The stimulatory effects of prostaglandins on the melanophores of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.
The melanosome dispersing activity of prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2, PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, PGI2 and 6 beta PGI, was tested on the melanophores of Anolis carolinensis. Only PGE2 and PGE1 were active and while PGE2 was the most potent and acted synergistically with alpha-MSH, PGE1 was additive with alpha-MSH. Arachidonic acid also stimulated melanosome dispersion but its effect was blocked by indomethacin suggesting an action through its conversion to PGE1 or PGE2. The effect of alpha-MSH, on the other hand, was unaltered by indomethacin which suggests that alpha-MSH stimulated melanosome dispersion does not depend upon prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, while some prostaglandins may interact with alpha-MSH to stimulate melanosome dispersion they are unlikely to mediate its action.
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D008547:Melanophores / Q000187:drug effects*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D011464:Epoprostenol; D007213:Indomethacin