and tris/tetrakis inositol phosphates were found in treated cells, while the PRL secretion induced by a phorbol ester or a calcium ionophore, treatments which mimic the second messages generated by inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, were not enhanced by GPA. The mechanism by which GPA increases phospholipase C activity has not been fully elucidated but may involve the activity of a controlling G protein.

Topics: Aminoquinolines; Animals; Calcimycin; Creatine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Guanidines; Hydrolysis; Inositol Phosphates; Lactates; Lithium; Phosphatidylinositols; Phosphocreatine; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Propionates; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Thyroliberin (TRH), dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP), and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (MIX) had a stimulatory effect on prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) release from GH3 cells. Half-maximal and maximal effects were observed for TRH at 2.5 nM and 10 nM; for db-cAMP at 0.6 mM and 5 mM, respectively. MIX (0.1 mM-1 mM) induced a dose-dependent accumulation of cellular cyclic AMP, while the hormone release was already maximally stimulated at 0.1 mM MIX. The maximal effects on hormone release of TRH and db-cAMP, but not of TRH and MIX, were additive. The Ca2+ channel blockers Co2+ (5 mM) and verapamil (100 microM) and the Ca2+ chelator EGTA (4 mM) abolished the stimulatory effect of TRH (1 microM) on hormone release. Co2+ and verapamil, but not EGTA, inhibited the stimulatory effect of db-cAMP (5 mM) on hormone release. The inhibitory effects of Co2+ and verapamil on GH release were counteracted by the combination of TRH and db-cAMP. For PRL release Co2+, but not verapamil, was able to inhibit the combined action of TRH and db-cAMP. Co2+, verapamil, and EGTA eliminated the stimulatory effect of MIX (1 mM) on PRL release while only Co2+ and EGTA affected the GH release. Hormone release in the presence of MIX plus verapamil or EGTA, but not Co2+, was increased by TRH. The calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine (TFP) at 30 microM inhibited basal hormone release and hormone release stimulated by TRH (1 microM), db-cAMP (5 mM), and MIX (1 mM). The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (5 microM) had a stimulatory effect on basal hormone release which was abolished by 30 microM TFP.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Animals; Bucladesine; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Cobalt; Cyclic AMP; Egtazic Acid; Extracellular Space; Growth Hormone; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Trifluoperazine; Verapamil

We purified lactotrophs from pituitary tumors induced by estrogen in ovariectomized female Fischer 344 rats from 80% of the population before to more than 90% after purification through a continuous Percoll density gradient. The percentage of lactotrophs was evaluated by immunofluorescence. The patterns of PRL release stimulated by 100 nM TRH, 20 microM A23187 (a Ca++ ionophore), 50 nM 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (a C-kinase activator), or combinations of these agents, or inhibited by 10 microM dopamine were similar in perifused primary cultures of tumor lactotrophs to patterns in cultures of anterior pituitary cells from female retired breeders used previously. In particular, dopamine completely inhibited the release stimulated by forskolin. Intracellular cAMP concentrations and PRL accumulation in the medium were measured in monolayer cultures of purified tumor lactotrophs. In 9 separate experiments, forskolin (10 microM) increased intracellular cAMP concentrations more than 60-fold above control after 30 min of incubation. Preincubation (30 min) with dopamine (10 microM) reduced the cAMP accumulation caused by forskolin, but levels were still at least 20-fold above basal levels in most experiments. PRL release was stimulated 2-fold with forskolin alone, but there was no stimulation of PRL release by forskolin in the presence of dopamine even though cAMP levels were elevated above basal. Therefore, a decrease in cAMP levels is not necessary to inhibit PRL release, and dopamine must have a mechanism for inhibiting PRL release in addition to inhibiting adenylate cyclase.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Dopamine; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

The regulation of T4 5'-deiodinase activity was studied in cultured GH4C1 cells. Enzyme activity was measured in cell sonicates as the release of radioiodide from [125I]T4. Enzyme activity was stimulated 2- to 3-fold by hypothyroid serum and activators of protein kinase C, such as TRH and phorbol esters. The hypothyroid serum effect was maximal by 3 h, whereas TRH and phorbol esters required 6 h to achieve a maximal effect. The hypothyroid serum effect was gone within 4 h of returning the cells to control medium. In contrast, the TRH and phorbol ester effects persisted 24-48 h after removal of those agents. Both T4 and rT3 were at least as potent as T3 in blocking the effect of hypothyroid serum. The stimulation of 5'-deiodinase induced by hypothyroid serum was additive with that induced by kinase C activators. Trifluoperazine blocked the effect of TRH and phorbol esters, but not that of hypothyroid serum. It is concluded that stimulation of 5'-deiodinase activity can occur by at least two independent mechanisms: one involving hypothyroidism and another involving activation of protein kinase C. The relative potencies of various iodothyronines for abolishing the hypothyroid effect differ markedly from the relative binding affinities of these agents for the nuclear T3 receptor, suggesting that this thyroid hormone effect may not be mediated by the classical nuclear thyroid hormone receptor.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Line; Colforsin; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Activation; Hypothyroidism; Iodide Peroxidase; Phorbol Esters; Pituitary Neoplasms; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyroid Hormones; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Thyroxine; Trifluoperazine; Triiodothyronine; Triiodothyronine, Reverse

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

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cell Line; Female; Gallopamil; Ion Channels; Marine Toxins; Oxocins; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Reserpine

In an attempt to delineate the mechanism(s) of PRL secretion from human lactotrophs, the effects of dopamine and somatostatin on PRL release from adenomatous and nonadenomatous human pituitary cells in culture was studied. High K+ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187 both elevated PRL secretion, which was blocked by dopamine and somatostatin. When the cells were incubated in low calcium medium, PRL secretion was significantly inhibited. The addition of dopamine or somatostatin to low calcium medium further decreased PRL release. The stimulatory action of ionophore A23187 on PRL release was found even in the absence of extracellular calcium. Theophylline and isobutylmethylxanthine, when added to the incubation medium, increased PRL secretion, and dopamine as well as somatostatin again inhibited PRL release induced by phosphodiesterase inhibitors. No qualitative difference in these PRL responses was found in adenomatous and nonadenomatous human lactotrophs. In prolactinoma cells obtained from three different patients, cAMP generation was correlated with hormone release. Exposure of the cells to dopamine or somatostatin resulted in a parallel decrease in intracellular cAMP content and PRL secretion. The inhibitory effect of dopamine on PRL secretion and cAMP accumulation was blocked by coincubation of the cells with haloperidol. These results suggest that an increase in cytosol calcium caused by either mobilization from intracellular calcium pools or influx from the extracellular compartment and intracellular cAMP accumulation may be involved in the mechanism of PRL secretion from human lactotrophs, and dopamine and somatostatin may influence these two messengers to suppress PRL secretion.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Adenoma; Adolescent; Adult; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic AMP; Dopamine; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Potassium; Prolactin; Radioimmunoassay; Somatostatin; Theophylline

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) induces biphasic membrane potential changes, a transient hyperpolarization followed by a prolonged enhancement of the generation of action potentials in the clonal GH3 pituitary cell. The nature of the TRH-induced hyperpolarization was studied in Cl--free solutions. Among various test substances, only TRH and its analogue, which stimulates the release of prolactin from the GH3 cells, were capable of inducing the transient membrane hyperpolarization. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 also caused a transient hyperpolarization accompanied by an increase in the membrane conductance, although it failed to mimic the late facilitation of spike generation. The reversal potential of the TRH-induced hyperpolarization was identical with that induced by A23187. Reduction of the K+ concentration of the bathing medium caused a similar shift of both these reversal potentials toward a more hyperpolarized level. Injection of the Ca2+-chelator EGTA into the cell suppressed both TRH and Ca2+ ionophore-induced hyperpolarizations. These results suggest that TRH mobilizes the cellular-bound Ca, which in turn activates Ca2+-mediated K+ channels, thus causing the transient membrane hyperpolarization. The relationship between the membrane hyperpolarization and the TRH-stimulated hormone release is discussed.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Egtazic Acid; Membrane Potentials; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rats; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

The rat pituitary tumor 7315a secretes PRL and ACTH. Although dopamine has no effect on unstimulated PRL release from this tumor, dopamine decreases the adenylate cyclase activity in tumor cell homogenates in a manner similar to that in normal pituitary tissue. However, it was observed that under basal conditions, 7315a tumor cells have an abnormal calcium metabolism because 1) basal PRL release from tumor cells is not modified by the calcium channel blocker D-600 and is only moderately decreased by low calcium, treatments that markedly decrease normal pituitary PRL release; 2) D-600 had no effect on basal 7315a tumor calcium uptake, but blocked the increase in calcium uptake due to the calcium channel activator maitotoxin; 3) increasing the medium Ca+2 concentration above 5 mM increases 7315a PRL release, whereas this treatment decreases PRL release from normal pituitary cells. Maitotoxin and the calcium ionophore A23187 increased 7315a tumor cell PRL release in a manner similar to that in normal pituitary cells. Because dopamine blocks PRL release induced by maitotoxin, A23187, or elevated medium calcium concentration in 7315a tumor cells, the refractoriness of basal 7315a tumor cell PRL release to dopamine may be due to the abnormal calcium balance of the tumor cells under basal conditions.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Dopamine; Female; Gallopamil; Marine Toxins; Neoplasm Transplantation; Oxocins; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

The effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, an activator of C-kinase), the cation ionophore A23187, forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on prolactin release from anterior pituitary cells in primary culture were investigated and compared to the effects of these same agents on prolactin release from GH4C1 cells. In both GH4C1 cells and primary pituitary cultures, 100 nM TRH increased prolactin release 3- to 5-fold within 4 min after the stimulation started. This peak response was followed by a fall to a sustained increased rate of release approximately 1.5-fold above the basal rate. The decline after the early peak was slower in primary cultures than in GH4C1 cells. Addition of 20 microM A23187 to primary cultures caused a rapid 2- to 4-fold increase in release that fell to basal values within 12 min after the stimulation started. In GH4C1 cells, A23187 caused a rise in prolactin release of less than 2-fold that was sustained longer than the rise seen in primary cultures. Perifusion of either type of cells with 50 nM TPA caused a rapid 2- to 2.5-fold increase in release that also was sustained for 30 min or more in both types of cells. Perifusion with combined TPA and A23187 caused a 3- to 5-fold increase in rate of release from each cell type that declined rapidly to a 2-fold sustained release in primary cultures, and that declined more slowly in GH4C1 cells. Forskolin, 1 microM, had only a small effect by itself, but potentiated the effect of TPA or combined TPA and A23187 in both types of cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Female; Kinetics; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

The studies reported here were directed toward establishing the mechanism by which TRH acutely stimulates PRL secretion in GH3 pituitary cells. Studies of TRH stimulation of PRL secretion were conducted on a time scale which enables comparison with other reported rapid effects of TRH on GH3 cells. TRH stimulation of secretion was found to be extremely rapid in onset (less than or equal to 10 sec) and biphasic (phase I, 0-2 min; phase II, 5-60 min). The earliest (phase I) secretory response was observed to be independent of medium Ca+2 concentration or Ca+2 influx, but to be dependent on an intracellular Ca+2 pool. The phase II response to TRH was found to depend, in part, on medium Ca+2. The phase I response to TRH could be mimicked only by agents known to influence Ca+2 translocation in GH3 cells (60 mM K+, A23187, ionomycin, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone). These agents failed to promote sustained PRL release characteristic of phase II. It is concluded that the ability of TRH to rapidly stimulate PRL secretion (phase I) is correlated with its ability to rapidly promote a transient cytoplasmic Ca+2 concentration rise from an intracellular Ca+2 pool.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; Cell Line; Diglycerides; Gallopamil; Glycerides; Pituitary Neoplasms; Potassium; Prolactin; Rats; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The effects of 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), A23187, forskolin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on prolactin release from GH4C1 cells were compared. TPA caused a 2-fold release, maximum after 6 or more min, that was sustained for 30 min or more. A23187 caused only a small and variable response that peaked within 4 to 6 min. Combination of TPA and A23187 caused a rapid 3- to 5-fold increase in release that declined slowly. TRH increased prolactin release 3- to 5-fold, reaching a maximum within 4 min, followed by sustained release at lower rates. Forskolin had little effect by itself, but potentiated release caused either by combined TPA and A23187, or by TRH. These data are consistent with a model in which two branches of the Ca2+ messenger system participate in the action of TRH, a calmodulin branch and a C-kinase branch that interact to cause large amounts of sustained release. Forskolin, by regulating the cyclic AMP content of the cell determines the set point around which the Ca2+ messenger system operates.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Diterpenes; Drug Synergism; Phorbols; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Time Factors

A cAMP-dependent protein kinase occurs in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland and the ACTH-secreting tumor AtT-20/D16-16 derived from the mouse pituitary gland. Exposure of either tissue to drugs increasing cAMP production and hormone release (forskolin, cholera toxin, or isoproterenol in the case of the intermediate lobe; forskolin or isoproterenol in the case of the AtT-20 cells) increases the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity of a tissue homogenate in the absence, but not in the presence, of added cAMP. The potencies of these drugs to induce changes in the protein kinase activity ratio (i.e. enzyme activity in the absence of cAMP to enzyme activity in the presence of 3 microM cAMP) are comparable with their potencies as stimulants of hormone secretion. In either tissue, A23187, a calcium ionophore that stimulates hormone release but not cAMP production, does not change the protein kinase activity ratio. In the case of the AtT-20 cells, dexamethasone blocks the release of ACTH simulated by either isoproterenol or forskolin, but does not alter the enhancement of protein kinase activity induced by these drugs. Conversely, dexamethasone does not block the A23187-stimulated release of ACTH. The data suggest that cAMP modulates (but does not trigger) hormone secretion from the rodent pituitary gland by a mechanism involving activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Several possible sites for this modulatory effect of cAMP are discussed.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Line; Cholera Toxin; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Diterpenes; Isoproterenol; Mice; Phosphorylation; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Propranolol; Protein Kinases

The effects of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, were investigated on adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion from AtT-20/ D16 -16 mouse pituitary tumor cells. Forskolin increased adenylate cyclase activity in these cells in the absence of added guanyl nucleotide, an effect blocked by somatostatin. Cyclic AMP synthesis and ACTH secretion increased in a concentration-dependent manner, not only in the clonal cells, but in primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary as well. Somatostatin inhibited cyclic AMP synthesis and ACTH secretion in response to forskolin. When forskolin was coapplied with corticotropin releasing factor, cyclic AMP synthesis was potentiated and ACTH secretion additive. The calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, inhibited forskolin, and 8-bromocyclic AMP stimulated ACTH secretion. These data suggest that ACTH secretion may be regulated at the molecular level by changes in cyclic AMP formation, which in turn regulate a calcium gating mechanism.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Diterpenes; Guanosine Triphosphate; Kinetics; Male; Mice; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Somatostatin

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation of prolactin secretion from GH3 cells, cloned rat pituitary tumor cells, is associated with 1) hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to yield inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) and 2) elevation of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i), caused in part by mobilization of cellular calcium. We demonstrate, in intact cells, that TRH mobilizes calcium and, in permeabilized cells, that InsP3 releases calcium from a nonmitochondrial pool(s). In intact cells, TRH caused a loss of 16 +/- 2.7% of cell-associated 45Ca which was not inhibited by depleting the mitochondrial calcium pool with uncoupling agents. Similarly, TRH caused an elevation of [Ca2+]i from 127 +/- 6.3 nM to 375 +/- 54 nM, as monitored with Quin 2, which was not inhibited by depleting mitochondrial calcium. Saponin-permeabilized cells accumulated Ca2+ in an ATP-dependent manner into a nonmitochondrial pool, which exhibited a high affinity for Ca2+ and a small capacity, and into a mitochondrial pool which had a lower affinity for Ca2+ but was not saturated under the conditions tested. Permeabilized cells buffered free Ca2+ to 129 +/- 9.2 nM when incubated in a cytosol-like solution initially containing 200 to 1000 nM free Ca2+. InsP3, but not other inositol sugars, released calcium from the nonmitochondrial pool(s); half-maximal effect occurred at approximately 1 microM InsP3. Ca2+ release was followed by reuptake into a nonmitochondrial pool(s). These data suggest that InsP3 serves as an intracellular mediator (or second messenger) of TRH action to mobilize calcium from a nonmitochondrial pool(s) leading to an elevation of [Ca2+]i and then to prolactin secretion.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Calcium-Transporting ATPases; Cell Line; Clone Cells; Cytoplasm; Drug Interactions; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Inositol Phosphates; Mitochondria; Pituitary Neoplasms; Prolactin; Rats; Sugar Phosphates; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Uncoupling Agents

SRIF inhibits ACTH secretion by AtT20/D16v (D16) mouse pituitary cells stimulated by high (50 mM) extracellular concentrations of K+ or by divalent cation ionophores. Although stimulation of ACTH secretion by K+ requires extracellular Ca+2, the response is invariant over medium Ca+2 concentrations of 0.003-1 mM; with Ca+2 concentrations from 1-5 mM there is a dramatic amplification of the secretory response. SRIF at concentrations of 10(-8) M completely inhibits the secretory response to K+ at Ca+2 concentrations between 0.2 and 1 mM; with increasing medium Ca+2 above 1 mM there is a progressive attenuation of SRIF-inhibition. At concentrations of 5 mM, Ca+2 alone can serve as an ACTH secretagogue. The ionophore ionomycin stimulates ACTH secretion in a Ca+2-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 5 X 10(-6) M ionomycin. The secretory response to ionomycin and to X537A is inhibited by at least 50% by SRIF. The secretory response to K+ is accompanied by a rapid and sustained increase in 45Ca+2 uptake, whereas the ionophores ionomycin, X537A, and A23187 increase Ca+2 efflux. SRIF does not affect Ca+2 movement across D16 cell membranes in response to either K+ or ionophores. These results show that an increase in intracellular Ca+2 is an effective stimulus to ACTH secretion by D16 cells and inhibition of ACTH secretion by SRIF is not effected by interference with the stimulus-elicited increase in intracellular Ca+2.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cell Line; Ethers; Ionomycin; Lasalocid; Mice; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Potassium; Somatostatin; Time Factors

Thyrotropin-released hormone (TRH) stimulation of thyrotropin (TSH) release from mouse thyrotropic tumor (TtT) cells is dependent on Ca2+. We demonstrate that TRH action in TtT cells does not require extracellular Ca2+ but that Ca2+ influx induced by TRH can augment TSH secretion. TRH caused a 46% increase in 45Ca2+ uptake by TtT cells in medium with 100 micro M Ca2+. The increment in 45Ca2+ uptake caused by TRH was dependent on the concentration of Ca2+ in the medium. In contrast to the effect of 50 mM K+, which also causes Ca2+ influx, TRH caused 45Ca2+ efflux and TSH release from TtT cells even when the concentration of Ca2+ in the medium was lowered below 100 micro M. TRH stimulated TSH release during perifusion in medium in which the free Ca2+ concentration was lowered to approximately 0.02 micro M, and reintroduction of Ca2+ into the medium simultaneously with TRH markedly increased TSH release. We suggest that TRH may affect Ca2+ metabolism in TtT cells by both extracellular Ca2+-independent and -dependent mechanisms and that this dual mechanism of action serves to augment further TSH secretion induced by TRH.

Topics: Animals; Biological Transport, Active; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Mice; Pituitary Neoplasms; Thyrotropin; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone