title: Urocortin 2 induces tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in PC12 cells.
abstract: Urocotins (Ucns) are newly discovered members of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neuropeptide family. Ucn 2 is expressed in the adrenal medulla, and its receptor, CRF2 receptor, is also expressed in the adrenal gland. To predict the physiological significance of Ucn 2 expression in the adrenal medulla, we examined the effects of Ucn 2 on catecholamine secretion and intracellular signaling using PC12 cells, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line. PC12 cells were found to express CRF2 receptor, but not CRF1 receptor. Treatment with Ucn 2 increased noradrenaline secretion and induced phosphorylation of PKA and Erk1/2. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme for catecholamine synthesis, was also phosphorylated by Ucn 2. Pretreatment with a PKA inhibitor blocked Ucn 2-induced NA secretion, and Erk1/2 and TH phosphorylation. Pretreatment with a MEK inhibitor did not block Ucn 2-induced noradrenaline secretion or PKA phosphorylation, although TH phosphorylation was blocked. Thus, Ucn 2 induces noradrenaline secretion and TH phosphorylation through the PKA pathway and the PKA-Erk1/2 pathway, respectively. These results suggest Ucn 2 in the adrenal gland may be involved in the regulation of catecholamine release and synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan. taknemo@nms.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mano-Otagiri
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shibasaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D054832:Urocortins; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
chemical_list: C101531:CRF receptor type 2; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D009638:Norepinephrine