Receptor-bound somatostatin and epidermal growth factor are processed differently in GH4C1 rat pituitary cells.

GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells, have high-affinity, functional receptors for the inhibitory hypothalamic peptide somatostatin (SRIF) and for epidermal growth factor (EGF). In this study we have examined the events that follow the initial binding of SRIF to its specific plasma membrane receptors in GH4C1 cells and have compared the processing of receptor-bound SRIF with that of EGF. When cells were incubated with [125I-Tyr1]SRIF at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 degrees C, greater than 80% of the specifically bound peptide was removed by extraction with 0.2 M acetic acid, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 2.5. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of receptor-bound 125I-EGF was temperature dependent. Whereas greater than 95% of specifically bound 125I-EGF was removed by acid treatment after a 4 degrees C binding incubation, less than 10% was removed when the binding reaction was performed at 22 or 37 degrees C. In pulse-chase experiments, receptor-bound 125I-EGF was transferred from an acid-sensitive to an acid-resistant compartment with a half-time of 2 min at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the small amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF that was resistant to acid treatment did not increase during a 2-h chase incubation at 37 degrees C. Chromatographic analysis of the radioactivity released from cells during dissociation incubations at 37 degrees C showed that greater than 90% of prebound 125I-EGF was released as 125I-tyrosine, whereas prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was released as a mixture of intact peptide (55%) and 125I-tyrosine (45%). Neither chloroquine (0.1 mM), ammonium chloride (20 mM), nor leupeptin (0.1 mg/ml) increased the amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF bound to cells at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, chloroquine and leupeptin did not alter the rate of dissociation or degradation of prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF. In contrast, these inhibitors increased the amount of cell-associated 125I-EGF during 37 degrees C binding incubations and decreased the subsequent rate of release of 125I-tyrosine. The results presented indicate that, as in other cell types, EGF underwent rapid receptor-mediated endocytosis in GH4C1 cells and was subsequently degraded in lysosomes. In contrast, SRIF remained at the cell surface for several hours although it elicits its biological effects within minutes. Furthermore, a constant fraction of the receptor-bound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was degraded at the cell surface before dissociation. Therefore, after initial binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF and 125I-EGF to their specific membrane receptors, these peptides are processed very differently in GH4C1 cells.

Epidermal growth factor and thyrotropin-releasing hormone act similarly on a clonal pituitary cell strain. Modulation of hormone production and inhbition of cell proliferation.

GH(4)C(1) cells are a clonal strain of rat pituitary cells that synthesize and secrete prolactin and growth hormone. Chronic treatment (longer than 24 h) of GH(4)C(1) cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10(-8) M) decreased by 30-40 percent both the rate of cell proliferation and the plateau density reached by cultures. Inhibition of cell proliferation was accompanied by a change in cellular morphology from a spherical appearance to an elongated flattened shape and by a 40-60 percent increase in cell volume. These actions of EGF were qualitatively similar to those of the hypothalamic tripeptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10(-7) M) which decreased the rate of cell proliferation by 10-20 percent and caused a 15 percent increase in cell volume. The presence of supramaximal concentrations of both EGF (10(-8)M) and TRH (10(-7)M) resulted in greater effects on cell volume and cell multiplication than either peptide alone. EGF also altered hormone production by GH(4)C(1) cells in the same manner as TRH. Treatment of cultures with 10(-8) M EGF for 2-6 d increased prolactin synthesis five- to ninefold compared to a two- to threefold stimulation by 10(-7) M TRH. Growth hormone production by the same cultures was inhibited 40 percent by EGF and 15 percent by TRH. The half- maximal effect of EGF to increase prolactin synthesis, decrease growth hormone production, and inhibit cell proliferation occurred at a concentration of 5 x 10 (-11) M. Insulin and multiplication stimulating activity, two other growth factors tested, did not alter cell proliferation, cell morphology, or hormone production by GH(4)C(1) cells, indicating the specificity of the EGF effect. Fibroblast growth factor, however, had effects similar to those of EGF and TRH. Of five pituitary cell strains tested, all but one responded to chronic EGF treatment with specifically altered hormone production. Acute chronic EGF treatment with specifically altered hormone production. Acute treatment (30 min) of GH(4)C(1) cells with 10(-8) M EGF caused a 30 percent enhancement of prolactin release compared to a greater than twofold increase caused by 10(-7) M TRH. Therefore, although EGF and TRH have qualitatively similar effects on GH(4)C(1) cells, their powers to affect hormone release acutely or hormone synthesis and cell proliferation chronically are distinct.

Distinct phosphorylation sites in the SST2A somatostatin receptor control internalization, desensitization, and arrestin binding.

The somatostatin subtype 2A (sst2A) receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, mediates many of the neuroendocrine and neuromodulatory actions of somatostatin, and it represents the primary target for somatostatin analogs used in cancer therapy and tumor localization. Agonist stimulation leads to the rapid phosphorylation, endocytosis, and desensitization of the sst2A receptor; however, little is known about the role of phosphorylation in sst2A regulation. sst2A phosphorylation occurs on serine and threonine residues in the third intracellular loop and carboxyl terminus. Therefore, we generated mutant receptors in which serine (Ser-), threonine (Thr-), or both (Ser-/Thr-) residues in these regions were mutated to alanine. In contrast to the wild-type receptor, somatostatin treatment did not stimulate the phosphorylation of the Ser-/Thr- mutant, and it did not produce desensitization. Furthermore, internalization of the Ser-/Thr- mutant occurred 5 times more slowly than with the wild-type receptor. Mutating only the Ser residues did not inhibit either internalization or desensitization. In contrast, mutating only the Thr residues inhibited receptor endocytosis to the same extent as in the full mutant, but it did not affect receptor desensitization. In both the wild-type and Ser- receptors, agonist binding produced a stable arrestin-receptor complex that was maintained during receptor trafficking, whereas arrestin was not recruited to either the Thr- or the Ser-/Thr- receptors. These results demonstrate that agonist-stimulated receptor phosphorylation is necessary for both desensitization and rapid internalization of the sst2A receptor. However, sst2A receptor internalization and uncoupling can occur independently, involve different receptor phosphorylation sites, and exhibit different requirements for stable arrestin association.

Bombesin receptors in a human duodenal tumor cell line: binding properties and function.

The bombesin family of peptides elicit numerous biological responses in the gut, including stimulation of cell proliferation, and have been implicated as growth factors in a variety of gastrointestinal tumors. Even though these peptides and their receptors are distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, there are few cell lines available as model systems to study bombesin action in gastrointestinal cells. In this study, we have characterized functional bombesin receptors in a human duodenal cancer cell line, HuTu-80. The binding of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin to intact cells at 4 degrees C reached equilibrium by 6 h. Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding showed that HuTu-80 cells contained a single class of high affinity binding sites (5900 +/- 1960/cell; Kd = 80 +/- 20 pM). [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding was inhibited by bombesin receptor agonists and antagonists with the following order of potencies: gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) = GRP-(14-27) = bombesin > [DPhe6]bombesin(6-13)ethylamide > [Leu13 psi-(CH2NH)Leu14]bombesin > neuromedin B. Photoaffinity cross-linking studies, in which N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide was used to covalently couple [125I]GRP(14-27) to cells at 4 degrees C, resulted in the specific labeling of a broad band with an apparent molecular mass of 66,000 daltons. Consistent with the presence of high affinity receptors, bombesin increased the formation of inositol phosphates in HuTu-80 cells in a dose-dependent manner (concentration eliciting half-maximal effect, 290 +/- 70 pM). However, under conditions where both insulin and serum increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, 10 nM bombesin had no effect either alone or in the presence of insulin. Bombesin also had no effect on colony formation by HuTu-80 cells in soft agar. Furthermore, the bombesin receptor antagonist, [Leu13 psi(CH2NH)Leu14]bombesin, did not inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation or clonal growth either in the absence or in the presence of serum. Together, these results show that HuTu-80 cells contain high affinity bombesin receptors of the GRP subtype. These receptors are functionally coupled to second messenger production but do not stimulate cell proliferation.

Classification and nomenclature of somatostatin receptors.

There is considerable controversy about the classification and nomenclature of somatostatin receptors. To date, five distinct receptor genes have been cloned and named chronologically according to their respective publication dates, but two were unfortunately given the same appellation (SSTR4). Consensually, a nomenclature for the recombinant receptors has been agreed according to IUPHAR guidelines (sst1, sst2, sst3, sst4, and sst5). However, a more informative classification is to be preferred for the future, employing all classification criteria in an integrated scheme. It is already apparent that the five recombinant receptors fall into two classes or groups, on the basis of not only structure but also pharmacological characteristics. One class (already referred to by some as SRIF1) appears to comprise sst2, sst3 and sst5 receptor subtypes. The other class (SRIF2) appears to comprise the other two recombinant receptor subtypes (sst1 and sst4). This promising approach is discussed but it is acknowledged that much more data from endogenous receptors in whole tissues are needed before further recommendations on somatostatin receptor nomenclature can be made.

S49 cells endogenously express subtype 2 somatostatin receptors which couple to increase protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in membranes and down-regulate Raf-1 activity in situ.

S49 cells expressed type 2 somatostatin receptors (sstr2) by immunoblotting. Analysis by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methodologies showed that S49 cells express predominantly sstr2A and sstr2B mRNAs; other subtypes were either not detected, in the case of sstr1, sstr3, sstr4, or variably detected, in the case of sstr5. No mutations were present in S49 cells at codon 12, 13, or 61 of the N-, K-, or H-ras genes. Nevertheless, randomly growing S49 cells contained Raf-1 activity by specific immune complex kinase assays. Treatment of S49 cells with somatostatin transiently inactivated the basal activity of Raf-1, but not that of B-Raf. Addition of somatostatin plus guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (GMPPNP) to S49 membranes stimulated PTPase activity. The concentration dependence for stimulation of PTPase activity correlated with high affinity binding of [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin-14. Both the effect of somatostatin to stimulate PTPase activity and to inactivate Raf-1 were abrogated by PTx. PTPase activity stimulated by somatostatin plus GMPPNP was recovered in a peak of high apparent M(r) (670,000) after solubilisation with Triton X-100 and Superose 6 chromatography. Furthermore, addition of activated, brain G alpha i/o subunits to fractions from control membranes stimulated PTPase activity in the high M(r) peak. Thus, S49 membranes contain a G-protein regulated PTPase (PTPase-G), and PTPase-G in these cells may reside in a high molecular weight complex.

Coupling specificity between somatostatin receptor sst2A and G proteins: isolation of the receptor-G protein complex with a receptor antibody.

Somatostatin initiates its actions via a family of seven-transmembrane domain receptors. Of the five somatostatin receptor genes cloned, sst2 exists as two splice variants with the sst2A isoform being predominantly expressed. This receptor is widely distributed in endocrine, exocrine, and neuronal cells, as well as in hormonally responsive tumors, and leads to inhibition of secretion, electrical excitability, and cell proliferation. To investigate the specificity of signal transduction by the sst2A receptor, we developed antibodies against two overlapping peptides located within the C terminus of the receptor protein: peptide 2C(SG), containing amino acids 334-348, and peptide 2C(ER), containing amino acids 339-359. Although antibodies to both peptides bound the inducing antigen with high affinity, only the antibodies against peptide 2C(ER) precipitated the receptor. The best antibody, R2-88, precipitated about 80% of the sst2A receptor-ligand complex solubilized from transfected CHO cells and was specific for the sst2A receptor isotype. Addition of GTPgammaS (10 microM) to the immunoprecipitated ligand-sst2A receptor complex markedly accelerated ligand dissociation, indicating that G proteins remained functionally associated with the receptor in the immunoprecipitate. Analysis of the G proteins coprecipitated with the sst2A receptor by immunoblotting with G protein antibodies showed that both G(alpha) and G(beta) subunits were bound to the hormone-receptor complex. Immunoprecipitation of the receptor was not affected by the presence of bound ligand. However, G protein subunits were coprecipitated only with the hormone-occupied receptor. Thus, the unoccupied receptor has low affinity for G proteins, and hormone binding stabilizes the receptor-G protein complex. Use of subtype-specific G protein antisera further showed that G alpha(i1), G alpha(i2), and G alpha(i3) were complexed with the sst2A receptor whereas Galpha(o), G alpha(z), and G alpha(q) were not. Together, these studies demonstrate that the sst2A receptor interacts selectively with G alpha(i) proteins in a hormone-dependent manner. The finding that this receptor couples to all three G alpha(i) subunits may help explain how somatostatin can regulate multiple signaling pathways.

Distribution of somatostatin receptors in RINm5F insulinoma cells.

Previous studies with heterogeneous populations of pancreatic cells have provided evidence for the presence of somatostatin (SRIF) receptors in cytosol and secretion vesicles, as well as the plasma membrane. To examine the distribution of SRIF receptors between soluble and membrane fractions in a homogeneous pancreatic islet cell population, we have used the clonal RINm5F insulinoma cell line. These cells contain specific, high affinity binding sites for [125I-Try11]SRIF on the cell surface, and occupancy of these sites by SRIF and SRIF analogs correlates with inhibition of insulin secretion. Stable, steady state binding was achieved using both intact cells and membranes by performing binding incubations with [25I-Tyr11]SRIF at 22 C. Half-maximal inhibition of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding occurred with 0.21 +/- 0.11 nM SRIF in membranes and 0.35 +/- 0.30 nM SRIF in cells. In contrast, the binding of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF to cytosolic macromolecules was not reduced by concentrations of SRIF as high as 100 nM, demonstrating that this binding was of much lower affinity. RINm5F membranes were further purified using a Percoll gradient to prepare a microsomal fraction, which was enriched in adenylate cyclase activity, and a secretory granule fraction, which was enriched in insulin. [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding to the microsomal fraction (3.8 +/- 0.3 fmol/mg) was 3 times higher than to secretion granules (1.2 +/- 0.2 fmol/mg). Thus, high affinity SRIF binding sites were most abundant in microsomal membranes and were low or undetectable in secretory granules and cytosol. To determine whether translocation of SRIF receptors to the plasma membrane accompanied insulin secretion, we examined the effects of various insulin secretagogues on [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding to intact cells. Leucine (20 mM), glyceraldehyde (15 mM), forskolin (1 microM), and glucagon (1 microM) stimulated insulin release 1.5- to 4.0-fold in different experiments. However, these secretagogues did not increase [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding. In summary, our results indicate that high affinity SRIF receptors in RINm5F cells are located primarily on the plasma membrane and that the concentration of SRIF receptors at the cell surface is independent of the secretory activity of the cells.

Characterization of somatostatin receptors which mediate inhibition of insulin secretion in RINm5F insulinoma cells.

Somatostatin (SRIF) is a neuropeptide which inhibits secretion from a variety of target cells including pancreatic beta-cells. In this study we have used the RINm5F rat insulinoma cell line to characterize high affinity receptors for SRIF. The binding of 0.03 nM [125I-Tyr11]SRIF to RINm5F cells reached a plateau level within 4 h at 37 C at which time 80% of the total binding could be displaced by 100 nM unlabeled SRIF. In contrast, 100 nM concentrations of eight structurally unrelated peptides did not inhibit [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding. Scatchard analysis indicated that RINm5F cells contained a single class of noninteracting binding sites (910 +/- 190 sites per cell) with high affinity for [125I-Tyr11]SRIF [equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) = 0.04 +/- 0.01 nM]. Competition experiments with SRIF analogs showed that the binding affinity for [I-Tyr11]SRIF (Kd = 0.03 +/- 0.02 nM) was higher than that for either SRIF (0.24 +/- 0.04 nM) or [Tyr11]SRIF (0.27 +/- 0.04 nM) and that reduced SRIF analogs bound poorly (Kd greater than 50 nM). These results demonstrate that RINm5F cells possess specific, high affinity binding sites for SRIF. Insulin release stimulated by 20 mM leucine or 15 mM glyceraldehyde was inhibited as much as 80% by maximal concentrations (100 nM) of SRIF. The IC50 for SRIF inhibition of leucine-stimulated insulin secretion was 0.43 +/- 0.15 nM, in good agreement with the apparent Kd for binding. In fact, this close correlation between binding affinity and potency to inhibit insulin release was observed for six SRIF analogs, indicating that the characterized binding sites are the receptors which mediate the biological actions of SRIF in RINm5F cells.

Adenosine inhibits prolactin and growth hormone secretion in a clonal pituitary cell line.

Although purine nucleosides have been shown to regulate the secretion of several peptide and steroid hormones, effects on pituitary hormone release have not been reported. We show here that in the clonal GH4C1 pituitary cell line maximal concentrations of adenosine (greater than or equal to 50 microM) inhibited PRL and GH secretion by 40%. Adenosine deaminase abolished the inhibitory effect of adenosine but not that of SRIF or (-)N6(R-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA), a nonhydrolyzable adenosine analog. Furthermore, this enzyme increased basal secretion by 50%, and analysis of the incubation medium by HPLC demonstrated that the cells secreted biologically effective concentrations of adenosine. These results indicate that adenosine produced in culture tonically inhibits hormone release. In other target cells, adenosine inhibition is mediated by two types of binding sites: an extracellular Ri-site requiring an intact ribose moiety or an intracellular P-site requiring an intact purine ring. Four lines of evidence indicate that in GH4C1 cells, adenosine acts at an Ri-site. PIA, an Ri-site-specific agonist, was a potent inhibitor of hormone release (ED50 = 30 nM). Theophylline, an Ri-site antagonist, competitively inhibited the action of PIA (Ki = 2.4 microM). 3) 2'5'-Dideoxyadenosine, a P-site-specific agonist, did not inhibit PRL release even at a concentration of 1 mM. 4) Dipyridamole, an adenosine uptake inhibitor, did not reduce adenosine inhibition. In addition to its effect on basal secretion, PIA inhibited stimulation of hormone release by vasoactive intestinal peptide and TRH. PIA also reduced vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated cAMP accumulation by 75%, consistent with its action to inhibit adenylate cyclase via Ri receptors in other targets. Since PIA inhibition of PRL release and cAMP accumulation was not additive with the effects of SRIF and carbamyl choline, these inhibitors may act via a common rate-limiting step. Our results demonstrate that adenosine activates an Ri-type of adenosine receptor in GH4C1 cells and that the production of adenosine under normal culture conditions causes autocrine inhibition of secretion.

Peptide specificity for stimulation of corticotropin secretion: activation of overlapping pathways by the vasoactive intestinal peptide family and corticotropin-releasing factor.

The hypothalamic peptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulates ACTH and endorphin secretion by the AtT20/D16 clonal strain of mouse pituitary tumor cells. The dose dependence for VIP stimulation of hormone release is biphasic, indicating that VIP is able to activate at least two classes of receptors in D16 cells (ED50 = 1.6 and 160 nM). We show that at high concentrations (ED50 greater than or equal to 150 nM), other natural peptides with primary structures homologous to that of VIP also increased ACTH secretion by D16 cells, whereas structurally unrelated peptides did not. The stimulatory actions of GH-releasing factor (GRF) and porcine heptacosapeptide with amino-terminal histidine and carboxy-terminal isoleucine amide (PHI) were mediated by high affinity VIP receptors because their effects were not additive with that of 10 nM VIP. In addition, GRF and PHI behaved as antagonists at low affinity VIP receptors; both peptides inhibited stimulation by 1 microM VIP. In contrast, glucagon and gastric inhibitory polypeptide appeared to stimulate ACTH release via low affinity VIP receptors because their effects were additive with that of 10 nM, but not 1 microM, VIP. Since all of the VIP-like peptides increased ACTH secretion only at high concentrations, they were unlikely to represent a physiological ligand for the receptor activated by high concentrations of VIP. Therefore, we determined whether cross-reactivity occurred between VIP-like peptides and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a potent stimulator of ACTH secretion both in vitro and in vivo. The dose-response curve for CRF stimulation of ACTH secretion by D16 cells extended over more than a 1000-fold range of concentrations and was biphasic (ED50 = 2.6 and greater than 300 nM), indicating that CRF interacted with multiple receptor types in D16 cells. However, since the effect of 10 nM CRF was additive with that of 1 microM VIP, the CRF receptor was not the site at which high concentrations of VIP stimulated ACTH release. In contrast, the effect of 1 microM CRF was not additive with that of 1 microM VIP or other VIP-like peptides. Therefore, high concentrations of CRF and the previously recognized VIP-like peptides stimulated ACTH secretion by overlapping pathways. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of CRF with those of the VIP-like peptides showed that 18 of the 41 amino acids in CRF match a corresponding amino acid in at least 1 member of the VIP peptide family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Somatostatin inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in GH pituitary cells.

Somatostatin (SRIF) has previously been shown to inhibit both basal and hormone-stimulated PRL secretion from GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells. In this study we examined the ability of SRIF to modulate cAMP accumulation in GH4C1 cells to determine whether such alterations mediate its biological effects. SRIF did not cause statistically significant changes in basal cAMP accumulation. Of six PRL secretagogues examined, only vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) increased cAMP accumulation significantly: TRH, bombesin, epidermal growth factor, insulin, and the tumor promoter, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate were without effect. When SRIF was added simultaneously with VIP, it inhibited maximal VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation (55 +/- 3%, mean +/- SE) without changing the ED50 for VIP (3.0 +/- 0.2 nM). Inhibition by SRIF was not due to altered kinetics of VIP stimulation, since the half-time for VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation was 2 min both in the absence and presence of 100 nM SRIF. SRIF did not inhibit isobutylmethylxanthine-stimulated cAMP accumulation, and the presence of 0-10 mM isobutylmethylxanthine did not alter the inhibitory effect of SRIF on VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Therefore, SRIF must act primarily to modulate VIP activation of adenylate cyclase activity. Inhibition of VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation occurred at concentrations of SRIF (ID50 = 1.2 +/- 0.1 nM) close to the equilibrium dissociation constant for receptor binding (Kd = 0.6 +/- 0.2 nM). Furthermore, the potencies of a series of SRIF analogs to inhibit VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation correlated with the apparent Kd of each peptide for binding to the SRIF receptor. In addition, SRIF did not reduce VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in GH(1)2C1 cells, which lack SRIF receptors. We conclude that SRIF inhibits VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation by a receptor-mediated process that may be causally related to the ability of SRIF to inhibit VIP-dependent PRL secretion.

Bombesin stimulates prolactin and growth hormone release by pituitary cells in culture.

Bombesin (BBS) has been previously shown to stimulate the secretion of PRL and GH in steroid-primed rats. To determine whether these effects were mediated by the central nervous system or were due to direct action on the pituitary gland, we studied the interaction of BBS with GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary cells which synthesizes and secretes PRL and GH. The addition of 100 nM BBS to GH4C1 cells for 60 min increased PRL release to 140 +/- 3% of the control value (mean +/- SE) and GH release to 133 +/- 5% of the control value. Stimulation of hormone secretion was observed within 15 min of treatment with 100 nM BBS and continued for at least 2 h. Half-maximal stimulation of PRL release occurred with 0.5 nM BBS, and a maximal effect was observed with 10 nM peptide. The BBS analogs ranatensin, litorin, and [Tyr4]BBS, each at a concentration of 100 nM, caused the same stimulation of PRL release as maximal concentrations of BBS itself. BBS stimulated hormone release selectively in two of five different clonal pituitary cell strains examined. Pretreatment of GH4C1 cells with 1 nM estradiol and/or 100 nM insulin resulted in more powerful stimulation of PRL release by both TRH and BBS. When epidermal growth factor and vasoactive intestinal peptide were added simultaneously with BBS, PRL release was greater than in the presence of either peptide alone. In contrast, the stimulatory effects of TRH and BBS were not additive. Somatostatin inhibited both basal and stimulated PRL release. Thus, low concentrations of BBS can directly stimulate PRL and GH release by a clonal pituitary cell strain in culture. These results suggest that BBS may stimulate PRL and GH secretion in vivo by direct action on the pituitary gland.

Inhibition of adrenocorticotropin secretion by somatostatin in pituitary cells in culture.

AtT20/D16v is a clonal strain of mouse pituitary tumor cells which synthesizes and secretes ACTH. Somatostatin, a hypothalamic tetradecapeptide, has been shown to inhibit the release of PRL, GH, and TSH from the pituitary gland. We have characterized specific binding sites for somatostatin on AtT20/D16v cells and demonstrate that somatostatin inhibits stimulated ACTH release by these cells. Equilibrium binding studies with [125I]Tyr1]somatostatin showed the presence of a single class of noninteracting binding sites on AtT20/D16v cells. Half-maximal binding of somatostatin occurred at 1.7 X 10(-9) M, and there were 26,300 binding sites/cell. The binding of [125I]Tyr1]somatostatin was not significantly inhibited by the hypothalamic peptides TRH, LHRH, and substance P. Somatostatin had no consistent effect on basal ACTH secretion by AtT20/D16v cells, but it inhibited ACTH secretion stimulated with either 50 mM KCl or a hypothalamic extract. Half-maximal inhibition occurred with 4 X 10(-10) M somatostatin. TRH, LHRH, and substance P at concentrations of 10(-7) M were without effect. Somatostatin had no effect on either basal or stimulated hormone secretion by GH12C1 or F4C1 cells, two cell strains which lack specific somatostatin-binding sites. A critical concentration of extracellular calcium was required for the stimulation of ACTH secretion in AtT20/D16v cells. No response to 50 mM KCl occurred in the presence of EGTA or cobalt. Increased extracellular calcium overcame the inhibition of stimulated hormone secretion by EGTA, cobalt, and somatostatin. Therefore, we conclude that the inhibition of stimulated ACTH secretion by somatostatin involves the interaction of the peptide with specific binding sites on AtT20/D16v cells and the inhibition of stimulus-elicited calcium influx.

Somatostatin inhibits basal and vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated hormone release by different mechanisms in GH pituitary cells.

Somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits both basal and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated hormone secretion by the GH4C1 clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells. We have previously shown that SRIF inhibits cAMP accumulation stimulated by VIP but does not alter basal cAMP levels in this cell line. To determine the importance of changes in cAMP accumulation in the mechanism of SRIF action, we have compared the effect of SRIF on hormone release stimulated by VIP and two other secretagogues which increase effective intracellular cAMP concentrations: forskolin and 8-Bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP). VIP stimulated GH and PRL secretion to the same maximal extent (220% of control) with similar ED50 values (0.37 +/- 0.03 and 0.43 +/- 0.08 nM, mean +/- SE, respectively). SRIF (100 nM) reduced maximal VIP-stimulation of both GH and PRL release from 220 to 140% of control; however, it did not significantly change the ED50 values for VIP. The effect of SRIF on VIP-stimulated hormone release parallels its action on VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Furthermore, the concentrations of SRIF required to produce half-maximal inhibition of VIP-stimulated GH and PRL release (0.8 +/- 0.2 nM and 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM, respectively) were similar to its potency to inhibit VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation (1.2 +/- 0.1 nM). These data indicate that changes in cAMP levels mediate inhibition of VIP-stimulated hormone secretion by SRIF. Forskolin increased cAMP accumulation with an ED50 value of 2.4 +/- 0.5 microM. A maximal concentration of forskolin (100 microM) stimulated cAMP accumulation to a greater extent than 100 nM VIP (34 +/- 4-fold vs. 9 +/- 1-fold). Together, forskolin (100 microM) and VIP (100 nM) stimulated cAMP accumulation by more than 50-fold. However, PRL secretion in response to maximal concentrations of VIP or forskolin individually or together were the same (approximately 200% of control). These results support the conclusion that both compounds stimulate PRL secretion by a cAMP-mediated mechanism which can be fully activated by either one alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The somatostatin receptor is directly coupled to adenylate cyclase in GH4C1 pituitary cell membranes.

Somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the GH4C1 strain of rat pituitary tumor cells, and this effect is responsible for SRIF inhibition of VIP-stimulated hormone release. In this study we examined the interaction between the SRIF receptor and adenylate cyclase in GH4C1 cell membranes. Maximal concentrations of VIP (50 nM) increased membrane adenylate cyclase activity 4.2-fold; half-maximal stimulation was observed with 0.75 nM VIP. SRIF noncompetitively inhibited the stimulatory effect of VIP, but it did not alter basal adenylate cyclase activity. The relative potencies of SRIF and two SRIF analogs as inhibitors of VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes and of VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in intact cells were similar. Furthermore, the concentration of SRIF that caused half-maximal inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity (ED50 = 2.3 nM) was close to the equilibrium dissociation constant for SRIF (Kd = 0.40 nM) measured in membrane preparations in the presence of GTP. Therefore, SRIF inhibition of adenylate cyclase appears to be receptor mediated. As with receptors known to regulate adenylate cyclase by interaction with a guanine nucleotide regulatory subunit, SRIF receptor binding was decreased in the presence of guanine nucleotides. Addition of GTP (150 microM) or the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (100 microM) decreased the specific binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF to 31% and 13% of the control value, respectively. This decrease in specific binding was due entirely to decreased receptor affinity for SRIF. GTP (150 microM) increased the equilibrium dissociation constant for SRIF from 0.11 to 0.40 nM, whereas the number of binding sites was unaffected by the nucleotide (Bmax = 0.2 pmol/mg protein). Analysis of dissociation kinetics demonstrated that in the absence of guanyl nucleotides, the rate of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF dissociation was first order (t 1/2 = 180 min). However, in the presence of a half-maximal concentration of guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (0.3 microM), [125I-Tyr1]SRIF dissociation occurred with biphasic kinetics. Fifty percent of the specifically bound peptide dissociated at the same rate as that observed in the absence of nucleotide, whereas the remainder dissociated 15 times more rapidly (t 1/2 = 9.6 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Characterization of a biotinylated somatostatin analog as a receptor probe.

The neuropeptide somatostatin (SRIF) triggers its biological effects by binding to high affinity membrane receptors. To develop a ligand useful for receptor affinity purification and localization, we have examined the ability of a novel monobiotinylated SRIF derivative to bind to receptors and streptavidin. Unlabeled [N-Biotinyl, Leu8, D-Trp22, Tyr25]SRIF28 (Bio-SRIF28) competed for [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding to GH4C1 pituitary cell membranes with a Ki of 337 +/- 95 pM, comparable to that of native SRIF (193 +/- 16 pM). Studies using HPLC purified [125I]Bio-SRIF28 showed that equilibrium binding to membranes occurred within 120 min at 30 C and that the peptide-receptor complex dissociated slowly (t1/2 = 4.7 h). Analysis of saturation binding data gave an equilibrium dissociation constant for [125I]Bio-SRIF28 of 66 +/- 20 pM. Photoaffinity cross-linking of [125I]Bio-SRIF28 to membranes covalently labeled a broad 85 kDa band, as previously reported with the photolabile SRIF analog, [125I-Tyr11, Azidonitrobenzoyl-Lys4]SRIF. The binding of [125I]Bio-SRIF28 was potently inhibited by SRIF (Ki = 171 +/- 36 pM) and SRIF28 (299 +/- 102 pM) but not by structurally unrelated peptides. Furthermore, [125I]Bio-SRIF28 did not bind to membranes from GH(1)2C1 pituitary cells, which do not respond to SRIF and which lack [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding sites. Finally, GppNHp and GTP gamma S both decreased [125I]Bio-SRIF28 binding whereas AppNHp did not. These studies showed that [125I]Bio-SRIF28 bound with high affinity to specific, G-protein coupled SRIF receptors. [125I]Bio-SRIF28 also bound with high affinity to streptavidin and this binding was very stable (t1/2 for dissociation = 19 h). Therefore, the affinity of the receptor for the Bio-SRIF28-streptavidin complex was determined by measuring the potency with which this preformed complex competed for [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binding. The Ki of the Bio-SRIF28-streptavidin complex (1110 +/- 47 pM) was only 3 times higher than that of uncomplexed Bio-SRIF28 (Ki = 337 +/- 95 pM). Dissociation of the [125I]Bio-SRIF28-streptavidin complex from receptors was slow (t1/2 = 3.9 h) but was increased over 200-fold by 1 microM GTP gamma S (t1/2 < 1 min). These data show that Bio-SRIF28 was able to bind simultaneously and with high affinity both to SRIF receptors and to streptavidin to form a stable ternary complex. Further, receptor binding of the Bio-SRIF28-streptavidin complex could be regulated by the addition of guanine nucleotides. Thus, Bio-SRIF28 should be useful for the affinity purification and in situ localization of SRIF receptors.

Mechanism of thyroid hormone inhibition of thyrotropin-releasing hormone action.

The addition of thyroid hormone to cultures of GH3 or GH4C1 pituitary tumor cells maintained in medium with hypothyroid serum decreased the concentration of specific receptors for TRH. The relationship between thyroid hormone effects on TRH receptors and TRH responses was examined by testing the concentration dependence, time course, and specificity of these changes. The concentrations of T3 giving half-maximal decreases in [3H]TRH binding and inhibition of the PRL response to TRH were 0.20 and 0.24 nM, respectively. TRH stimulated the rate of [3H]uridine uptake by 50% in cultures incubated without added T3 but did not increase [3H]uridine uptake in cells incubated with thyroid hormone. The PRL response to TRH was substantially inhibited 12 h after the addition of T3, and the uridine uptake response was completely blocked in 8 h. Two other stimuli of PRL secretion, sodium butyrate and isobutylmethylxanthine, were effective in the presence or absence of T3. Thyroid hormone did not reduce the specific binding of either [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin or [125I]iodoepidermal growth factor. Somatostatin decreased the secretion of GH and PRL by pituitary tumor cells grown with or without T3. The data show that the effects of thyroid hormones on TRH receptors are specific and suggest that regulation of receptor concentrations may be the direct cause of thyroid hormone regulation of pituitary responsiveness to TRH.

Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin receptor SST2A in the rat pancreas.

Somatostatin (SRIF) acts on specific membrane receptors to inhibit exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions. Five SRIF receptor genes have been cloned, producing six receptor proteins (sst-s). We used a recently developed antibody to localize the sst2A splice variant in the rat pancreas. Western blots identified the sst2A receptor as an 90 kDa glycosylated protein in pancreatic tissue. In tyramide-amplified immunostainings all acinar cells, and the glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive cells (A and PP, respectively) were intensely labeled for sst2A, while no signal was detected in SRIF producing (D) cells. A very few insulin immunoreactive (B) cells were also labeled for sst2A, but the signal in these cells was lower than in exocrine, A or PP cells. Absorption of the sst2A antibody with the receptor peptide abolished specific staining in both immunoblots and tissue sections (negative control). These studies are the first to localize any SRIF receptor subtype in the rat pancreas. The specific localization of sst2A receptor in acinar, A and PP cells if confirmed in humans, would suggest that subtype specific analogs will be useful for the therapeutic regulation of exocrine and/or endocrine pancreatic secretion.

Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin receptor SST2A in the rat pancreas.

Somatostatin (SRIF) acts on specific membrane receptors to inhibit exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions. Five SRIF receptor genes have been cloned, producing six receptor proteins (sst-s). We used a recently developed antibody to localize the sst2A splice variant in the rat pancreas. Western blots identified the sst2A receptor as an 90 kDa glycosylated protein in pancreatic tissue. In tyramide-amplified immunostainings all acinar cells, and the glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactive cells (A and PP, respectively) were intensely labeled for sst2A, while no signal was detected in SRIF producing (D) cells. A very few insulin immunoreactive (B) cells were also labeled for sst2A, but the signal in these cells was lower than in exocrine, A or PP cells. Absorption of the sst2A antibody with the receptor peptide abolished specific staining in both immunoblots and tissue sections (negative control). These studies are the first to localize any SRIF receptor subtype in the rat pancreas. The specific localization of sst2A receptor in acinar, A and PP cells if confirmed in humans, would suggest that subtype specific analogs will be useful for the therapeutic regulation of exocrine and/or endocrine pancreatic secretion.