No abstract

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is thought to play a hypophysiotropic role, but little is known of the identity of PACAP-stimulated cells in the pituitary, the nature of the PACAP receptors on specific cell types, and the effector systems for these receptors. Here we describe the effects of PACAP in alpha T3-1 cells, a gonadotrope-derived cell line. In these cells, PACAP38 causes concentration-dependent increases in cAMP accumulation (EC50, 3 nM), [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]IP) production (EC50, 20 nM), and the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The Ca2+ response is biphasic and is sustained only in Ca(2+)-containing medium. Intact alpha T3-1 cells possess a single class of [125I]PACAP27-binding sites (Kd, 3.3 nM; binding capacity, 35 fmol/10(6) cells). The rank orders of potencies for stimulation of cAMP and [3H]IP production and for inhibition of [125I] PACAP27 binding by three related peptides are identical (PACAP38 = PACAP27 > > vasoactive intestinal peptide). In addition to stimulation of LH release from primary cultures of rat pituitary cells and [3H] IP accumulation in alpha T3-1 cells, PACAP38 synergizes with low GnRH concentrations in the production of these effects. Moreover, long term exposure to PACAP38 stimulates [3H]thymidine incorporation and increases steady state levels of the gonadotropin alpha-subunit in alpha T3-1 cells. We conclude that alpha T3-1 cells possess type I PACAP receptors which mediate the observed effector system responses, and demonstration of the effects of PACAP on this gonadotrope-derived cell line provides further evidence that gonadotropes are direct targets for PACAP action. The data imply that stimulation of phospholipase-C by PACAP is responsible (at least in part) for the observed increase in cytosolic Ca2+, which, in turn, probably mediates the effects of PACAP on LH release. We suggest, however, that in gonadotropes, the effects of PACAP on cell replication and gonadotropin synthesis may prove more important than the peptide's modest effects on LH release.

No abstract

The ruminant corpus luteum synthesizes and secretes oxytocin, but little is known of the regulation of these processes in the ovary. In the present work we describe a method for the preparation of cells from the early bovine corpus luteum (1-5 days postovulation) and their maintenance in serum-free culture. The release of oxytocin and progesterone from these cells was increased by the addition of insulin or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), but not by IGF-II. Hormone release (measured between 60 and 84 h of culture) was increased approximately 5-fold (oxytocin) and 2.5-fold (progesterone) by maximally effective concentrations of IGF-I (EC50, 0.27 nM) and insulin (EC50, 1.94 nM). Sustained exposure (0-84 h) to prostaglandins (PGs) caused a dose-dependent reduction in oxytocin release in the presence of IGF-I (PGF2 alpha EC50, 31 nM; rank order of potency, PGF2 alpha greater than PGE2 greater than PGE1), but did not markedly reduce progesterone release. The inhibitory effect of PG on oxytocin production was mimicked by sustained exposure to a protein kinase-C activator (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate), supporting the proposed role for this enzyme as a mediator of PG action. These data provide the first demonstration that oxytocin release from early bovine corpus luteal cell cultures can be regulated by insulin, IGF-I, and PGs. Since granulosa and/or luteal cells produce and respond to IGF-I and PGF2 alpha, our data indicate functional interaction of these compounds in the regulation of luteal cell activity.

No abstract