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K J Catt

Publications and source records attributed to K J Catt.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Angiotensin II receptors and mechanisms of action in adrenal glomerulosa cells.

The plasma-membrane receptors, coupling mechanisms, and effector enzymes that mediate target-cell activation by angiotensin II (AII) have been characterized in rat and bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. The AII holoreceptor is a glycoprotein of Mr approximately 125,000 under non-denaturing conditions. Photoaffinity labeling of AII receptors with azido-AII derivatives has shown size heterogeneity among the AII binding sites between species and target tissues, with Mr values of 55,000 to 79,000. Such variations in molecular size probably reflect differences in carbohydrate content of the individual receptor sites. The adrenal AII receptor, like that in other tissues, is coupled to the inhibitory guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein (Ni). However, studies with pertussis toxin have shown that stimulation of aldosterone production by AII is not mediated by Ni but by a pertussis-insensitive nucleotide regulatory protein of unidentified nature. Although Ni is not involved in the stimulatory action of AII on steroidogenesis, it does mediate the inhibitory effects of high concentrations of AII upon aldosterone production. The actions of AII on adrenal cortical function are thus regulated by at least two guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins that are selectively activated by increasing AII concentrations. The principal effector enzyme in AII action is phospholipase C, which is rapidly stimulated in rat and bovine glomerulosa after AII receptor activation. AII-induced breakdown of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) leads to formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (IP2). These are metabolized predominantly to inositol-4-monophosphate, which serves as a marker of polyphosphoinositide breakdown, whereas inositol-1-phosphate is largely derived from phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. The AII-stimulated glomerulosa cell also produces inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, a biologically inactive IP3 isomer formed from Ins-1,4,5-trisphosphate via inositol tetrakisphosphate (IP4) during ligand activation in several calcium-dependent target cells. The Ins-1,4,5-P3 formed during AII action binds with high affinity to specific intracellular receptors that have been characterized in the bovine adrenal gland and other AII target tissues, and may represent the sites through which IP3 causes calcium mobilization during the initiation of cellular responses.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1987

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binds to a specific receptor and releases microsomal calcium in the anterior pituitary gland.

The properties of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor sites in the anterior pituitary were evaluated by binding studies with InsP3 labeled with 32P to high specific radioactivity. Specific binding of Ins[32P]P3 was demonstrable in pituitary membrane preparations and was linearly proportional to the amount of membrane added over the range 0.5-2 mg of protein. Kinetic studies showed that specific InsP3 binding was half-maximal in about 40 sec and reached a plateau after 15 min at 0 degree C. Addition of 1 microM unlabeled InsP3 was followed by rapid dissociation of the bound ligand, according to a single exponential function with half-time of about 1 min. Scatchard analysis of the binding data was consistent with a single set of high-affinity sites with Kd of 1.1 +/- 0.4 nM and maximal binding capacity of 28 +/- 15 fmol/mg of protein (n = 6). The specificity of Ins[32P]P3 binding to these sites was illustrated by the much weaker affinity for structural analogs such as inositol 1-phosphate, phytic acid, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. To assess the functional relevance of the InsP3 binding sites, the Ca2+-releasing activity of InsP3 was measured in pituitary membrane preparations. In the presence of oligomycin (2.5 micrograms/ml), Ca2+ movements were monitored with the fluorescent indicator fura-2 (free acid). Under these conditions, 1 mM ATP caused rapid uptake of Ca2+ by a vesicular component of the membrane fraction. Addition of InsP3 (50-2000 nM) caused a dose-dependent release of Ca2+ with a half-maximal effect at 240 nM. In the presence of 3% polyethylene glycol, GTP also stimulated calcium release. However, a nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, did not release calcium and completely blocked the effect of GTP. Under physiological conditions within the cytosol, the high-affinity InsP3 binding sites characterized in pituitary membranes could serve as the putative receptors through which InsP3 triggers Ca2+ mobilization in the anterior pituitary gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Coupling of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis to peptide hormone receptors expressed from adrenal and pituitary mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

The expression of several neurotransmitter and drug receptors from injected exogenous mRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes has been demonstrated by electrophysiological measurements of ion channel activation. The expression of specific receptors for peptide hormones in such a translation system would facilitate studies on the structure and regulation of cell-surface receptors as well as their coupling to membrane transduction mechanisms. The expression of receptors for calcium-mobilizing hormones in Xenopus oocytes was sought by analysis of phospholipid turnover in hormone-stimulated oocytes. For this purpose, Xenopus oocytes were injected with mRNA extracted from bovine adrenal and pituitary glands and incubated with myo-[3H]inositol to label plasma-membrane phosphatidylinositol phosphates. The expression of functionally active receptors for angiotensin II (AII) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was demonstrated by the stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphate production by AII and TRH in the mRNA-injected, [3H]inositol-prelabeled oocytes. The ability of AII and TRH to act by way of newly synthesized receptors from mammalian endocrine tissues to stimulate phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate hydrolysis in Xenopus oocytes suggests a generalized and conserved mechanism of receptor coupling to the transduction mechanism responsible for activation of phospholipase C in the plasma membrane.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1987

Stimulation of luteinizing hormone release and cyclic nucleotide production by arachidonic acid in cultured pituitary gonadotrophs.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) release and cyclic guanosine 3',5-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production in rat anterior pituitary cells through a calcium-dependent activation mechanism that involves increased phospholipid turnover and liberation of arachidonic acid. In enriched pituitary gonadotrophs, LH release was stimulated by arachidonic acid and its oxygenated metabolite, 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), in a dose-dependent manner. The prominent LH responses of purified gonadotrophs to arachidonic acid suggest that the secretory actions of arachidonate are exerted primarily on the gonadotroph and do not involve the participation of other pituitary cell types. Preincubation of pituitary cells with stimulatory concentrations of arachidonic acid for up to 120 min did not alter the subsequent LH responses elicited by GnRH, indicating that the secretory mechanism was unimpaired by arachidonate treatment and that no cross-desensitization occurs during sequential exposure of gonadotrophs to the two stimuli of LH release. Cyclic adenosine 3',5-monophosphate (cAMP) production was stimulated by 10 microM arachidonic acid to the same degree (about 2-fold) as by GnRH, but did not parallel the progressive LH response to higher arachidonate concentrations. cGMP production was initially stimulated by addition of arachidonic acid but returned to the control value after 5 min, whereas GnRH typically elicited a prolonged cGMP response. In contrast to the calcium-independent action of arachidonic acid, the stimulatory effect of 5-HETE on LH release required the presence of extracellular Ca2+, as previously observed for GnRH. These findings demonstrate that arachidonic acid and its metabolite, 5-HETE, partially reproduce the actions of GnRH upon LH release and cyclic nucleotide production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factors (ANFs) stimulate guanine 3',5'-monophosphate production but not hormone release in rat pituitary cells: peptide contamination with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist explains luteinizing hormone-releasing activity of certain ANFs.

The effects of atrial natriuretic factors (ANFs) on anterior pituitary hormone secretion and cyclic nucleotide production were investigated in cultured rat pituitary cells. ANF had no effect on ACTH, GH, PRL, and TSH release or on cAMP production either on basal hormone levels or during stimulation of their secretion by the appropriate releasing factor. However, ANF markedly stimulated cGMP production in both mixed anterior pituitary cells and enriched anterior pituitary cell populations fractionated by centrifugal elutriation. Unexpectedly, certain ANF preparations, Bachem rat ANF-(5-28) and rat ANF-(5-25), markedly stimulated LH release from cultured anterior pituitary cells and gonadotroph-enriched elutriated pituitary cells. The same ANFs also displaced [125I-D-Lys6]GnRH ethylamide from binding to anterior pituitary membranes with potencies similar to their LH-releasing activities. Immunoprecipitation of ANF with a specific antiserum abolished the effect of ANF on cGMP production, but did not change the effect of ANF on LH release. In conclusion, ANF did not affect anterior pituitary hormone secretion or cAMP production, but stimulated cGMP formation. The effect of certain ANF preparations on LH release appears to be attributable to peptide contamination with a potent GnRH agonist.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1987

Differential regulation of brain and pituitary corticotropin-releasing factor receptors by corticosterone.

The regulatory actions of CRF during the neuroendocrine response to stress are mediated by specific receptors within the nervous system and the anterior pituitary gland. Glucocorticoids exert negative feedback inhibition on ACTH secretion by interacting at the pituitary corticotrophs and the central nervous system. To determine whether glucocorticoids influence ACTH secretion by regulating the concentration of CRF receptor sites, binding of [125I]Tyr-oCRF to pituitary and brain membrane-rich particles was studied after glucocorticoid treatment. Corticosterone administration (0.5-150 mg/day) for 1-4 days in adult male rats caused a dose-dependent decrease in the number of CRF receptors in the anterior pituitary in parallel with the reduction in ACTH secretion. In the brain, binding studies in membrane-rich fractions or by autoradiography in slide-mounted frozen sections revealed no changes in CRF receptors in the cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, septal area, and olfactory bulb, although circulating corticosterone levels were higher than during stress. The selective down-regulation of anterior pituitary CRF receptors after corticosterone administration, without alterations in brain CRF receptors, is similar to the change in CRF receptors previously reported after adrenalectomy and indicates that receptor regulatory mechanisms in secretory cells differ from those in neural tissue. Furthermore, the decrease in pituitary CRF receptors after physiological increases in circulating glucocorticoids may contribute to the inhibitory effects of adrenal steroids on ACTH secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Control of aldosterone production by angiotensin II is mediated by two guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins.

The involvement of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins in the steroidogenic response of the adrenal glomerulosa to angiotensin II (AII) was investigated by analyzing the effects of Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) on several aspects of AII action. These included receptor binding, stimulation of aldosterone production and GTPase activity, inhibition of cAMP production, and attenuation of the aldosterone response at high angiotensin concentrations. Pretreatment of glomerulosa cells with PT abolished the inhibitory effects of both AII and somatostatin (SRIF) on ACTH-stimulated cAMP production. Under the same incubation conditions, the stimulation of aldosterone secretion by submaximal and maximal steroidogenic concentrations of AII was completely unaffected by the toxin. However, the attenuation of steroid responses seen with supramaximal concentrations of AII was abolished. In addition, the ability of SRIF to inhibit AII-stimulated steroid production was markedly reduced by PT treatment. The binding of [125I]AII to high affinity sites in intact cells and particulate fractions, and modulation of the binding by guanine nucleotides, were unaffected by toxin pretreatment, even under conditions where a 40-41K protein was completely ADP ribosylated. In contrast, the toxin substantially diminished the binding of [125I]Tyr0-SRIF to SRIF receptors in glomerulosa cells (by 50% after 5 h and by 90% after 20 h). These results indicate that Ni or a similar protein probably mediates the inhibition of cAMP formation by AII and the attenuation of the steroid response by high concentrations of AII as well as the inhibitory actions of SRIF in the adrenal glomerulosa cell. Furthermore, the lack of effect of PT on AII binding and stimulation of GTPase activity suggests the existence of an additional pertussis-insensitive guanine nucleotide-regulatory protein that is activated by lower concentrations of AII and mediates the stimulation of aldosterone production.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1987

Dynamic actions of arachidonic acid and protein kinase C in pituitary stimulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

The relative contributions of arachidonic acid (AA)- and protein kinase C-dependent pathways during the immediate LH response to short term stimulation by GnRH were analyzed in perifused anterior pituitary cells cultured on Cytodex beads. The LH response to a 2-min pulse of 10 nM GnRH was biphasic, with a rapid increase to an initial peak, followed by a second peak or shoulder before the gradual return to baseline release. Retinal, which inhibits activation of protein kinase C, reduced the total LH response to GnRH by 35-40% and advanced the termination of the response, but did not alter the height, position, or rate of onset of the initial LH peak. In contrast, pretreatment with the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid decreased the total LH response to GnRH by 60%, reduced the magnitude and latency of the first LH peak, and shortened the duration of the response. Pretreatment with both retinal and nordihydroguaiaretic acid abolished the GnRH-induced LH release. Addition of 2-min pulses of AA induced LH responses of short duration that coincided with the first phase of GnRH-stimulated LH release. Application of 2-min pulses of either tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or dioctanoyl glycerol generated LH responses with delayed onsets that corresponded to the second phase of the GnRH-induced response. The LH response to the combined action of AA and TPA approximated that induced by GnRH. These results suggest that mobilization and metabolism of AA are important in the rapid initial phase of the LH response to GnRH, and that activation of protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms participates in the maintenance of the LH response. During continuous perifusion with 10 nM GnRH, addition of 2-min pulses of 100 nM GnRH and 100 microM AA, but not 100 nM TPA, stimulated further increases in LH release. This suggests that during prolonged GnRH action, LH release is primarily maintained by protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms. The results of this study indicate that GnRH stimulation of LH release requires the coordinated actions of at least two major interrelated mechanisms, namely those activated by AA and/or its metabolites and those maintained by protein kinase C-dependent pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Opiate receptor subtypes in the rat hypothalamus and neurointermediate lobe.

The potent opiate radioligands [3H]etorphine, [3H]ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), and [3H]naloxone, bound specifically and saturably to a single class of membrane-binding sites in rat neurointermediate lobe (NIL), with Kd values of 3.7, 24, and 51 nM, respectively. In the hypothalamus (Ht), [3H]etorphine bound to specific and saturable sites with a Kd of 2.9 nM. Binding-inhibition studies with [3H]etorphine and unlabeled etorphine-HCl as well as [3H]EKC and unlabeled EKC, revealed high and low affinity binding sites in rat Ht and NIL as well as in the neural lobe of the bovine pituitary gland. [3H]naloxone also bound specifically to two classes of sites in Ht membranes, but to only a single class of low affinity sites in NIL membranes. Specific binding represented 80-90% of total [3H]etorphine binding, about 75% of total [3H]EKC binding, and 45-55% of total [3H]naloxone binding at 22 C in NIL and Ht, respectively. Relative binding potencies derived from Ki values for binding-inhibition studies of [3H]etorphine with opioid peptides and opiates were: NIL, etorphine-HCl greater than dynorphin A greater than naloxone-HCl greater than dynorphin-(1-9) greater than beta-endorphin much greater than alpha-neoendorphin approximately (Leu5)enkephalin approximately DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol); Ht, etorphine HCl greater than naloxone-HCl greater than beta-endorphin greater than dynorphin A much greater than DAGO greater than morphiceptin much greater than (Leu5)enkephalin. Specific [3H]etorphine binding was also demonstrable after preincubation of NIL membranes with DAGO and (Leu5)enkephalin and after preincubation of Ht membranes with morphiceptin and (Leu5)enkephalin; such binding could be displaced by nonradioactive dynorphin A. In addition, [3H]etorphine binding to bovine neural lobe was displaceable by naloxone-HCl, with an ED50 of 43 nM. Specific ligands for sigma-opiate receptors, such as (+)SKF 10,047 (N-allylnorcyclazocine), phencyclidine (PCP), and (-)cyclazocine, displaced specifically bound [3H]etorphine and [3H]EKC from NIL membranes only at high (micromolar) concentrations. However, specific [3H]PCP sites were of higher affinity in NIL and Ht membranes, with similar Kd values of 102 and 190 nM respectively, and different concentrations (0.15 and 1.32 pmol/mg protein, respectively). These data have revealed several differences in the opiate-binding properties of rat Ht and NIL membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Calcium-dependent control of corticotropin release in rat anterior pituitary cell cultures.

The role of calcium in the stimulation of ACTH secretion by CRF and other regulators was studied in rat anterior pituitary cells. Incubation of cultured pituitary cells in normal calcium with CRF, vasopressin, angiotensin II, or norepinephrine increased the rate of ACTH release for up to 45 min and then became constant for up to 3 h. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the initial rate of stimulated secretion was unaffected, but after 45 min the secretion rate decreased by 40% for CRF and to a greater extent for the other stimuli. Addition of calcium after 90 min in calcium-free medium restored the CRF-stimulated ACTH release rate to the control value. The absence of extracellular calcium had no effect on CRF-stimulated cAMP accumulation, but intracellular calcium depletion by preincubation of the cells with EGTA completely inhibited CRF-stimulated cAMP production and ACTH release. The voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist nitrendipine and the calcium channel agonist BK 8644 had little effect on the CRF-stimulated ACTH release rate, while they, respectively, inhibited and enhanced the stimulation by vasopressin and high potassium. In calcium-depleted cells incubated with the calcium ionophore A23187, CRF stimulation of cAMP production and ACTH release were dependent upon extracellular calcium concentrations from 0.1-100 microM. These findings have defined two phases in the stimulation of ACTH release by CRF and cAMP-independent stimuli in cultured pituitary cells: an early phase with a rapid increase in the ACTH release rate which is independent of extracellular calcium, and a late phase of constant secretion rate, with partial extracellular calcium dependence for the stimulation by CRF and complete calcium dependence for the stimulation by non-cAMP-mediated stimuli.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Receptors and secretory actions of sigma/phencyclidine agonists in anterior pituitary cells.

Opiate receptor subtypes in the adenohypophysis were analyzed by binding studies with tritiated etorphine, phencyclidine (PCP), and N-allylnormetazocine [(+)SKF 10,047] in anterior pituitary cell (AC) cultures and membranes, and in cell populations separated by centrifugal elutriation. In cultured AC, specific binding of [3H]etorphine revealed two sets of saturable sites with Kd values of 5 nM and about 10 microM. The high affinity [3H]etorphine sites were present in low concentration and represent specific opiate receptors that mediate the direct inhibitory actions of etorphine and morphine on LH release in vitro. The more abundant low affinity sites, observed in the presence of higher concentrations of unlabeled opiates, exhibited the properties of sigma/PCP receptors. In intact AC and pituitary membranes, specific [3H]PCP binding was saturable with respect to labeled and unlabeled ligand concentrations, and Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of relatively high affinity [3H]PCP-binding sites (Kd = 98 nM in pituitary membranes). Relative potencies derived from inhibition of [3H]PCP binding in AC by PCP-related drugs were: (-) cyclazocine greater than dexoxadrol greater than N-[1-(2-Thienyl)cyclohexil]piperidine greater than PCP greater than (+)SKF 10,047 greater than levaxodral greater than (+)cyclazocine less than (-)SKF 10,047 greater than (+)ethylketocyclazocine greater than haloperidol greater than (-)ethylketocyclazocine. In elutriated pituitary cells, specific [3H]PCP binding was correlated with the LH content of the individual cell fractions. The binding of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 was also specific and saturable in AC and anterior pituitary membranes, which contained two classes of binding sites with Kd values of 87 nM and 3.3 microM. In fractionated pituitary cells, specific binding of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 was similar in enriched lactotrophs and gonadotrophs. The high affinity class of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047-binding sites probably corresponds to sigma-receptors, and the low affinity class to PCP receptors. In contrast to the inhibitory actions of opiates on LH release in vitro, PCP and (+)SKF 10,047 stimulated LH release in cultured AC and enhanced the secretory responses to GnRH as well as KCl. The stimulation of LH release by PCP was dependent on extracellular calcium and is probably related to increased transmembrane calcium influx. The stimulatory sites may correspond to selective sigma/PCP receptors, and could represent a distinct nonopiate receptor subtype with the potential for modulation of gonadotropin secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Involvement of vasopressin in the down-regulation of pituitary corticotropin-releasing factor receptors after adrenalectomy.

The role of vasopressin (VP) in the regulation of pituitary corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors was studied by examining the effects of adrenalectomy and VP infusion on pituitary CRF receptors in genetically VP-deficient rats (di/di) and Long-Evans control rats. Binding studies with [125I]Tyr-ovine CRF in 30,000 X g anterior pituitary membrane-rich fractions revealed similar characteristics for the CRF receptors in Long-Evans and di/di rats, with Kd values of 2.4 +/- 0.6 and 1.9 +/- 0.2 nM, respectively, and receptor concentrations of 278 +/- 31 and 286 +/- 43 fmol/mg, respectively. Two days after adrenalectomy, the pituitary CRF receptor concentration decreased by 72 +/- 4.2% in Long-Evans rats, but by only 20.3 +/- 5.6% in di/di rats. CRF receptor affinity was unchanged after adrenalectomy (Kd = 1.7 +/- 0.5 nM; n = 8). To determine whether VP deficiency is responsible for the smaller decrease in CRF receptor in di/di rats, the effect of exogenous VP infusion (100 ng/min) by sc osmotic minipumps was studied in adrenalectomized di/di rats. Two days after adrenalectomy, pituitary CRF receptors were reduced by 21 +/- 8% in control di/di rats, whereas a 77.7 +/- 1.8% decrease was observed in VP-infused di/di rats, comparable to the effect of adrenalectomy in Long-Evans rats. VP infusion also caused a significant 35 +/- 2% decrease in CRF receptors in the pituitaries of sham-operated di/di rats, with no change in CRF receptor affinity. In Sprague-Dawley rats, VP or CRF infusion (100 ng/min) decreased pituitary CRF receptors by 14 +/- 1.9% and 46 +/- 3%, respectively. However, the combined infusion of both peptides caused a 65% +/- 4.2 decrease, similar to that observed after adrenalectomy. In vitro incubation of quartered pituitaries with VP or CRF for 4 h reduced CRF receptors by 23.1 +/- 8.2% and 38.2 +/- 3.8%, respectively, while simultaneous preincubation with both peptides was followed by a decrease of 55.3 +/- 5.3%. These findings indicate that increased hypothalamic release of VP contributes to the down-regulation of pituitary CRF receptors after adrenalectomy.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1987

Receptors and actions of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the primate pituitary gland.

Receptors for CRH were identified in the pituitary gland of several primate species, and their binding characteristics were compared to the ability of CRH to elicit ACTH and cAMP responses in vitro. Autoradiographic analysis of the binding of [125I]Tyr-ovine CRH to frozen pituitary sections revealed CRH receptors in the intermediate and anterior lobes of human, marmoset, and cynomolgus monkey pituitaries. In the cynomolgus monkey, a high density of CRH receptors was present throughout the anterior and intermediate lobes. In the human pituitary, binding was concentrated in the anteromedial portion of the gland, whereas in the marmoset, binding was dense in the intermediate lobe and scattered as clusters throughout the anterior lobe. In membrane-rich fractions from the cynomolgus pituitary binding of [125I]Tyr-ovine CRH was time and temperature dependent, and was specific for CRH-related peptides; specific binding was increased by divalent cations and inhibited by guanyl nucleotides. Scatchard analyses of the binding data revealed a single class of high affinity sites [Kd, 1.93 +/- 0.23 (+/- SEM) nM], with a receptor concentration of 605 +/- 121 fmol/mg. In marmoset pituitary membranes, there were fewer receptors (200 +/- 15 fmol/mg), in agreement with the lower autoradiographic density of CRH binding. In anterior pituitary cell cultures from cynomolgus monkeys, CRH caused a dose-dependent stimulation of cAMP production and ACTH release, with half-maximum effective concentrations in the range of the CRH receptor affinity. Vasopressin and norepinephrine stimulated ACTH release to a much lesser extent, but both potentiated the stimulatory effect of CRH. Angiotensin II had no effect alone, but it also potentiated the effect of CRH. These data demonstrate the presence of CRH receptors in the primate pituitary, with characteristics similar to those in other species in their binding properties, coupling to adenylate cyclase, and functional interactions with other regulators of ACTH secretion that mediate the stimulatory effect of the peptide in the corticotroph.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Sustained inhibitory actions of a potent antagonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in postmenopausal women.

The inhibitory time course and dose-related characteristics of a new potent GnRH antagonist peptide, [N-acetyl-D-pCl-Phe1,2-D-Trp3-D-Lys6-D-Ala10]GnRH, on gonadotropin secretion were studied in nine postmenopausal women. Effective suppression of gonadotropin secretion was correlated with increased circulating concentrations of immunoassayable GnRH antagonist. Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion was achieved by a parenteral dose of 300 micrograms/kg GnRH antagonist. This dose reduced plasma bioactive LH concentrations by 49-59%, immunoactive LH by 41-46%, and immunoactive FSH by 25-40%. Blockade of gonadotropin secretion was sustained for 10-28 h after a single injection of the synthetic decapeptide. This prolonged action was associated with significant plasma protein binding of the GnRH antagonist and mean plasma half-times of disappearance of 1.5 and 21 h for the fast and slow components, respectively. In summary, we have described the biological actions of a potent GnRH antagonist that binds avidly to serum proteins, has a prolonged plasma residence time, and exerts sustained inhibitory effects on bio- and immunoactive LH release in man. The extended duration of action of this compound may reflect in part its significant binding to circulating plasma proteins.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Physicochemical characterization of photoaffinity-labeled angiotensin II receptors.

Specific receptor sites for angiotensin II (AII) were analyzed in the adrenal cortex and other target tissues including liver, anterior pituitary gland, and smooth muscle, after covalent labeling with the radioactive photoaffinity analog 125I-[Sar1,(4-N3)Phe8]-AII. The photoreactive AII derivative retained high affinity for adrenal receptors and full steroidogenic activity in adrenal glomerulosa cells. In bovine adrenal cortex, covalent labeling of AII receptors by the photoreactive analog was specifically inhibited by [Sar1]AII with an IC50 of about 5 nM. The Mr of the covalent AII-receptor complex during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the labeled protein under reducing conditions was 58,000. Under non-reducing conditions, a minor band with Mr of 105,000 was also observed. Two labeled species were also found during gel permeation chromatography of the detergent-solubilized complex, with Mrs of 64,000 and 86,000. The pl of the solubilized photolabeled complex was absorbed to wheat germ lectin Sepharose 6MB and could be eluted by N-acetylglucosamine. The Mrs of specific AII-binding sites in several target tissues, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed target tissues, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed significant differences within and between species. The most striking differences were between rat adrenal cortex (79,000) and both rat liver (60,000) and bovine adrenal cortex (58,000). After enzymatic deglycosylation, the Mr of the major component present in the bovine and rat adrenal cortex decreased by 40% and 55% to 35,000 and 34,000, respectively, suggesting that variations in carbohydrate content contribute to the physical heterogeneity of AII receptors in individual target tissues.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1987

Regulation of LH receptors and steroidogenesis in the foetal rat testis in vivo.

Foetal rats were injected with high doses of hCG or ovine LH (oLH) to determine if LH receptors were down-regulated and steroidogenesis impaired as is seen in the adult animal. Foetuses injected in utero with 52 micrograms/kg hCG had a prompt increase in intratesticular testosterone, demonstrating that the injected substance reached the foetal testis. Pregnant mothers were laparotomized and each foetus in one uterine horn injected with 52 micrograms/kg hCG. Twenty-four hours later, the foetal testes from both uterine horns were collected and free LH receptor content measured. In foetuses injected with hCG, free LH receptors were significantly reduced. LH receptors in foetal testes from the contralateral horn were not significantly different from those in controls. Foetuses injected with 52 micrograms/kg hCG at 17.5 days of gestation showed a delayed response in LH receptor up-regulation when compared with neonatal rats injected with comparable doses of hCG. Injection of foetal and neonatal rats with 400 micrograms/kg oLH showed no evidence of down-regulation, as is seen in the adult. Testes from foetuses injected with 52 micrograms/kg hCG 3 days earlier showed an increase in both basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone production during 3 h of incubation when compared with controls. These results show that the rat foetal testis in vivo does not demonstrate down-regulation of LH receptors or steroidogenic lesions of the testosterone synthetic pathway when exposed to high levels of hCG as does the adult rat testis. These results from the foetal testis in vivo are in agreement with results obtained from the foetal testis in vitro and the neonatal testis in vivo.

Animals↗