Cellular LH Research Articles

Adiponectin Activates Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase and Decreases Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in LβT2 Gonadotropes

Metabolic dysregulation is associated with reproductive disorders, but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived secretory factor that improves insulin sensitivity. Results from animal models indicate that overexpression of adiponectin impairs female fertility. We hypothesized that adiponectin regulates reproduction by altering the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mouse LbetaT2 immortalized gonadotrope cells express both adiponectin receptors 1 and 2. Adiponectin increases phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a downstream target of adiponectin receptors, and reduces basal and GnRH-stimulated LH secretion, acutely. The repression of LH secretion can be mimicked by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-riboside, an AMP analog, suggesting the involvement of AMPK. A dominant-negative AMPK mutant or compound C, a selective AMPK inhibitor, potentiates basal LH secretion and abolishes the inhibitory effect of adiponectin. Chronic activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-riboside decreases cellular LH levels, and expression of dominant-negative AMPK increases cellular LH levels, suggesting a second effect of AMPK to regulate LH synthesis. Lastly, intravenous injection of an adenovirus expressing adiponectin into male mice reduces serum LH levels without changing FSH levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that adiponectin decreases LH secretion in pituitary gonadotropes in an AMPK-dependent manner.

Effects of ethanol intoxication on LH receptors and glucose oxidation in Leydig cells of adult albino rats

The present study was designed to assess the dose-dependent effects of ethanol on Leydig cells of adult albino rats of the Wistar strain. Ethanol was given orally through gastric intubation at three different dose levels (0.5, 1 and 3 g/kg body weight) twice daily as 25% (v/v) aqueous solution for 15 days. Ethanol treatment reduced body and testes weights. Serum testosterone registered a decrease while estradiol levels became elevated. Activities of the steroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17-ketosteroid reductase (17-KSR) decreased significantly. The glucose oxidative capacity of Leydig cells was impaired by ethanol treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, ethanol treatment caused significant reduction in LH receptors on the Leydig cell membrane at higher doses (1 and 3 g/kg) whereas no significant change was observed with the lower dose (0.5 g/kg) as compared to controls. The present findings suggest that the decrease in Leydig cellular LH receptors, glucose oxidation and the activities of 3β-HSD and 17-KSR are possible mechanisms by which ethanol treatment perturbs Leydig cell steroidogenesis.

Sex Differences in Estrogen-Dependent Transcription of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Gene Revealed in GnRH Transgenic Mice

The mechanisms through which gonadal steroids exert feedback actions on the activity of the GnRH neurons are not understood. Using a series of GnRH-LacZ transgenic mice we have examined the manner in which gonadal steroids suppress GnRH mRNA expression in male and female mice. The long-term gonadectomy of 5.5-GNZ-3.5 transgenic mice resulted in significant increases in cellular GnRH mRNA expression (P < 0.05) and plasma LH concentrations (P < 0.01) in both sexes. However, cellular levels of LacZ mRNA and beta-galactosidase, which provide an index of GnRH gene transcription, were only elevated in males after gonadectomy. This sexually differentiated response was also observed in mice gonadectomized for 2 wk. Estrogen replacement in gonadectomized males returned transgene expression to intact levels. Experiments in transgenic mice with 3' and 5' deleted GnRH-LacZ constructs revealed that the suppressive influence of estrogen on LacZ transcription in the male required a critical element located between -5.2 and -1.7 kb of the GnRH promoter. These studies show that the suppression of GnRH mRNA expression by estrogen in the male involves a decrease in GnRH gene transcription that is dependent on a distal GnRH promoter element. The same mechanism does not exist in females, indicating that gonadal steroids suppress GnRH mRNA levels in a sexually dimorphic manner.

GnRH and oxytocin have nonidentical effects on the cellular LH response by gonadotrophs at pro-oestrus.

For full fertility in the female ovulation is necessary, which is dependent on the production of a surge of LH. An understanding of the processes which result in the high levels of LH requires delineation of the activities of individual component cells. In this study the responses of gonadotrophs to two signalling hypothalamic peptides, GnRH and oxytocin, were investigated. A cell immunoblot method was used to identify and distinguish between cells which secrete LH and those which contain LH but do not secrete the glycohormone. Rats were killed on the morning of pro-oestrus, the pituitary collected and the cells dispersed onto a protein-binding membrane for study. Cells were then incubated with GnRH and oxytocin, after which the membranes including the attached cells were stained by immunocytochemistry for LH. GnRH increased the total number of immunopositive cells which were present in a concentration-dependent manner. The most prominent change after 2 h incubation was in the number of secreting cells, whereas after 4 h there was also a marked increase in numbers of nonsecreting cells. Oxytocin also increased the total number of immunopositive cells in a concentration-responsive manner, however the profile of action of oxytocin was different from that observed for GnRH. Oxytocin had a relatively greater effect on numbers of immunopositive nonsecreting cells. Thus, the results reveal the potential for gonadotrophs to be flexibly and appropriately modulated by selected hypothalamic peptides. When cells were preincubated with oxytocin prior to GnRH there was not an additive increase in the numbers of immunopositive cells, suggesting that the two agonists act, in a nonidentical manner, on similar cells. The increase in the total number of immunopositive cells implies that there was a production of LH or post-translational processing, induced by exposure to GnRH or oxytocin. The results confirmed the heterogeneity of gonadotrophs and the existence of functionally distinguishable subpopulations, and revealed a difference between the effects of GnRH and oxytocin on expression and secretion of LH.

Activin modulates the intracellular signaling system activated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone: dual effect on calcium messenger system and protein kinase-C pathway

This study was performed to assess the effects of activin on intracellular mechanisms involved in GnRH action. When rat pituitary cell cultures were pretreated with activin-A (5-80 ng/ml) for 3 days, subsequent FSH and LH release (percentage of total cellular FSH and LH released during 4 h) in response to GnRH (10(-10)-10(-6) M) was not significantly different from that in cells pretreated with medium alone. In contrast, activin pretreatment increased the potency of both A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [a protein kinase-C (PKC) activator] as secretagogues for FSH and LH release. FSH or LH release in response to another Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogue, maitotoxin (an activator of the GnRH receptor-associated Ca2+ channel), was not increased by activin. Although PKC is capable of influencing the actions of Ca2+, which is believed to be the second messenger for GnRH action, neither GnRH- nor maitotoxin-stimulated gonadotropin release was increased by activin even when the influence of activin on PKC was eliminated by the addition of a PKC inhibitor (staurosporine; 100 nM) during the final 30 min of the 3-day pretreatment period. These results indicate that although activin does not influence GnRH action with regard to gonadotropin release, it increases the sensitivity of the system regulating gonadotropin release to increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations and PKC activation. Furthermore, activin appears to exhibit an inhibitory effect(s) at some point(s) in GnRH action in a PKC-independent manner, which could be responsible for opposing the increased sensitivity of the gonadotrope to Ca2+. The differential effects of activin on gonadotropin release in response to Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogues (ionophore and maitotoxin) raise the possibility that the activity of the GnRH receptor-associated Ca2+ channel may be suppressed by activin.

Activin modulates the intracellular signaling system activated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone: dual effect on calcium messenger system and protein kinase-C pathway.

This study was performed to assess the effects of activin on intracellular mechanisms involved in GnRH action. When rat pituitary cell cultures were pretreated with activin-A (5-80 ng/ml) for 3 days, subsequent FSH and LH release (percentage of total cellular FSH and LH released during 4 h) in response to GnRH (10(-10)-10(-6) M) was not significantly different from that in cells pretreated with medium alone. In contrast, activin pretreatment increased the potency of both A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [a protein kinase-C (PKC) activator] as secretagogues for FSH and LH release. FSH or LH release in response to another Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogue, maitotoxin (an activator of the GnRH receptor-associated Ca2+ channel), was not increased by activin. Although PKC is capable of influencing the actions of Ca2+, which is believed to be the second messenger for GnRH action, neither GnRH- nor maitotoxin-stimulated gonadotropin release was increased by activin even when the influence of activin on PKC was eliminated by the addition of a PKC inhibitor (staurosporine; 100 nM) during the final 30 min of the 3-day pretreatment period. These results indicate that although activin does not influence GnRH action with regard to gonadotropin release, it increases the sensitivity of the system regulating gonadotropin release to increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations and PKC activation. Furthermore, activin appears to exhibit an inhibitory effect(s) at some point(s) in GnRH action in a PKC-independent manner, which could be responsible for opposing the increased sensitivity of the gonadotrope to Ca2+. The differential effects of activin on gonadotropin release in response to Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogues (ionophore and maitotoxin) raise the possibility that the activity of the GnRH receptor-associated Ca2+ channel may be suppressed by activin.

Differential Secretion of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone from Ovine Pituitary Cells following Activation of Protein Kinase A, Protein Kinase C, or Increased Intracellular Calcium1

A higher dose of GnRH is required to stimulate release of FSH than of LH, both in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that secretion of FSH may be mediated via a second messenger pathway different from the one that modulates secretion of LH. Pituitary cells from intact ewes were cultured in suspension in DMEM plus 10% wether serum. After 18 h, cell were washed and challenged for 2 h with agents capable of activating protein kinase A (dibutyryl cAMP), protein kinase C (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMA), or increasing intracellular calcium (the calcium ionophore A23187). GnRH (0.01-10 nM) and PMA (0.2-20 nM) stimulated dose-dependent increases in secretion of LH. FSH secretion also was stimulated by GnRH and PMA; however, the percentage of total cellular FSH released was lower (p < 0.05) than the percentage of total cellular LH released. Dibutyryl cAMP (10 mM) induced a modest release (p < 0.05) of both LH and FSH. A23187 (1-10 microM) stimulated secretion of LH in a dose-dependent manner but did not influence secretion of FSH; however, GnRH- and PMA-induced secretion of FSH required the presence of intracellular calcium. On the basis of the results of this study, we suggest that secretion of FSH is less than secretion of LH following direct activation of these second messenger systems. Furthermore, we suggest that in contrast to the situation for LH, increased intracellular calcium is not the primary stimulus for inducing secretion of FSH.

Modulation of activin A action and specificity in the rat gonadotrope by protein kinase C

This study was undertaken to assess the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in activin action in the rat pituitary. Pretreatment with 500 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 22-24 h reduced subsequent FSH and LH release (percentage of total cellular FSH and LH released) in response to 100 nM PMA. This action persisted for 2 days after the pretreatment. Pretreatment with 500 nM 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha PDD, a phorbol ester which does not activate PKC) did not affect cell responsiveness to 100 nM PMA. Both PKC-down-regulated cells and cells with a full complement of PKC responded similarly to 100 nM GnRH and 100 microM A23187 during this period. Incubation with 50 ng/ml activin A for 48 h significantly increased both FSH release and total FSH (extracellular plus intracellular) compared to corresponding basal values in PMA-pretreated cells, as well as in vehicle-or 4 alpha PDD-pretreated cells. Activin stimulation of basal FSH release and total FSH was significantly more potent in PMA-pretreated cells than in cells not pretreated with PMA. Activin did not alter basal LH release or total LH in vehicle- or 4 alpha PDD-pretreated cells but significantly increased both in PMA-pretreated cells. When PMA was present only during the initial 2 h of the 22- to 24-h pretreatment period at 50 nM, PKC was not down-regulated. In these cells, the potency of activin stimulation of basal FSH release was not affected, but stimulation of basal LH release by activin was still observed. These results suggest that PKC is not required for activin to stimulate FSH release but is involved as a modulator of potency and specificity of the activin action.

Modulation of activin A action and specificity in the rat gonadotrope by protein kinase C.

This study was undertaken to assess the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in activin action in the rat pituitary. Pretreatment with 500 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 22-24 h reduced subsequent FSH and LH release (percentage of total cellular FSH and LH released) in response to 100 nM PMA. This action persisted for 2 days after the pretreatment. Pretreatment with 500 nM 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha PDD, a phorbol ester which does not activate PKC) did not affect cell responsiveness to 100 nM PMA. Both PKC-down-regulated cells and cells with a full complement of PKC responded similarly to 100 nM GnRH and 100 microM A23187 during this period. Incubation with 50 ng/ml activin A for 48 h significantly increased both FSH release and total FSH (extracellular plus intracellular) compared to corresponding basal values in PMA-pretreated cells, as well as in vehicle-or 4 alpha PDD-pretreated cells. Activin stimulation of basal FSH release and total FSH was significantly more potent in PMA-pretreated cells than in cells not pretreated with PMA. Activin did not alter basal LH release or total LH in vehicle- or 4 alpha PDD-pretreated cells but significantly increased both in PMA-pretreated cells. When PMA was present only during the initial 2 h of the 22- to 24-h pretreatment period at 50 nM, PKC was not down-regulated. In these cells, the potency of activin stimulation of basal FSH release was not affected, but stimulation of basal LH release by activin was still observed. These results suggest that PKC is not required for activin to stimulate FSH release but is involved as a modulator of potency and specificity of the activin action.

A cholera toxin-sensitive guanyl nucleotide binding protein mediates the movement of pituitary luteinizing hormone into a releasable pool: loss of this event is associated with the onset of homologous desensitization to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Cholera toxin (CTX; 5 micrograms/ml), but not pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml), when preincubated with pituitary cells for 18 h, enhances the percentage of cellular LH released in response to continuous or pulsatile administration of 5 x 10(-9) M GnRH. This effect occurs without increasing total (intracellular plus extracellular) LH, indicating that it is best explained by redistribution of LH from a nonreleasable to a releasable pool. This site of action is consistent with the observation that CTX-pretreated cells are also sensitized to stimulation of LH release by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. The observations that CTX stimulates the production of cAMP in these cells and that the sensitizing action of CTX is mimicked by (Bu)2cAMP (1 mM) are consistent with the view that a CTX-stimulated guanyl nucleotide binding protein, capable of activating adenylyl cyclase, is mediating this sensitization. We used a perifused cell system to show that the movement of LH into a releasable pool is lost with the onset of homologous desensitization due to high pulse frequency or constant administration of GnRH (5 x 10(-9) M, continuous or a pulse each 15 min). Sensitization to CTX is restored by stimulation with a high concentration of GnRH (10(-6) M) or by resetting the pulse frequency to the rate measured in vivo (a pulse each 90 min). Both of these treatments also circumvent the desensitized state, restoring LH release. These results identify a novel lesion associated with the development of desensitization in the gonadotrope and support the role of a CTX-sensitive guanyl nucleotide binding protein in regulation of pituitary responsiveness to GnRH.

Unimpaired postreceptor regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion by gonadotropin-releasing hormone and estrogen in aged rat anterior pituitary cells.

Delayed, attenuated, or absence of the proestrous LH surge occurs in aging rats. To assess how aging affects the positive feedback action of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on the pituitary, we determined the responsiveness of rat pituitary cells to GnRH and the secretagogues affecting intracellular signal transduction mechanisms in the presence or absence of E2. We also correlated the LH response to pituitary LH content. Anterior pituitaries excised from ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, either young (3-4 months) or old (19-20 months), were enzymatically dispersed and then pretreated with or without E2 (0.6 nM) for 48 h, followed by incubation for 3 h with or without various secretagogues. The secretagogues included GnRH (1 and 10 nM), veratridine (increases Ca2+ influx; 5 and 10 microM), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (a protein kinase-C activator; 10 and 100 nM). LH in media and cells were measured by RIA and expressed on the basis of cellular DNA. GnRH, veratridine, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate at all doses stimulated (P < 0.01) LH release in cells from both young and old rats. E2 stimulated (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) all secretagogue-induced LH release in cells from both young and old rats, but only basal LH release (P < 0.05) in cells from young rats. The magnitude of both basal and secretagogue-induced LH release in either the presence or absence of E2 was smaller (P < 0.01) in cells from old than in those from young rats. The initial cellular LH was lower (P < 0.01) in cells from old than in those from young rats. The LH-releasing ability (expressed as a percentage of total cellular LH) of cells from old rats was identical (P > 0.05) to that of cells from young rats under all conditions studied. These results suggest that the reduced magnitude of LH release by cells from old rats may be attributed to reduced cellular LH, rather than to impaired estrogen feedback or impaired signal transduction mechanisms. It remains to be determined whether LH biosynthesis per cell and/or the number of gonadotropes decrease with age.

Development of gonadotrope desensitization to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and recovery are not coupled to inositol phosphate production or GnRH receptor number.

After initial GnRH pretreatment (10 nM, 5 h), subsequent GnRH-stimulated LH release from the gonadotrope was diminished (1 microM GnRH stimulated release of 36.4 +/- 1.4% total cellular LH over 3 h in cells initially pretreated with medium alone compared to 27.4 +/- 1.2% in GnRH-pretreated cells); however, inositol phosphate (IP) production in response to the releasing hormone remained unaffected (1 microM GnRH provoked IP accumulation of 161 +/- 9% above basal levels after 45 min in control cells and 162 +/- 11% in GnRH-pretreated cells). Pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with NaF (a guanyl nucleotide binding protein activator, 10 mM, 3 h) also decreased subsequent GnRH-stimulated LH release, and in addition, provoked a decrease in GnRH receptor number, an increase in GnRH receptor affinity, reduction of GnRH-stimulated IP production to basal levels, and an increase in the amount of LH released in response to stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187. In order to determine if the changes in LH release were a result of decreased IP production and/or decreased GnRH receptor binding, the time course of recovery to control levels of these processes was assessed. GnRH receptor binding continued to decrease after NaF pretreatment, reaching a nadir (62% of control) at 6 h after the pretreatment period and recovering at 48 h (90% of control). In contrast, GnRH-provoked IP accumulation did not return to control levels even after 48 h of recovery after NaF pretreatment (1 microM GnRH-stimulated IP accumulation in NaF-pretreated cells was 57% compared to control cells after 48 h of recovery). GnRH-stimulated LH release was inhibited immediately after NaF pretreatment (1 microM GnRH-stimulated LH release in NaF-pretreated cells was 65% of control levels). Cells began to recover within 3 h (80% of control) and were almost completely recovered by 6 h (90% of control). A23187-provoked LH release was enhanced immediately after NaF pretreatment (30 microM A23187-stimulated LH release in NaF-pretreated cells was 170% of control levels). Responsiveness to ionophore was 133% of control by 0.5 h, and complete recovery was measured within 1 h (100% of control). Furthermore, both NaF and GnRH pretreatment still provoked a decrease in gonadotrope responsiveness when IP production was inhibited by the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122. The results suggest that the development of gonadotrope desensitization (by either NaF or GnRH pretreatment) can be uncoupled from changes in IP production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Development of gonadotrope desensitization to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and recovery are not coupled to inositol phosphate production or GnRH receptor number

After initial GnRH pretreatment (10 nM, 5 h), subsequent GnRH-stimulated LH release from the gonadotrope was diminished (1 microM GnRH stimulated release of 36.4 +/- 1.4% total cellular LH over 3 h in cells initially pretreated with medium alone compared to 27.4 +/- 1.2% in GnRH-pretreated cells); however, inositol phosphate (IP) production in response to the releasing hormone remained unaffected (1 microM GnRH provoked IP accumulation of 161 +/- 9% above basal levels after 45 min in control cells and 162 +/- 11% in GnRH-pretreated cells). Pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with NaF (a guanyl nucleotide binding protein activator, 10 mM, 3 h) also decreased subsequent GnRH-stimulated LH release, and in addition, provoked a decrease in GnRH receptor number, an increase in GnRH receptor affinity, reduction of GnRH-stimulated IP production to basal levels, and an increase in the amount of LH released in response to stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187. In order to determine if the changes in LH release were a result of decreased IP production and/or decreased GnRH receptor binding, the time course of recovery to control levels of these processes was assessed. GnRH receptor binding continued to decrease after NaF pretreatment, reaching a nadir (62% of control) at 6 h after the pretreatment period and recovering at 48 h (90% of control). In contrast, GnRH-provoked IP accumulation did not return to control levels even after 48 h of recovery after NaF pretreatment (1 microM GnRH-stimulated IP accumulation in NaF-pretreated cells was 57% compared to control cells after 48 h of recovery). GnRH-stimulated LH release was inhibited immediately after NaF pretreatment (1 microM GnRH-stimulated LH release in NaF-pretreated cells was 65% of control levels). Cells began to recover within 3 h (80% of control) and were almost completely recovered by 6 h (90% of control). A23187-provoked LH release was enhanced immediately after NaF pretreatment (30 microM A23187-stimulated LH release in NaF-pretreated cells was 170% of control levels). Responsiveness to ionophore was 133% of control by 0.5 h, and complete recovery was measured within 1 h (100% of control). Furthermore, both NaF and GnRH pretreatment still provoked a decrease in gonadotrope responsiveness when IP production was inhibited by the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122. The results suggest that the development of gonadotrope desensitization (by either NaF or GnRH pretreatment) can be uncoupled from changes in IP production.

Luteinizing hormone synthesis in cultured fetal human pituitary cells exposed to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

To investigate whether GnRH regulates LH synthesis during human development, pituitary cells from second trimester fetuses were incubated with [35S]methionine ([35S]met) and [3H]glucosamine ([3H]gln) for 48 h with 0, 10(-9), and 10(-7) mol/L GnRH. Immunoassayable (i) LH was measured in media and cellular lysates, and dual label scintillation analysis was used to quantitate incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into cells, trichloroacetic acid-precipitable proteins, and immunoprecipitated LH subjected to electrophoresis. Exposure of cells to GnRH did not affect cellular uptake or incorporation of precursors into proteins, but specifically increased total (secreted plus cellular) LH synthesis. Both GnRH concentrations significantly increased iLH release and enhanced secreted and cellular [3H]gln-LH. The secretion of [35S] met-LH was stimulated only by 10(-7) mol/L GnRH. The proportion of newly synthesized LH that was secreted and the 3H/35S ratio of secreted and cellular LH were uninfluenced by GnRH. Although basal LH synthesis was not sex dependent, total iLH content and GnRH-stimulated LH translation were greater in cells from females than in those from males. Therefore, GnRH regulates LH synthesis by second trimester fetal human gonadotrophs without influencing the proportion of total radiolabeled LH that is secreted. The existence of a sex difference in total iLH content and GnRH-stimulated LH translation is consistent with the sexual dimorphism in pituitary LH content occurring during human development.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ fluctuations and luteinizing hormone release can be uncoupled from inositol phosphate production.

In order to study the dependence of GnRH-stimulated LH release on inositol phosphate (IP) turnover, this study used an inhibitor of phospholipase C activity, 1-[6-[[17 beta-3- methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-dione (U-73122) and an inactive analog 1-[6[[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)- triene-17-yl]amino]hexyl]2,5-pyrrolidine-dione (U-73343). U-73122 (10 microM) decreased GnRH-provoked (1 microM, 45 min) IP accumulation from 873 +/- 61 dpm to 365 +/- 50 dpm (basal accumulation also was decreased from 420 +/- 18 dpm to 207 +/- 16 dpm) while LH release was not inhibited (30.2 +/- 1.4% of cellular LH in control compared to 30.3 +/- 1.1% in U-73122 pretreated cells). GnRH provoked increased IP3 accumulation (123% of basal) after 15 sec of stimulation, IP2 accumulation (131% of basal) after 30 sec, and IP1 (121% of basal) after 1 min. Pretreatment with U-73122 blocked accumulation of IPs at these early timepoints. Sodium fluoride (NaF)-stimulated IP accumulation was also inhibited by U-73122 (from 1539 +/- 132 dpm to 414 +/- 21 dpm) while LH release increased from 22.9 +/- 1.4% total cellular LH to 28.0 +/- 2.2%. In contrast, GnRH- and NaF-stimulated IP accumulation were not significantly decreased in U-73343 pretreated cells (GnRH: 817 +/- 43 dpm compared to 873 +/- 61 dpm in control; NaF: 1133 +/- 74 dpm compared to 1539 +/- 132 dpm in control cells). Results of a perifusion study showed that U-73122 did not block the initial phase of GnRH-stimulated LH release or interfere with the development of desensitization to the releasing hormone. In addition, GnRH-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ fluctuations were similar in magnitude and duration in U-73122-pretreated compared to U-73343-pretreated cells. These results demonstrate that GnRH- as well as NaF-stimulated LH release can be uncoupled from IP production calling to question the role of IP3 as a second messenger for GnRH-stimulated LH release.

Sodium fluoride provokes gonadotrope desensitization to gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrope sensitization to A23187: evidence for multiple G proteins in GnRH action

Pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with GnRH causes altered gonadotrope responsiveness to LH secretagogues. The precise mechanism by which this occurs is not understood. Because a G protein appears to be activated after GnRH stimulation of the gonadotrope, a role for this moiety in GnRH-stimulated alterations in gonadotrope responsiveness was assessed. We show that 3 h pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with 10 mM NaF (a G protein activator), resulted in decreased gonadotrope responsiveness to subsequent GnRH treatment (3 h, 100 nM; 34.4 +/- 1.6% vs. 23.4 +/- 1.5% of total cellular LH). NaF-provoked gonadotrope desensitization to GnRH also occurred in the presence of 3 mM EGTA and in cells which had been depleted of protein kinase C. Desensitization to GnRH did not occur in response to pretreatment with (Bu)2cAMP (8 h, 1 mM). In addition, neither GnRH nor NaF stimulated inositol phosphate production above basal levels after the NaF pretreatment. GnRH receptor binding also decreased by 30% with NaF pretreatment. In contrast, 3 h NaF (10 mM) pretreatment enhanced responsiveness of the gonadotrope to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 in a protein kinase C- and cAMP-dependent manner. Responsiveness to the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, was also increased, whereas responsiveness to the Ca2+ channel activator maitotoxin was unchanged. These data suggest that G protein activation by NaF provokes gonadotrope desensitization to GnRH stimulation by both decreasing receptor numbers and by uncoupling of the receptors from inositol phosphate production. In addition, a distinct G protein action appears to be involved in sensitizing the gonadotrope to A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

Sodium fluoride provokes gonadotrope desensitization to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrope sensitization to A23187: evidence for multiple G proteins in GnRH action.

Pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with GnRH causes altered gonadotrope responsiveness to LH secretagogues. The precise mechanism by which this occurs is not understood. Because a G protein appears to be activated after GnRH stimulation of the gonadotrope, a role for this moiety in GnRH-stimulated alterations in gonadotrope responsiveness was assessed. We show that 3 h pretreatment of pituitary cell cultures with 10 mM NaF (a G protein activator), resulted in decreased gonadotrope responsiveness to subsequent GnRH treatment (3 h, 100 nM; 34.4 +/- 1.6% vs. 23.4 +/- 1.5% of total cellular LH). NaF-provoked gonadotrope desensitization to GnRH also occurred in the presence of 3 mM EGTA and in cells which had been depleted of protein kinase C. Desensitization to GnRH did not occur in response to pretreatment with (Bu)2cAMP (8 h, 1 mM). In addition, neither GnRH nor NaF stimulated inositol phosphate production above basal levels after the NaF pretreatment. GnRH receptor binding also decreased by 30% with NaF pretreatment. In contrast, 3 h NaF (10 mM) pretreatment enhanced responsiveness of the gonadotrope to the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 in a protein kinase C- and cAMP-dependent manner. Responsiveness to the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, was also increased, whereas responsiveness to the Ca2+ channel activator maitotoxin was unchanged. These data suggest that G protein activation by NaF provokes gonadotrope desensitization to GnRH stimulation by both decreasing receptor numbers and by uncoupling of the receptors from inositol phosphate production. In addition, a distinct G protein action appears to be involved in sensitizing the gonadotrope to A23187 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.

Opioid modulation of LH secretion by pig pituitary cells in vitro

The effects of naloxone and beta-endorphin on LH secretion by pig pituitary cells were studied in primary cultures. On Day 4 of culture, cells (10(5) seeded/well) were challenged with 10(-9), 10(-8) or 10(-7) M gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) or 10(-7) M-beta-endorphin or 10(-6) M-naloxone individually or in combinations. Secreted LH was measured at 4 h and 24 h after treatment and cellular content of LH was measured after 24 h. Basal LH secretion (control) was 23.5 +/- 7.6 and 36.9 +/- 10.3 ng/well at 4 h and 24 h, respectively. Relative to control at 4 h, 10(-9), 10(-8) or 10(-7) M-GnRH stimulated (P less than 0.05) LH secretion 140%, 210% and 250%, respectively. At 24 h, LH secretion was increased (P less than 0.05) by GnRH compared to control, but the dose-response to GnRH was absent. Naloxone increased (P less than 0.01) LH secretion 166 +/- 13% at 4 h and 141 +/- 13% (P less than 0.06) at 24 h. Secretion of LH after simultaneous addition of 10(-8) M-GnRH plus naloxone was greater (P less than 0.01) than after GnRH alone at 4 h but not at 24 h. beta-Endorphin at 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) or 10(-7) M failed to alter basal LH secretion at 4 h but decreased secretion at 24 h, while cellular LH content was similar to control at 24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stimulation of Luteinizing Hormone Release by Sodium Fluoride Is Independent of Protein Kinase-C Activity and Unaffected by Desensitization to Gonadotropin- Releasing Hormone*

GnRH stimulates secretion of pituitary LH by increasing intracellular calcium. Increased calcium may result from activation of phospholipase-C, since there is an increase in inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol, and a redistribution of protein kinase-C (PKC) from cytosolic to a particulate cell fraction in GnRH-stimulated pituitary cultures. A GTP-binding protein (G-protein) may mediate GnRH actions, since GTP stimulates LH release in permeabilized gonadotropes and decreases receptor affinity for a GnRH analog. In the present study we have used sodium fluoride, an exogenous activator of G-proteins, to investigate the possibility of a G-protein link between GnRH receptor activation, phospholipase-C activity, and LH release. Treatment of primary pituitary cell cultures from immature female rats with sodium fluoride stimulated the release of 20% total cellular LH and increased inositol phosphate accumulation. Sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release was insensitive to cholera toxin and pertussis toxin. Sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release was additive with a maximally effective concentration of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and was not inhibited by depletion of cellular PKC, suggesting that PKC does not mediate sodium fluoride effects. Treatment of cultures with 3 mM EGTA and 10 nM GnRH for 5 and 16 h reduced pituitary responsiveness to subsequent treatment with GnRH, but had no effect on sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release. Although the precise mechanism of sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release remains to be described, our results support a role for a G-protein in regulation of LH release by the releasing hormone.

Gonadal Steroid Modulation of Signal Transduction and Luteinizing Hormone Release in Cultured Chicken Pituitary Cells*

The mechanism whereby gonadal steroids modulate GnRH-stimulated LH secretion by primary cultures of chicken pituitary cells was investigated. Estradiol (10(-8) M), testosterone (10(-7) M), and progesterone (10(-7) M) inhibited LH release stimulated by GnRH (10(-7) M) by 56%, 61%, and 53%, respectively, and the inhibitory effects required prolonged preincubation (24-48 h) with the steroids. The steroids inhibited the spike (0-3 min) and plateau (9-30 min) phases of LH release to a similar degree. The ED50 values of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone for inhibition of GnRH-stimulated LH release were 7 x 10(-11), 2 x 10(-9), and 1 x 10(-9) M, respectively. Estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone inhibited the maximal LH response to GnRH, but the ED50 of GnRH (4 x 10(-9) M) was not altered by steroid pretreatment. Steroid pretreatment did not cause a change in cellular LH content, suggesting that the steroids do not inhibit LH synthesis. Combinations of two or three of the steroids were not additive, suggesting that all three steroids affect GnRH-stimulated LH release via the same mechanism. In experiments investigating their mechanism of action, the steroids inhibited LH release stimulated by GnRH and Ca2+ ionophore A23187, but generally had no effect on the responses to phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), forskolin, K+, Bay K8644, or veratridine. Estradiol inhibited GnRH-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux, but its inhibitory effect on GnRH-induced inositol phosphate production was not significant. Estradiol had no effect on binding of 125I-[His5,D-Tyr6]GnRH to a pituitary cell preparation. These findings suggest that the site of steroid modulation of GnRH action is distal to binding of GnRH to its receptor, and that the inhibitory effects are exerted at two intracellular sites: 1) the coupling events linking receptor activation to mobilization of Ca2+, and 2) a site distal to Ca2+ mobilization.