title: Partial characterization of K(+)-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt and GnRH release in GT1-7 neurons.
abstract: Secretion of pituitary gonadotropins is regulated centrally by the hypothalamic decapeptide gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Using the immortalized hypothalamic GT1-7 neuron, we characterized pharmacologically the dynamics of cytosolic Ca2+ and GnRH release in response to K+-induced depolarization of GT1-7 neurons. Our results showed that K+ concentrations from 7.5 to 60 mM increased [Ca2+]cyt in a concentration-dependent manner. Resting [Ca2+]cyt in GT1 -7 cells was determined to be 69.7 +/- 4.0 nM (mean +/- S.E.M.; n = 69). K+-induced increases in [Ca2+]cyt ranged from 58.2 nM at 7.5 mM [K+] to 347 nM at 60 mM [K+]. K+-induced GnRH release ranged from about 10 pg/ml at 7.5 mM [K+] to about 60 pg/ml at 45 mM [K+]. K+-induced increases in (Ca2+]cyt and GnRH release were enhanced by 1 microM BayK 8644, an L-type Ca2+ channel agonist. The BayK enhancement was completely inhibited by 1 microM nimodipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist. Nimodipine (1 microM) alone partially inhibited K+-induced increases in [Ca2+]cyt and GnRH release. Conotoxin (1 microM) alone had no effect on K+-induced GnRH release or [Ca2+]cyt, but the combination of conotoxin (1 microM) and nimodipine (1 microM) inhibited K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt significantly more (p < 0.02) than nimodipine alone, suggesting that N-type Ca2+ channels exist in GT1-7 neurons and may be part of the response to K+. The response of [Ca2+]cyt to K+ was linear with increasing [K+] whereas the response of GnRH release to increasing [K+] appeared to be saturable. K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt and GnRH release required extracellular [Ca2+]. These experiments suggest that voltage dependent N- and L-type Ca2+ channels are present in immortalized GT1-7 neurons and that GnRH release is, at least in part, dependent on these channels for release of GnRH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Javors
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Schenken
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D009553:Nimodipine; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium