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Pyroglutamyl-phenylalanyl-proline amide attenuates thyrotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated insulin secretion in perifused rat islets and insulin-secreting clonal beta-cell lines.

TRH immunoreactivity has been detected in the pancreas of man and rat and localized to the islets of Langerhans. We studied the effect of synthetic TRH and the related tripeptide pyroglutamyl-phenylalanyl-proline amide (EFP) on isolated perifused rat islets and the glucose-responsive clonal cell lines HIT-T15 and RIN5AH. TRH at 10 nM potentiated [0.5 +/- 0.1 (control) vs. 0.8 +/- 0.1 (TRH) pmol/10(6) cells per 120 min; mean +/- SEM; n = 6; P < 0.001; n = 15], whereas EFP from 1 nM upwards suppressed glucose-stimulated insulin secretion [0.8 +/- 0.1 (control) vs. 0.5 +/- 0.1 (EFP) pmol/10(6) cells per 120 min; P < 0.001; n = 12) in the cell lines. Further, EFP reversed TRH-stimulated insulin release. Similar responses were observed in perifused isolated rat islets at the tested dose of 1 microM. Gel permeation chromatography of rat adult and neonatal whole pancreas, isolated islets, and HIT cell extracts demonstrated the elution of total TRH-like immunoreactivity (t-TRH-LI) in the same position as synthetic TRH. Cation exchange analysis of the t-TRH-LI from rat adult pancreas and HIT cell extracts showed that neutral TRH-like peptides corresponding to synthetic EFP were also present. Reverse-phase fast protein liquid chromatographic analysis of t-TRH-LI in the unbound fraction of these extracts subjected to anion exchange columns, also demonstrated peaks corresponding to synthetic EFP. We conclude that TRH potentiates, whereas EFP inhibits, glucose-stimulated insulin release in isolated perifused islets and the cell lines. In addition, EFP reversed the stimulatory effect of TRH. The presence of EFP-LI in rat adult and neonatal pancreas and HIT cell extracts suggests it may contribute in the modulation of pancreatic endocrine function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Carboxylmethylation of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A in insulin-secreting cells: evidence for functional consequences on enzyme activity and insulin secretion.

We report the carboxylmethylation of a 36-kDa protein in intact normal rat islets and clonal beta (INS-1) cells. This protein was predominantly cytosolic. Its carboxylmethylation, as assessed by vapor phase equilibration assay, was resistant to inhibition by N-acetyl-S-trans, trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine, a competitive substrate for cysteine methyl transferases. These data suggest that the methylated C-terminal amino acid is not cysteine. The methylated protein was identified as the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) by immunoblotting. The carboxylmethylation of the PP2Ac increased its catalytic activity, suggesting a key role in the functional regulation of PP2A. Therefore, we studied okadaic acid, a selective inhibitor of PP2A that acts by an unknown mechanism. Okadaic acid (but not 1-nor-okadaone, its inactive analog) inhibited (Ki = 10 nM) the carboxylmethylation of PP2Ac and phosphatase activity in the cytosolic fraction (from normal rat islets and clonal beta-cells) as well as in intact rat islets. Furthermore, methylated PP2Ac underwent rapid demethylation (t 1/2 = 40 min) catalyzed by a methyl esterase localized in islet homogenates. Ebelactone, a purported inhibitor of methyl esterases, significantly delayed (> 200 min) the demethylation of PP2Ac. Furthermore, ebelactone reversibly inhibited glucose- and ketoisocaproate-induced insulin secretion from normal rat islets. These data identify, for the first time, a methylation-demethylation cycle for PP2Ac in the beta-cell and suggest a key functional relationship between PP2A activity and the carboxylmethylation of its catalytic subunit. These findings thus suggest a negative modulatory role for PP2A in nutrient-induced insulin exocytosis.

Animals↗

Secretion of a variant of human single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator without an N-glycosylation site in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris and characterization of the secreted product.

Human single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator without an N-glycosylation site (scu-PA-Q302) was produced in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris using the shortened prepeptide sequence of a fungal aspartic proteinase, Mucor pusillus rennin (MPR). The level of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) immunoreactive material in YPM medium was 0.47 mg/l; however, most of the secreted product had been processed to smaller polypeptides. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of major species was identical to that of the low molecular weight two-chain u-PA. Some approaches to minimizing the proteolysis of scu-PA-Q302 were attempted. Addition of Triton X-100, L-arginine and ammonium phosphate to the YPM medium minimized the proteolysis of scu-PA-Q302 and increased the yield of immunoreactive material to approximately 5 mg/l. Use of proteinase A- or proteinase B-deficient strains of yeast did not reduce the degradation. Co-expression of scu-PA-Q302 and urinary trypsin inhibitor resulted in partial reduction of the major species of proteolysis. Scu-PA-Q302 was purified from the culture supernatant of the improved medium by two successive chromatographies on Phenyl-Sepharose and S-Sepharose. The purified protein had a molecular weight of 47 kDa. It did not contain detectable N-linked oligosaccharides, but contained O-linked oligosaccharides attached to the light chain. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the purified preparation showed that the shortened prepeptide sequence of MPR was correctly processed by the Pichia yeast. Scu-PA-Q302 closely resembles natural scu-PA with respect to its enzymatic activity against the chromogenic substrate S-2444 and its in vitro fibrinolytic properties.

Arginine↗

Secretion granule formation in the rabbit parotid gland after isoprenaline-induced secretion: stereological reconstructions of granule populations.

The development of the secretion granule population of rabbit parotid glands after isoprenaline (IPR)-induced degranulation has been analyzed at the E.M. level using stereological techniques. Young male New Zealand White rabbits were sacrificed 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 hours after IPR administration and the granule population compared with those of starved controls. In control glands a third of cell volume was occupied by stored secretory material, and it was estimated that, on average, cells contained 386 granules. The granule population as a whole had a mean diameter of 0.94 micrometers, with a unimodal positively skewed size distribution. Two hours after IPR treatment overall granule volume density was only 15% of that of control glands, but there was evidence that the process of restitution had already begun. At 8 hours about a fifth of acinar cell volume was occupied by electron-dense granules with an estimated mean diameter of only 0.58 micrometers, and the population as a whole was more strongly skewed than in the controls. In the later stages of restitution (12 and 16 hours), the volume of stored secretory material continued to rise, mean granule diameter increased, the size-frequency distribution became less skewed and the estimated number of granules per cell fell to 277 by 16 hours, suggesting that some granule fusion occurs during development. The analyses are discussed in relation to the techniques employed, and the results are equated with other independent evidence of the mode of granule genesis.

Animals↗

Mycobacteria induce CD4+ T cells that are cytotoxic and display Th1-like cytokine secretion profile: heterogeneity in cytotoxic activity and cytokine secretion levels.

Protective immunity against mycobacteria is dependent on antigen-specific T cells. Current evidence suggests that not only helper T cells that activate infected macrophages but also cytotoxic T cells (CTL) that lyse infected macrophages are involved in protection. Mycobacterium-specific CD4+ CTL are readily detectable among primary peripheral T cells but what proportion of CD4+ T cells display cytotoxic activity is not known. Whether the cytotoxic CD4+ T cells are identical to or distinct from those that produce interferon (IFN)-gamma is also unknown. In addition, studies on CTL in mycobacterial infections have focused primarily on selected antigens like hsp65 but have not analyzed systematically whether other mycobacterial antigens can activate CTL as well. These issues are relevant not only to a further understanding of protective immunity and immunopathology but also may have implications for the design of effective vaccines. To start addressing these issues, we have studied a large panel of CD4+ T cell clones specific for a broad range of mycobacterial antigens, and analyzed their ability to lyse mycobacterium-pulsed target cells and to release IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4. Our results show that the vast majority of CD4+ T cell clones are able to lyse mycobacterial antigen-pulsed target cells, and that those CTL can be triggered by a wide variety of mycobacterial antigens. CD4+ CTL released high levels of IFN-gamma, but low or nondetectable levels of IL-4. In contrast, control tetanus toxoid-specific T cell clones or lines displayed poor or weak cytotoxic activity and released high levels of IL-4. The antimycobacterial clones appeared to be heterogeneous in their levels of cytotoxic activity and IFN-gamma release. Interestingly one T cell clone was able to lyse only mycobacterium-pulsed macrophages but not B cells suggesting possible selectivity in target cell recognition for some CTL. These in vitro data have to be interpreted with some caution. Nevertheless they confirm and significantly extend previous observations and suggest that mycobacteria preferentially induce CD4+ T helper type 1 (Th1)-like cells that display cytotoxic activity, and release high levels of IFN-gamma but no or little IL-4. The induction of such Th1 like cells is specific for mycobacteria since tetanus toxoid induced T cells that were poorly or not cytolytic and secreted high levels of IL-4.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Human T helper (Th) cell lineage commitment is not directly linked to the secretion of IFN-gamma or IL-4: characterization of Th cells isolated by FACS based on IFN-gamma and IL-4 secretion.

Upon activation in vitro, only a fraction of the bulk human T helper cell cultures secret the hallmark Th1/2 cytokines (IFN-gamma for Th1 and IL-4 for Th2, respectively). It is uncertain whether these IFN-gamma-/IL-4- cells are differentiated Th1 or Th2 cells. Here, we have characterized live IFN-gamma+, IL-4+ and IFN-gamma-/IL-4- cells isolated from Th cell cultures treated under Th1 or Th2 polarizing conditions by employing affinity matrix capture technology. RNA samples from the sorted cells were analyzed by real time RT-PCR and microarrays. The double negative cells from either Th1 or Th2 cultures expressed lower levels of Th1/Th2 marker cytokine genes (IFNgamma, IL4, and IL5). However, they were comparable with the IFN-gamma+ or IL-4+ cells in the expression levels of other Th1/Th2 marker genes (GATA3, Tbet, and IL12Rbeta2). Most importantly, these double negative cells were already committed in their Th1/Th2 lineages. Gene expression profiling analysis showed that very few previously identified Th1/Th2 marker genes were differentially expressed between the IFN-gamma or IL-4 producers and the non-producers, further underscoring the similarity between these two groups.

Cell Differentiation↗

A Trypanosoma cruzi antigen signals CD11b+ cells to secrete cytokines that promote polyclonal B cell proliferation and differentiation into antibody-secreting cells.

Microbial-induced polyclonal activation of B cells is a common event in several forms of infections, and is believed to play a crucial role both for enhancing the production of specific antibodies and for maintenance of B cell memory. Therefore, a major challenge in biomedical research is the identification of pathogen-derived products capable of rapidly mounting B cell expansion and differentiation. Here we report that glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) stimulates polyclonal proliferation and differentiation of naive B cells. This stimulation was found to be T cell independent, but to absolutely require CD11b(+) cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that stimulation of CD11b(+) cells by GDH leads to the production of IL-6, IL-10 and B cell-activating factor (BAFF), all of which combine to powerfully induce B cell expansion. Importantly, IL-6 and IL-10 further drive B cell terminal differentiation into plasma cells by up-regulating critical transcription factors and immunoglobulin secretion. Our data provide the first evidence that a protozoan antigen can induce BAFF production by accessory cells, which in concert with other cytokines trigger polyclonal B cell activation.

Animals↗

Sea star factor blocks development of T-dependent antibody secreting clones by preventing lymphokine secretion.

Sea star factor (SSF), a protein of 39 kDa purified from macrophage-like coelomocytes of the echinoderm Asterias forbesi, has potent immunosuppressive effects on T-dependent but not T-independent antibody responses in vivo. SSF at a concentration of 0.5 microgram/ml markedly inhibits T-dependent antibody production in vitro by fluorescein (Flu)-specific B cells responding in clonal microculture to antigenic stimulation with Flu-conalbumin via the conalbumin-specific T cells D10.G4.1 (D10). At this concentration of SSF, Ig secretion induced by a T cell-independent stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is not affected. Inhibition of antibody production in T-dependent microcultures by SSF can be completely overcome in a dose-dependent fashion by addition of lymphokine-rich supernatants from stimulated cultures of D10 cells. The possibility that SSF suppresses production of requisite cytokine growth factors from T cells was substantiated by the finding that SSF diminishes concentrations of stimulatory cytokines detectable in supernatants from antigen-stimulated cultures. Nevertheless, levels of intracytoplasmic mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5 are not detectably altered by concentrations of SSF that suppress antibody production. Furthermore, when cultures of D10 cells stimulated in the presence of SSF are subjected to freezing and thawing to release intracytoplasmic lymphokines, total levels of stimulatory cytokines are not lower than those in cultures without SSF. These results suggest that SSF inhibits antibody responses by limiting the availability of lymphokines produced by helper T cells. The mechanism for this inhibition may involve either direct effects of SSF on T cells or a block in effective T cell-B cell interaction.

Animals↗

[Determination of the factors Gm(1,2,4,5,21) and Inv(1) in human secretions: saliva, sweat, nasal secretion and semen (author's transl)].

If there is enough stain material available Gm and InV factors can be proved to be present in semen. Contamination by nasal or vaginal secretions should be taken into account. Sweat, however, does not interfere with the determination. In saliva, InV but no Gm properties were demonstrable. Stamp glue reacts unspecifically with InV antiserum and could therefore be a source of error. The conclusive value of Gm and InV findings as evidence in court was derived from the phenotype frequencies obtained in blood samples of 400 unrelated persons.

Antibody Formation↗

Structural characterization of protein secretion genes of the bacterial phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris: relatedness to secretion systems of other gram-negative bacteria.

The nucleotide sequence was determined of a 5.3 kb region of the Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris genome carrying a gene cluster encoding protein secretion and pathogenicity functions. A putative promoter sequence and five open reading frames (ORF) which may be part of an operon were revealed. The five predicted primary translation products comprise 531, 390, 147, 169 and 138 amino acids with Mr values of 58,854, 42,299, 15,548, 18,214 and 15,108 respectively. A sixth, partial ORF is also present. Between ORF1 and ORF2 is a sequence of unknown function showing 7 bp duplications. The deduced amino acid sequence of ORF1 is related to the Klebsiella pneumoniae PulE protein, to the Bacillus subtilis ComG ORF1 and to the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB ORF11 products. In addition, the deduced amino acid sequence of ORF2 showed homology to the PulF and to the ComG ORF2 products. The proteins encoded by ORF3, 4 and 5 showed amino acid homology to PulG, H and I products respectively. The proteins encoded by ORF2, 3, 4 and 5 showed significant hydrophobic domains which may represent membrane-spanning regions. By contrast the protein encoded by ORF1 was largely hydrophilic and had two putative nucleoside triphosphate binding sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanism of NaCl secretion in rectal gland tubules of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias). III. Effects of stimulation of secretion by cyclic AMP.

Segments of rectal gland tubules (RGT) the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were perfused in vitro to study the cellular mechanism by which NaCl secretion is stimulated. Transepithelial PD (PDte), transepithelial resistance (Rte), the PD across the basolateral membrane (PDbl), the fractional resistance of the lumen membrane (FR1), and the cellular activities for Cl-, Na+, and K+ (alpha cell x) were measured. In series 1 the effects of stimulation (S) (dbcAMP 10(-4, adenosine 10(-4), and forskolin 10(-6) mol x 1(-1) on these parameters were recorded and compared to nonstimulated state (NS). PDte increased from -1.9 +/- 0.2 mV to -11.0 +/- 0.9 mV (n = 51). PDbl depolarized from -86 +/- 1 to -74 +/- 1.4 mV (n =52), Rte fell from 29 +/- 2.8 to 21 +/- 2 omega cm2 (n = 23), and FR1 fell from 0.96 +/- 0.005 to 0.79 +/- 0.04 (n = 9). alpha cell K+ was constant (123 +/- 13 versus 128 +/- 17 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 6), but alpha cell cl- fell significantly from 48 +/- 4 to 41 +/- 3 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 7). alpha cell Na+ increased from 11 +/- 2.1 to 29.5 +/- 6.6 mmol x 1(-1) (n = 4). In series 2 the conductivity properties were examined by rapid K+, and Cl- concentration steps on the basolateral and luminal cell side respectively in NS and S states. In NS-segments reduction of bath K+ led to a hyperpolarization of PDbl with a mean slope of 28 +/- 1.3 mV/decade (n = 9) (as compared to 19 mV/decade for S-state).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Benzyl-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosaminide inhibits the sialylation and the secretion of mucins by a mucin secreting HT-29 cell subpopulation.

We have analysed the mucins synthesized by the HT-29 MTX cell subpopulation, derived from the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells through a selective pressure with methotrexate (Lesuffleur et al., 1990, Cancer Res 50: 6334-43), in the presence of benzyl-N-acetyl-alpha-galactosaminide (GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl), which is a potential competitive inhibitor of the beta 1,3-galactosyltransferase that synthesizes the T-antigen. The main observation was a 13-fold decrease in the sialic acid content of mucins after 24 h of exposure to 5 mM GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl. This effect was accompanied by an increased reactivity of these mucins to peanut lectin, testifying to the higher amount of T-antigen. The second observation was a decrease in the secretion of the mucins by GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl treated cells. The decrease in mucin sialylation was achieved through the in situ beta-galactosylation of GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl into Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl, which acts as a competitive substrate of Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase, as shown by the intracellular accumulation of NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha-O-benzyl in treated cells.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

Study on the mechanism of abnormal growth hormone (GH) secretion in anorexia nervosa: no evidence of involvement of a low somatomedin-C level in the abnormal GH secretion.

The response of plasma growth hormone (GH) to an iv injection of synthetic human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGHRF-44) (2 micrograms/kg bw) was studied in 23 patients with anorexia nervosa. The basal plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C (Sm-C) in these patients were also measured. Basal plasma GH levels were above normal in 8 out of 23 patients and an exaggerated GH response to hGHRF-44 compared to that in age-matched normal females was found in 9 patients. Mean basal plasma Sm-C concentration in the patients was 0.41 +/- 0.04 U/ml (mean +/- SE), which was in the low normal limit. When 6 patients were reexamined after their weight gain of 4-18 kg as well as their normalization of basal plasma Sm-C levels, their elevation of basal plasma GH level was lowered and the responsiveness to hGHRF-44 improved. However, there was no significant correlation between the Sm-C concentration and basal plasma GH level as well as the integrated GH response to hGHRF-44 expressed as the area under the curve (OhGH). These findings, therefore, suggest that some factor(s) other than the lowered plasma Sm-C level are involved in the mechanism of abnormal GH secretion in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Adolescent↗

Effect of rearing conditions on production of sternal gland secretion, and identification of minor components in the sternal gland secretion of the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata.

Production of the male specific compound, 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate by the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) was dramatically affected by rearing conditions. Male bugs kept isolated after eclosion produced an average of 1,948 ng of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate per bug, whereas male bugs reared in groups of 5-8 bugs produced an average of only 4 ng of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate per bug. Same-sex or mixed-sex pairs of bugs produced less than 50 ng per bug. Male bugs kept isolated for 1 wk and then grouped for 1 wk produced 3 ng of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate per bug, whereas male bugs grouped first and then isolated produced 135 ng of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate. A total of 11 minor components in relative amounts of less than 1% of the major 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecyl isovalerate were found in the sternal gland secretion. These included 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecanol, acetate, propionate, and butyrate esters of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecanol, and isovalerate or valerate esters of homologs of 6,10,13-trimethyltetradecanol.

Animals↗

Post-translational modifications and binding properties of the apically secreted 80-kDa glycoprotein from Madin-Darby canine kidney cells: similarities to the C-terminal portion of the basolaterally secreted fibronectin.

Apically secreted 80-kDa glycoprotein (gp 80) from Madin-Darby canine kidney cells was found to be immunoprecipitated by the polyclonal antiserum against fibronectin or a monoclonal antibody specific for the fibronectin C-terminal fibrin binding domain. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), gp 80 migrated as a doublet band under nonreducing conditions. Under reducing conditions, gp 80 was resolved into three distinct bands, respectively of 45-, 40-, and 35-kDa molecular mass. Analysis by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE revealed that gp 80 exists in two molecular forms: one consisting of a 45-kDa subunit and a 40-kDa subunit, and one consisting of a 45-kDa subunit and a 35-kDa subunit. V-8 protease mapping indicated the 40 and 35-kDa subunits as being of the same homologous group and also as bearing partial homology to the 45-kDa subunit. Radioactive labeling revealed that labeled gp 80 was subjected to covalent modifications by sulfation and phosphorylation. Sulfate analysis showed that [35S]sulfate-labeled gp 80 contained ca. 2.45 +/- 0.07% tyrosine-bound [35S]sulfate with the rest being presumably carbohydrate-bound. [32P]-Phosphate-labeled gp 80, on the other hand, was found to contain serine-O-phosphate as the predominant phosphorylated amino acid residue. Employing the affinity gel fractionation technique, it was shown that gp 80 exhibited binding affinities toward heparin and fibrin. Binding of gp 80 to heparin-agarose or fibrin-Sepharose, however, was inhibited in the presence of added fibronectin or the monoclonal antibody. Tryptic peptide mapping revealed common peptide spots between fibronectin and the three subunits of gp 80. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that fibronectin could be recognized and bound by anti-gp 80 antibodies. These results indicate that gp 80 bears both structural and functional similarities to the C-terminal portion of the fibronectin molecule.

Animals↗

Toxocara canis: monoclonal antibodies to carbohydrate epitopes of secreted (TES) antigens localize to different secretion-related structures in infective larvae.

The major secreted glycoproteins of Toxocara canis larvae appear to be derived from two specialized organs within the nematode organism. Using immunogold electron microscopy, we have analyzed the binding patterns of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Tcn-1 to Tcn-8) reactive with Toxocara excretory-secretory (TES) antigens. We find, first, that the esophageal gland and lumen are strongly reactive with monoclonals Tcn-4, Tcn-5, and Tcn-8, and because the posterior portion of the gut is closed, we hypothesize that products of this gland are released through the oral aperture. Second, a distinct anti-TES antibody (Tcn-2) localizes solely to the midbody secretory column, which opens onto the cuticle at a secretory pore. Thus, the secretory apparatus is probably functional in this stage of parasite as an important source of TES products. Only one monoclonal, Tcn-7, can bind to both esophageal and secretory structures. In addition, another antibody, Tcn-3, binds both to the epicuticle and to a TES antigen, but our data do not directly determine whether antigens located in the cuticle are subsequently released. Thus there are at least two, and possibly three, independent sources of TES antigens within Toxocara larvae.

Animals↗

Inhibin secretion during the rat estrous cycle: relationships to FSH secretion and FSH beta subunit mRNA concentrations.

Serum inhibin and FSH and FSH beta subunit mRNA levels were measured at 3h intervals throughout the 4 day estrous cycle in female rats and hourly between 1000 and 2400 h of proestrus. On proestrus, serum inhibin concentrations fell during the late morning-early afternoon, then increased transiently during the late afternoon gonadotropin surges. Inhibin levels decreased during the late evening of proestrus, coincident with the FSH surge-related rise in FSH beta mRNA levels. Serum inhibin remained relatively stable during estrus and early metestrus, but rose during the late evening of metestrus and remained elevated until early diestrus. FSH beta mRNA levels were elevated on late estrus and early metestrus and declined during the evening of metestrus as serum inhibin levels increased. These data show that concentrations of serum inhibin change during the estrous cycle and that a general inverse relationship exists between serum inhibin and FSH levels and FSH beta mRNA concentrations in the pituitary. This suggests that inhibin may inhibit FSH beta gene expression and FSH secretion during the 4 day cycle in female rats.

Animals↗

Intratesticular regulation of testosterone secretion: comparison of the effects and interactions of hCG, an LHRH agonist and testicular interstitial fluid on Leydig cell testosterone secretion in vitro.

The stimulatory effects on Leydig cell testosterone secretion of a polypeptide(s) factor present in testicular interstitial fluid (IF) were compared with those of hCG and an LHRH agonist (LHRH-A). The actions of IF and LHRH-A were similar in showing (1) a delayed onset of action, (2) enhancement of testosterone production in response to a maximally stimulating concentration (5 nM) of hCG, and (3) near cessation of stimulation following their removal from the incubation medium. However, addition of an LHRH antagonist blocked only the actions of LHRH-A. Moreover, IF continued to stimulate testosterone production up to at least 20 h either on its own or in the presence of 5 nM hCG, whereas the stimulatory effects of LHRH-A disappeared beyond 6 h. IF was also able to enhance testosterone production in response to LHRH-A or in response to hCG + LHRH-A. IF enhanced testosterone production over 4-20 h in response to all doses of hCG and increasing concentrations of IF caused dose-dependent increments in the rate of hCG (5 nM) stimulated testosterone production. With submaximally stimulating doses of hCG or with LHRH-A alone, the stimulatory effect of IF was more or less additive, whereas with maximally stimulating doses of hCG the effect of IF was clearly synergistic. Thus, whereas the rate of testosterone production by Leydig cells in response to 5 nM hCG declined progressively from 4 to 20 h, addition of IF attenuated or prevented this decline. These findings have implications with respect to the physiological control of intratesticular testosterone levels and with respect to the regulation of steroidogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗