Extracellular signal-regulated kinase mediates gonadotropin subunit gene expression and LH release responses to endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormones in goldfish.
The possible involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in mediating the stimulatory actions of two endogenous goldfish gonadotropin-releasing hormones (salmon (s)GnRH and chicken (c)GnRH-II) on gonadotropin synthesis and secretion was examined. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of ERK and phosphorylated (p)ERK in goldfish brain, pituitary, liver, ovary, testis and muscle tissue extracts, as well as extracts of dispersed goldfish pituitary cells and HeLa cells. Interestingly, a third ERK-like immunoreactive band of higher molecular mass was detected in goldfish tissue and pituitary cell extracts in addition to the ERK1-p44- and ERK2-p42-like immunoreactive bands. Incubation of primary cultures of goldfish pituitary cells with either a PKC-activating 4beta-phorbol ester (TPA) or a synthetic diacylglycerol, but not a 4alpha-phorbol ester, elevated the ratio of pERK/total (t)ERK for all three ERK isoforms. The stimulatory effects of TPA were attenuated by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X and the MEK inhibitor PD98059. sGnRH and cGnRH-II also elevated the ratio of pERK/tERK for all three ERK isoforms, in a time-, dose- and PD98059-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with PD98059 reduced the sGnRH-, cGnRH-II- and TPA-induced increases in gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels in Northern blot studies and sGnRH- and cGnRH-II-elicited LH release in cell column perifusion studies with goldfish pituitary cells. These results indicate that GnRH and PKC can activate ERK through MEK in goldfish pituitary cells. More importantly, the present study suggests that GnRH-induced gonadotropin subunit gene expression and LH release involve MEK/ERK signaling in goldfish.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, N.W., Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 1N4.
Christian
C
Klausen
Morgan
M
Booth
Hamid R
HR
Habibi
John P
JP
Chang
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006054:Goldfish / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000235:genetics*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics
D006062:Gonadotropins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases