Dopamine-sensitive adenyl cyclase: possible role in synaptic transmission.

An adenyl cyclase activated by low concentrations of dopamine has been found in the mammalian superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. The existence of this enzyme may account for the increased amount of adenosine 3',5' monophosphate associated with synaptic activity in the ganglion. The results suggest that the physiological effects of dopamine in the ganglion, and possibly elsewhere in the nervous system, may be mediated by stimulating the synthesis of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase occurs in a region of substantia nigra containing dopaminergic dendrites.

The zona reticulata, the subdivision of the substantia nigra containing dendrites of the dopaminergic nigro-neostriatal neurons, contains dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity. This nigral dopamine receptor is similar to the striatal dopamine receptor. These and previous data suggest a physiological role (or roles) for dopamine in the substantia nigra.

Neurotransmitters increase cyclic nucleotides in postganglionic neurons: immunocytochemical demonstration.

Dopamine increases adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) but not guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in slices of bovine sympathetic ganglion; this increase is localized to the postganglionic neurons. Conversely, acetylcholine increases cyclic GMP but not cycle AMP in the ganglion; this increase also occurs within postganglionic neurons. Thus, different neurotransmitters can selectively alter cyclic nucleotide levels within the same neuronal population.

A mu-opiate receptor in 7315c tumor tissue mediates inhibition of immunoreactive prolactin release and adenylate cyclase activity.

Cells of the 7315c tumor released immunoreactive PRL (IR-PRL). Cholera toxin enhanced this release. Morphine and other opiate agonists inhibited IR-PRL release from both untreated and cholera toxin-treated tumor cells. The opiate-induced inhibition of IR-PRL release was concentration dependent and naloxone sensitive. Cholera toxin also enhanced the adenylate cyclase activity of 7315c tumor tissue. Opiates inhibited enzyme activity in both untreated and cholera toxin-treated 7315c tissue in a concentration-dependent and naloxone-sensitive manner. FK 33824 was more potent than [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin in inhibiting IR-PRL release and adenylate cyclase activity. In cholera toxin-treated 7315c tumor tissue, GTP was required for opiate-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. Nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP inhibited toxin-stimulated cyclase activity in the absence of an opiate. These results suggest that the 7315c tumor possesses a mu-opiate receptor; stimulation of this receptor inhibits both IR-PRL release and adenylate cyclase activity. An inhibitory guanyl nucleotide component may link the mu-opiate receptor to adenylate cyclase.

Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase activity in rodent pituitary tissue: possible role in cAMP-dependent hormone secretion.

A cAMP-dependent protein kinase occurs in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland and the ACTH-secreting tumor AtT-20/D16-16 derived from the mouse pituitary gland. Exposure of either tissue to drugs increasing cAMP production and hormone release (forskolin, cholera toxin, or isoproterenol in the case of the intermediate lobe; forskolin or isoproterenol in the case of the AtT-20 cells) increases the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity of a tissue homogenate in the absence, but not in the presence, of added cAMP. The potencies of these drugs to induce changes in the protein kinase activity ratio (i.e. enzyme activity in the absence of cAMP to enzyme activity in the presence of 3 microM cAMP) are comparable with their potencies as stimulants of hormone secretion. In either tissue, A23187, a calcium ionophore that stimulates hormone release but not cAMP production, does not change the protein kinase activity ratio. In the case of the AtT-20 cells, dexamethasone blocks the release of ACTH simulated by either isoproterenol or forskolin, but does not alter the enhancement of protein kinase activity induced by these drugs. Conversely, dexamethasone does not block the A23187-stimulated release of ACTH. The data suggest that cAMP modulates (but does not trigger) hormone secretion from the rodent pituitary gland by a mechanism involving activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Several possible sites for this modulatory effect of cAMP are discussed.

Release of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from dispersed cells of the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland: involvement of catecholamines and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Treatment of the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland with mechanical agitation in the presence of trypsin and DNAse results in a preparation of cells which secrete alpha MSH and synthesize cAMP. The receptors for catecholamines present in the intact intermediate lobe remain functional on the dispersed cells. Thus, stimulation of a beta-adrenoceptor with (l)isoproterenol enhances the secretion of alpha MSH. This receptor is stereospecific and responds to low concentrations of isoproterenol (EC50 = 0.4 nM). Activation of a beta-adrenoceptor also increases the accumulation of cAMP. Furthermore, dopamine inhibits the basal release of alpha MSH but has no effect on basal levels of cAMP. In addition, dopamine inhibits the isoproterenol-enhanced release of alpha MSH as well as the isoproterenol-induced accumulation of cAMP.

Forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase activity, adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production and peptide release from the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

Forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in a cell-free homogenate of the intermediate lobe (IL) of the rat pituitary gland. L-Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, enhances and apomorphine, a D-2 agonist, inhibits the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Guanosine triphosphate is obligatory for the dopaminergic attenuation of the forskolin-enhanced enzyme activity. When tested upon enzymatically dispersed IL cells, forskolin enhances the release of both cAMP and immunoreactive alpha MSH-like peptides. These effects of forskolin upon the IL are discussed within the context of a previously published working hypothesis that cAMP in some way triggers the calcium-dependent release of hormones from the IL.

D-2 dopaminergic agonists and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate directly regulate the synthesis of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like peptides by cultured rat melanotrophs.

When placed in short term (2-day) tissue culture, the melanotrophs from the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland synthesize a proopiomelanocortin-like material (POMC-LM). Exposure of these cells to bromocriptine (CB 154), an agonist upon their D-2 dopamine receptor, reduces the synthesis of POMC-LM; spiroperidol, an antagonist of the D-2 receptor, prevents this effect of CB 154. Cultured melanotrophs secrete an alpha MSH-like material. The amount of this alpha MSH-like material, either stored intracellularly or secreted into the culture medium, can be quantified in a specific RIA; the material identified in this manner is designated immunoreactive alpha MSH (IR-alpha MSH). CB 154 inhibits the secretion of IR-alpha MSH from these cells. Either spiroperidol or 8-bromo-cAMP prevent this inhibitory effect of CB 154. The capacity of these cells to synthesize alpha MSH-like molecules and release them into the culture medium can be assessed by incubation in the presence of [3H]tyrosine, followed by immunoprecipitation with an antibody directed against alpha MSH. This newly synthesized immunoprecipitable material is designated immunoprecipitable alpha MSH (IP-alpha MSH) and should be distinguished from IR-alpha MSH. Both CB 154 and quinpirole, a selective D-2 agonist (but not SKF 38393, a selective D-1 agonist), inhibit the synthesis and secretion of IP-alpha MSH. YM-09151-2, a selective D-2 antagonist (but not SCH 23390, a selective D-1 antagonist), blocks the inhibitory effects of quinpirole. Several compounds affecting cAMP metabolism (cholera toxin, forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) can also prevent the inhibitory effect of CB 154 on the synthesis of IP-alpha MSH. We conclude the following. The D-2 receptor in the intermediate lobe directly regulates the synthesis and secretion of IP-alpha MSH. cAMP can regulate either the synthesis of POMC-LM or the processing of this substance into alpha MSH-like peptides.

Forskolin enhances basal and potassium-evoked hormone release from normal and malignant pituitary tissue: the role of calcium.

The release of immunoreactive ACTH (IR-ACTH) from AtT-20 pituitary tumor cells was transiently increased by exposure to an elevated concentration of potassium ion in an osmotically balanced extracellular medium. With the calcium-sensitive dye Quin 2, the concentration of free cytosolic calcium (Cai) in the AtT-20 tumor was determined to be 115 nM. Challenge of these cells with 60 mM potassium in an osmotically balanced salt solution raised the concentration of Cai to 246 nM. This is in accord with the view that agents promoting calcium entry into pituitary cells trigger hormone secretion. Addition of forskolin to the extracellular medium caused a sustained release of IR-ACTH from AtT-20 tumor cells. Challenge with forskolin (10 microM) increased the concentration of Cai to 149 nM. This observation is also in accord with the view that calcium entry is a necessary and sufficient stimulus to trigger hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary lobe. Exposure of cells to forskolin (10 microM) before a potassium challenge increased the quantity of IR-ACTH released in response to potassium, but did not alter the minute by minute time course of the response to this ion. Forskolin pretreatment did not alter the potassium-evoked rise in Cai concentration. This observation suggests that the magnitude of the secretory response of the pituitary gland can be enhanced by agents other than those promoting an increase in Cai. After exposure of the tumor cells to potassium for a sufficient time to permit the rate of release of hormone to return to the basal value, forskolin could still stimulate the release of hormone from the tumor cells. Under these circumstances, forskolin did not increase the concentration of Cai. This observation suggests that pituitary hormone secretion can be initiated by a factor(s) other than an acute change in the Cai concentration. Both forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP stimulated hormone secretion from dispersed melanotrophs and potentiated the potassium-evoked secretory response of these cells. Neither compound affected the apparent time course of the response to potassium. These observations suggest that the effects of forskolin and potassium on the AtT-20 tumor cell may use mechanisms occurring in normal pituitary cells.

Biochemical identification of the beta-adrenoceptor and evidence for the involvement of an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate system in the beta-adrenergically induced release of alph-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

The beta-adrenoceptor in the intermediate lobe (IL) of the hypophysis of the rat is characterized on the basis of the following: 1) the ability of beta-adrenergic agonists to increase adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of the IL, and 2) the ability of drugs active upon the beta-adrenoceptor to compete with [125I]hydroxybenzylpindolol, a radiolabeled beta-adrenergic antagonist, for high affinity (Kd = 232 pM) binding sites. The values of the affinity of the beta-adrenoceptor for drugs obtained in either assay system are in good agreement. The relative potency among agonists, L-isoproterenol greater than L-epinephrine greater than L-norepinephrine, suggests that the receptor is of the beta-2 subcategory. cAMP, derivatives of cAMP, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, theophylline, mimic the ability of l-isoproterenol to enhance the release of alpha MSH from dispersed cells of the rat IL. The present results are in accord with the possibility that occupancy by agonists of the beta-adrenoceptor of the IL enhances adenylate cyclase activity, resulting in an accumulation of cAMP which initiates the intracellular events that are ultimately expressed as an enhanced release of alpha MSH. Pharmacological data suggest that stimulation of a dopamine receptor in the IL diminishes the response of the beta-adrenoceptor to agonists.

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like peptides in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland: characterization of content and release in vitro.

Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by RIA of the chromatographic fractions was used to separate and quantify, respectively, the alpha MSH-like peptides stored in the intermediate lobe (IL) of the rat pituitary gland and released from IL cells in vitro. Immunoreactive material eluting with the same HPLC retention time as N,O-diacetyl alpha MSH accounted for approximately 80% of the total immunoreactive alpha MSH (IR-alpha MSH) in either the neurointermediate lobe or dispersed IL cells. The remainder of the IR-alpha MSH coeluted with either synthetic desacetyl alpha MSH or alpha MSH. Furthermore, the predominant alpha MSH-like compound released in vitro from dispersed IL cells eluted from the HPLC column with the same retention time as synthetic N,O-diacetyl alpha MSH. Treatment of dispersed IL cells with drugs known to enhance (l-isoproterenol or A 23187) or to inhibit (apomorphine or lisuride) the release of IR-alpha MSH revealed that N,O-diacetyl alpha MSH was the primary form released. Finally, an evaluation of the stability of the alpha MSH-like peptides indicated that N,O-diacetyl alpha MSH was readily converted to alpha MSH in the presence of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid.

Guanyl nucleotides participate in the beta-adrenergic stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

The existence of a stimulatory guanyl nucleotide component in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland (IL) is supported by the observations that: 1) GTP was required for beta-adrenergic stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of IL tissue; 2) GTP, in the absence of a beta-adrenergic agonist, maximally stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of IL tissue previously treated with cholera toxin; and 3) GTP decreased the affinity of the beta-adrenoceptor for isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist. Although when tested on fresh IL tissue, 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], a nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, was substantially less active than GTP in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of isoproterenol, GTP and Gpp(NH)p each stimulated adenylate cyclase to the same degree after solubilization of IL tissue previously treated with cholera toxin. GTP and Gpp(NH)p appeared to interact at the same site in this preparation.

Stimulation of a D-2 dopamine receptor in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland decreases the responsiveness of the beta-adrenoceptor: biochemical mechanism.

In experiments using a cell-free homogenate of the intermediate lobe of the hypophysis of the rat, apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, diminished both basal and L-isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity; dopaminergic antagonists from several chemical families reversed these inhibitory effects of apomorphine. Apomorphine diminished the ability of GTP to enhance both basal and L-isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity but did not directly interfere with the interaction between the beta-adrenoceptor and L-isoproterenol. The affinity of the D-2 dopamine receptor in the intermediate lobe for each dopaminergic antagonist used in this study was estimated from a mathematical analysis of the data. (Endocrinology 108: 420, 1981)

The dopamine receptor in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland: pharmacological characterization.

The dopamine receptor in the intermediate lobe (IL) of the hypophysis of the rat is characterized on the basis of the ability of dopamine and other dopaminergic agonists to decrease the consequences of activation of the beta-adrenoceptor. Stimulation of the dopamine receptor diminishes the L-isoproterenol-induced accumulation of cAMP and the catecholamine-stimulated enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity. The dopamine receptor in the IL can be assigned to the category of dopamine receptor designated D-2 on the basis of the following criteria: 1) occupancy of the dopamine receptor does not result in enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity or an accumulation of cAMP, 2) the dopaminergic ergots and apomorphine mimic the inhibitory effect of dopamine upon cAMP formation or alpha MSH release, and 3) metoclopramide and sulpiride, substituted benzamides, block the inhibitory effect of dopamine. The sympathetic neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, interacts with the dopamine receptor and the beta-adrenoceptor in the IL.

[3H]spiroperidol identifies a D-2 dopamine receptor inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

[3H]Spiroperidol ([3H]SPIRO) binds with high affinity (Kd = 0.3 nM) to cell-free homogenates of the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland. The neurointermediate lobe contains 19.2 fmol of specific binding sites, 86% of which occur in the intermediate lobe (IL). Compounds active upon the D-2 dopamine receptor in the IL compete with [3H]SPIRO for occupancy of the specific binding site. Guanosine 5'-triphosphate decreases the affinity of agonists, but not antagonists, for the specific binding site. For each drug tested, methods derived from competitive enzyme kinetics were used to calculate the apparent affinity constants of the drug for the binding site and for the receptor regulating adenylate cyclase activity. The pharmacological properties of the specific [3H]SPIRO binding site were compared to the pharmacological properties of the D-2 dopamine receptor inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity in the IL. The similarity between the affinities determined from the binding and enzyme assays suggests that some or all of the specific [3H]SPIRO binding sites in the IL are D-2 dopamine receptors inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity.

Coordinated action of calcium ion and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate upon the release of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

Stimulation of the release of alpha MSH from dispersed rat melanotrophs by L-isoproterenol, 8-bromo-cAMP, or cholera toxin requires calcium ion (Ca++) in the incubation medium; the stimulatory effect of each of these agents is attenuated by D-600, a Ca++ antagonist. In contrast, stimulation of the formation of cAMP by L-isoproterenol, isobutyl methylxanthine, or cholera toxin does not require Ca++ in the incubation medium. Ca++ diminishes the amount of cAMP formed by cholera toxin-treated melanotrophs. Ca++ inhibits adenylate cyclase activity and enhances cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in cell-free homogenates of intermediate lobe tissue. A23187, a calcium ionophore, increases the accumulation of 45Ca by melanotrophs and enhances the release of alpha MSH. Furthermore, when tested upon cholera toxin-treated melanotrophs, A23187 potentiates the Ca++-induced inhibition of cAMP formation. The results indicate that Ca++ is essential for the release of alpha MSH, and that cAMP in some way enhances the effects of Ca++ upon the release process.

Bromocriptine-induced changes in the biochemistry, physiology, and histology of the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland.

Treatment of rats with 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (bromocriptine; CB 154) elicits biochemical, physiological, and histological changes in the intermediate lobe (IL) of the rat pituitary gland, suggesting a decrease in activity in the IL. CB 154 treatment decreases 1) the capacity of the IL to synthesize proopiomelanocortin (POMC), 2) the content of mRNA directing the synthesis of POMC, and 3) the capacity of the IL to synthesize the peptides desacetyl alpha MSH, N,O-diacetyl alpha MSH, and alpha MSH. CB 154 treatment also causes a 40% loss of IL protein and an atrophy of the IL. CB 154 treatment has a biphasic effect upon the IL content of alpha MSH-like peptides; the drug first increases and then diminishes the content of these molecules. Control experiments using CB 154-treated IL tissue suggest that these effects of CB 154 are not a toxic effect of CB 154 on the IL. Spiroperidol reverses the effects of CB 154 on POMC synthesis and POMC mRNA content; by itself, spiroperidol increases the IL synthesis of POMC, the IL content of POMC mRNA, and the capacity of the IL to synthesize immunoreactive alpha MSH. Stalk section of rat pituitary gland also results in an increase in the capacity of the IL to synthesize POMC. These results suggest that a D-2 dopamine receptor mediates a tonic inhibition of the function of the IL.

D-2 dopamine receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland requires guanosine 5'-triphosphate.

After treatment with cholera toxin, homogenates of intact intermediate lobe (IL) tissue of rat pituitary gland synthesized more cAMP than did homogenates of untreated IL tissue, and only in the presence of GTP did dopamine or apomorphine diminish the elevated adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of cholera toxin-treated IL tissue. Furthermore, when tested on cholera toxin-treated IL tissue, 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and two other nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in the absence of either a dopaminergic agonist or GTP; GTP reversed the Gpp(NH)p-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. Apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, abolished the ability of GTP to reverse the inhibition by Gpp(NH)p; this effect of apomorphine was prevented by fluphenazine, a dopaminergic antagonist. Sodium fluoride inhibited adenylate cyclase activity to approximately the same level obtained with GTP and apomorphine. In addition, apomorphine decreased cAMP accumulation and alpha MSH release from dispersed IL cells pretreated with cholera toxin.

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone secretion from permeabilized intermediate lobe cells of rat pituitary gland. The role of guanine nucleotides.

The non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and cyclic AMP potentiated the Ca2+-evoked secretion of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) from permeabilized neurointermediate lobe (IL) cells of rat pituitary gland. The enhancement by Mg-GTP gamma S (100 microM) and cyclic AMP (1 microM) depended on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration (EC50 = 4.8 +/- 1.8 and 4.6 +/- 1.7 microM; mean +/- SE, with and without Mg-GTP gamma S and cyclic AMP, respectively). A similar effect was observed with guanine nucleotide triphosphate (GTP and GppNHp). Mg was absolutely required for this event. Neither Mg-GTP gamma S nor cyclic AMP alone was effective in potentiating alpha-MSH secretion. GDP beta S blocked the Mg-GTP gamma S (100 microM) and cyclic AMP augmented secretion of alpha-MSH. Neither neomycin (which affects the process of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-mediated Ca2+ mobilization) or colchicine (which influences microtubule assembly) had an effect on the cyclic AMP and Mg-GTP gamma S potentiation of alpha-MSH secretion. These data suggest that the GTP-binding protein may be involved in the regulation of alpha-MSH secretion after Ca2+ entry into the cells, since the intracellular environment is controlled in the permeabilized cells.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 1-(aminomethyl)-3,4-dihydro-5-hydroxy-1H-2-benzopyrans as dopamine D1 selective ligands.

A series of 3-substituted 1-(aminomethyl)-3,4-dihydro-5-hydroxy-1H-2- benzopyrans were prepared as potential D1 selective antagonists. The compounds were evaluated for their affinity and selectivity for the D1 receptor as well as for their functional antagonism of D1-mediated pharmacological events. The compounds show potent D1 antagonist properties in vitro. The optimum nitrogen substitution was found to be the primary amine and the observed order of potency for substitution at the 6-position is OH greater than Br greater than H greater than OMe. Two representative compounds, the 6-methyl and 6-bromo analogues, were also evaluated in vivo for dopaminergic activity. Interestingly, both compounds behave as potent in vivo agonists.