Biomedical subjects

D Ben-Menahem

Publications and source records attributed to D Ben-Menahem.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Regulation of gonadotropin mRNA levels in cultured rat pituitary cells by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): role for Ca2+ and protein kinase C.

Incubation of cultured rat pituitary cells with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 1 nM) resulted in a rapid elevation of gonadotropin subunit steady-state mRNA levels(alpha, 2.2-fold, LH beta, 2.1-fold, and FSH beta 2.2-fold increases at 30 min). Addition of actinomycin D abolished the stimulatory effect of GnRH upon alpha and LH beta and reduced the effect upon FSH beta mRNA levels. The effect of GnRH is biphasic, where the early phase is being observed at 30-60 min, while the late phase is noticed between 12-24 h. A significant decrease in FSH beta mRNA levels was found after 6 h of incubation when using a stable GnRH analog. The unique profile of the time response enabled us to attempt to dissect the signal transduction cascade involved in the neurohormone action. Addition of the protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), or the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, mimicked the profile of GnRH-induced alpha and LH beta mRNA elevation. The two phases of FSH beta mRNA elevation induced by GnRH could be mimicked by TPA, while the decrease at 6 h was mimicked by ionomycin. The rapid stimulatory effect of GnRH on gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels was abolished by the PKC inhibitors, staurosporine and GF 109203X. Similarly, the rapid stimulatory effect of GnRH on alpha and LH beta, but not FSH beta, was abolished in Ca(2+)-free medium. While additivity in LH release is obtained upon the combined addition of TPA and ionomycin for 30 min of incubation, LH beta and FSH beta gene expression is inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Developmental expression of protein kinase C subspecies in rat brain-pituitary axis.

We have examined the neonatal developmental expression of protein kinase C subspecies (PKCs) in rat brain, pituitary glands and cells by enzymatic activity assays, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis with type-specific antibodies. A very large increase (455%) was noticed in brain PKC activity during the first week of life with the particulate fraction (22% of total enzyme activity on day 1) increasing dramatically (900%) during the first week to 50% of enzyme activity. In contrast, the pituitary gland showed high activity on day 1 that decreased progressively to reach the lowest levels at 1 year of age. Paradoxically, the number of pituitary cells immunolabeled for PKC increases as a function of age. Western blot analysis showed only small changes in PKC alpha, PKC beta and PKC epsilon when brains from 6-day-old and 3-month-old female rats were compared, whereas PKC tau and PKC delta increased markedly during this period. On the other hand, brain PKC zeta decreased between 6 days and 3 months of age. Western blot analysis showed no major changes in pituitary PKC alpha, PKC beta and PKC zeta when 6-day-old and 3-month-old female rats were compared, while PKC tau was not detected. The major band of pituitary PKC delta (76 kDa) decreased markedly between 6 days and 3 months of age whereas the minor band (68 kDa) did not change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed1992

Dissociation between release and gene expression of gonadotropin alpha-subunit in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated alpha T3-1 cell line.

The alpha T3-1 cell line which was derived by targeted tumorigenesis in transgenic mice [Windle et al. (1990) Mol. Endocrinol. 4, 597-603] possesses high-affinity binding sites for GnRH analogs coupled to enhanced phosphoinositide turnover and phospholipase D activity. Incubation of alpha T3-1 cells with [D-Trp6]-GnRH analog (GnRH-A) resulted in a rapid increase in gonadotropin alpha-subunit mRNA levels which was detected already at 30 min of incubation (0.1 nM GnRH-A, 3-fold, p < 0.01). The effect diminished with time to reach basal levels at about 12 h of incubation, with a secondary rise in alpha mRNA levels between 12 and 24 h of incubation. Addition of the protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, 100 ng/mL) or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 microM) to alpha T3-1 cells also resulted in a rapid increase in alpha-subunit mRNA levels. Surprisingly, GnRH-induced alpha-subunit release was detected only after a lag of 4 h of incubation. Thus, dissociation between exocytosis and gene expression can be demonstrated in GnRH-stimulated alpha T3-1 cell line.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor: signals involved in gonadotropin secretion and biosynthesis.

The neurohormone gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a decapeptide which is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released into the hypophysial portal system in a pulsatile manner. GnRH exerts its effect on the anterior pituitary gonadotrophs where it regulates the secretion and synthesis of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) through receptor-mediated actions. The GnRH receptor has been characterized and shown to be coupled to the formation of 'second messengers' which participate in signal transduction mechanisms. GnRH stimulation of luteinizing hormone release is a Ca2(+)-dependent process. G protein, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C as well as arachidonic acid and some of its metabolites were identified as possible mediators in the process.

Animals↗