title: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide specifically increases cytosolic calcium ion concentration in rat gonadotropes and somatotropes.
abstract: The hypothalamic peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), is a potent stimulator of cAMP accumulation in the anterior pituitary gland, though its physiological function has yet to be defined. To establish the target cells of PACAP action we have measured PACAP-induced changes in cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single identified anterior pituitary cells. This was achieved by combining fura-2 videomicroscopy, to measure [Ca2+]i, and reverse hemolytic plaque assays, to identify the secreted hormone. PACAP (100 nM) increased [Ca2+]i in 32% of all pituitary cells. These responses were predominantly seen in identified gonadotropes and somatotropes, but rarely in corticotropes or lactotropes. PACAP induced two forms of Ca2+ response in gonadotropes; a "Ca2+ spike" (independent of extracellular Ca2+) in 72% of responding gonadotropes, and an extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent "Ca2+ plateau" (28% of cells). In somatotropes, PACAP stimulated either Ca2+ plateau responses (58% of responding somatotropes) or repetitive "Ca2+ transients" (42% of cells), both of which were dependent upon extracellular Ca2+. PACAP, therefore, produces distinct changes in [Ca2+]i in gonadotropes and somatotropes, which may be related to distinct intracellular messenger pathways. The identification of these cell types as targets of PACAP action suggests a role in the regulation of reproduction and growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Canny
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rawlings
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D002118:Calcium