Ovarian steroids stimulate adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel subunit gene expression and confer responsiveness of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator to KATP channel modulation.
The ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels couple intracellular metabolism to membrane potential. They are composed of Kir6.x and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) subunits and are expressed in hypothalamic neurons that project to GnRH neurons. However, their roles in regulating GnRH secretion have not been determined. The present study first tested whether K(ATP) channels regulate pulsatile GnRH secretion, as indirectly reflected by pulsatile LH secretion. Ovariectomized rats received sc capsules containing oil, 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P), or E(2)+P at 24 h before blood sampling. Infusion of the K(ATP) channel blocker tolbutamide into the third ventricle resulted in increased LH pulse frequency in animals treated with E(2)+P but was without effect in all other groups. Coinfusion of tulbutamide and the K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide blocked this effect, whereas diazoxide alone suppressed LH. Effects of steroids on Kir6.2 and SUR1 mRNA expression were then evaluated. After 24hr treatment, E(2)+P produced a modest but significant increase in Kir6.2 expression in the preoptic area (POA), which was reversed by P receptor antagonism with RU486. Neither SUR1 in the POA nor both subunits in the mediobasal hypothalamus were altered by any steroid treatment. After 8 d treatment, Kir6.2 mRNA levels were again enhanced by E(2)+P but to a greater extent in the POA. Our findings demonstrate that 1) blockade of preoptic/hypothalamic K(ATP) channels produces an acceleration of the GnRH pulse generator in a steroid-dependent manner and 2) E(2)+P stimulate Kir6.2 gene expression in the POA. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the negative feedback actions of ovarian steroids on the GnRH pulse generator are mediated, in part, by their ability to up-regulate K(ATP) channel subunit expression in the POA.
Huang
Wenyu
W
Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Acosta-Martínez
Maricedes
M
Levine
Jon E
JE
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D014044:Tolbutamide / Q000494:pharmacology
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; C577509:Abcc8 protein, rat; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D054086:KATP Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D064233:Sulfonylurea Receptors; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D014044:Tolbutamide; D003981:Diazoxide