It has been suggested that PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is an endogenous modulator of cardiovascular systems. We have reported that PTHrP(1-34), but not PTH(1-34), causes the release of argininevasopressin (AVP) from the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus in vitro through a novel receptor distinct from the PTH/ PTHrP receptors (type I or type II) described previously. In this study, we have investigated the in vivo effects of PTHrP(1-34) on AVP secretion and its messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the SON in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of PTHrP(1-34) resulted in an increase in plasma AVP concentration in a dose-dependent manner (0 -400 pmol/rat). The maximal effect was obtained at 15 min after icv administration of PTHrP(1-34). Neither PTHrP(7-34) nor PTH(1-34) had any effect on plasma AVP levels. PTHrP(1-34)-induced AVP secretion was antagonized by pretreatment with PTHrP(7-34) but not by that with PTH(1-34). In addition, in situ hybridization study revealed that AVP mRNA expression in the SON and paraventricular nucleus was significantly increased 30 min after icv administration of PTHrP(1-34) and reached a maximum at 180 min. Furthermore, in Northern blot analyses, AVP mRNA expression in the SON was increased to approximately a 2-fold of basal level by PTHrP(1-34). On the other hand, neither PTHrP(7-34) or PTH(1-34) had any effect on the mRNA expression. The PTHrP(1-34)-stimulated AVP mRNA expression was eliminated by pretreatment with PTHrP(7-34) but not with PTH(1-34). These results suggest that, in the central nervous system, PTHrP(1-34) is involved in AVP secretion through a novel receptor distinct from the PTH/PTHrP receptors reported previously, playing a role in the body water and electrolyte homeostasis. (Endocrinology 139: 383-388, 1998) P TH-RELATED protein (PTHrP) was identified in tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) (1-3). Though PTHrP and PTH are expressed by different genes (1), the amino-terminal fragment of PTHrP and PTH interacts with a classical PTH/PTHrP receptor (type I) on bone and kidney because of the amino acid homology (2). These peptides also interact with a nonclassical PTH/PTHrP receptor (type II) on lymphocytes, insulinoma cells, keretinocytes, and squamous carcinoma cells.Since the demonstration of PTHrP protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) and its receptor protein in a variety of tissues associated with the cardiovascular system, it has been suggested that PTHrP functions as an autocrine/paracrine modulator in the cardiovascular tissues (4 -7). PTHrP acts on vascular smooth muscle, where it is produced (8, 9), as a vasorelaxant (10 -12). Iv administration of the amino-terminal PTHrP peptides induces hypotension in a specific manner (7,13,14). PTHrP also acts on heart muscle by increasing heart rate and contractility (4,10,15,16). Furthermore, vasoconstrictor substances, such as angiotensin II, endotheline, and catecholamines stimulate PTHrP mRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (7, 13). These res...