Constitutive and TCDD-induced expression of Ah receptor-responsive genes in the pituitary.

The 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related substances cause a wide variety of pathological alterations, with the most severe being progressive anorexia and body weight loss. These features suggest a possible involvement of the nervous system and endocrine organs, including the pituitary gland. TCDD-related toxicity is considered mainly to be mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) protein, which binds TCDD, and heterodimerizes with its partner protein, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), and binds to xenobiotica responsive elements (XREs) in the promoter regions of biotransformation genes as well as genes involved in growth, differentiation and cellular homeostasis. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of AHR responsive genes in the pituitary of untreated and TCDD treated 129/SV/C57BL/6 mice in vivo and in pituitary cells in vitro. After TCDD or beta-naphthoflavone (beta NF) treatment, the relative levels of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA and protein were dramatically increased in pituitary cells. The AHR repressor (AHRR) mRNA level was induced 7-13-fold by TCDD and beta NF. Furthermore, the expression of the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) precursor, the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene, was investigated. A three-fold increase in POMC mRNA was observed in the pituitary of TCDD treated mice. POMC mRNA level was also increased in the pituitary cell line AtT-20 after TCDD treatment. The proteins encoded by POMC translational products, ACTH and beta-endorphin, were found with immunocytochemistry staining to be increased in AtT-20 cells after TCDD exposure. The presence of several XRE sequences in the promoter region and in the first intron of the human POMC gene suggest that the up-regulation of POMC expression in the pituitary may play a role in the endocrine alterations induced by TCDD. All together, the results point to the pituitary gland being a direct target for TCDD.

Oxidative stress mediates neuronal DNA damage and apoptosis in response to cytosine arabinoside.

Cytosine arabinoside (AraC) is a nucleoside analog that produces significant neurotoxicity in cancer patients. The mechanism by which AraC causes neuronal death is a matter of some debate because the conventional understanding of AraC toxicity requires incorporation into newly synthesized DNA. Here we demonstrate that AraC-induced apoptosis of cultured cerebral cortical neurons is mediated by oxidative stress. AraC-induced cell death was reduced by treatment with several different free-radical scavengers (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, dipyridamole, uric acid, and vitamin E) and was increased following depletion of cellular glutathione stores. AraC induced the formation of reactive oxygen species in neurons as measured by an increase in the fluorescence of the dye 5-(6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. AraC produced DNA single-strand breaks as measured by single-cell gel electrophoresis and the level of DNA strand breakage was reduced by treatment with the free radical scavengers. These data support a model in which AraC induces neuronal apoptosis by provoking the generation of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative DNA damage and initiating the p53-dependent apoptotic program. These observations suggest the use of antioxidant therapies to reduce neurotoxicity in AraC chemotherapeutic regimens.

Androgen treatment of neonatal rats decreases susceptibility of cerebellar granule neurons to oxidative stress in vitro.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases. There is substantial evidence indicating that gonadal hormones can affect neuronal cell survival via both a genomic as well as a non-genomic mode of action. In the present study, the potential protective activity of testosterone on neuronal cells was investigated by using an in vitro/ex vivo model. Cerebellar granule cells (CGC) were prepared from 7-day-old rats which had been treated with a single dose of oil or testosterone propionate on postnatal day 3. After 7 days in culture, cells were exposed to oxidative challenges, including hydrogen peroxide and the nitric oxide donor S-nitrosocysteine (SNOC), which can induce CGC death via apoptosis. Colchicine, which causes apoptosis via a different mechanism, was also used. The cells were monitored for apoptotic morphology by propidium iodide and TUNEL staining. Additionally, the presence of chromatin fragmentation was determined. CGC obtained from testosterone-treated rats were found to be more resistant to hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide toxicity, as shown by a 75 and 45% decrease in apoptotic cells, respectively. In contrast, the susceptibility to colchicine was not modified. As CGC from testosterone-treated pups were selectively protected from oxidative stress, different components of the antioxidant defence systems were analysed. A twofold increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was found in the CGC prepared from testosterone-treated rats. These results suggest that in vivo treatment with androgens render CGC less vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by potentiating antioxidant defences.

Termination of lactation induces apoptosis and alters the expression of the Bcl-2 family members in the rat anterior pituitary.

After lactation, there is a massive loss of pituitary lactotrophs. The aim of this study was to investigate the events and mechanisms involved in the remodeling of the anterior pituitary after termination of lactation. Animals were analyzed at day 7 of lactation and at 4 and 7 days after pup removal. Field-inversion gel electrophoresis was used to detect high-molecular-weight DNA fragments, a characteristic feature of apoptosis. Bax and Bcl-2, proteins involved in regulation of cell survival, were studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In addition, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and p53 messenger RNA (mRNA) was analyzed by in situ hybridization. Four days after termination of lactation, a peak in high-molecular-weight DNA fragments and an increase in Bax, along with a decrease in Bcl-2 proteins, were observed, in comparison with lactation and with 7 days post lactation. The mRNAs for Bax and p53 also were increased, whereas no changes were detected in Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) mRNA levels. In summary, these findings indicate that the cell remodeling of the anterior pituitary, after the termination of lactation, occurs through the process of apoptosis and involves changes in Bax, Bcl-2, and p53.

Estradiol regulation of nitric oxide synthase mRNAs in rat hypothalamus.

Expression and estrogen regulation of the genes for nitric-oxide (NO)-synthesizing enzymes (NO synthase, NOS) were investigated by in situ hybridization. This study focused on regions of the hypothalamus that contain estrogen receptors and regulate specific neuroendocrine functions related to female sexual behavior and food intake, among others. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with vehicle or 3 micrograms/100 g estradiol benzoate (EB) for 7 days. Brains were sectioned and hybridized with antisense riboprobes for neuronal NOS, macrophage NOS and endothelial NOS. In the hypothalamus, mRNA was clearly detectable only for the neuronal NOS with the probes used. A strong hybridization signal was observed in the supraoptic paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei (SON, PVN and VMN, respectively). Quantitative analysis showed an increase in neuronal NOS mRNA in the VMN of the OVX rats treated with EB. The increase was mainly in the ventrolateral aspect of the VMN. No significant changes were observed in the hypothalamic SON and PVN. The data suggest that the expression of neuronal NOS mRNA in VMN can be regulated by estrogen.

Changes in preproenkephalin messenger RNA level in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus during the estrous cycle.

To gain a better understanding of the relationship between the female rat reproductive system and preproenkephalin (PPE) expressing neurons under physiological conditions, we examined changes in PPE mRNA levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus during the rat estrous cycle by means of northern blotting and in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH). In the Northern blot studies, we found that PPE mRNA levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus were significantly increased by noon of proestrus compared to those in the morning and stayed high until diestrus day 1, and returned toward low levels on diestrous day 2. In contrast, measured as controls, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase mRNA levels were significantly higher on proestrus regardless of time of day compared to diestrus day 2, and levels of calcineurin mRNA on proestrous and estrous were significantly lower than diestrous day 1 and day 2. ISHH studies revealed that these changes in PPE mRNA levels were specific in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus pars ventrolateralis (VMHVL), since we could not see any significant changes in signal in other parts including ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus pars dorsomedialis and arcuate hypothalamic nucleus. In the VMHVL, PPE mRNA levels in the afternoon of proestrous were significantly higher than those in the afternoon of diestrous day 2 whereas no significant change in PPE mRNA was observed in the caudate-putamen. The present study provides additional information relevant to possible implications of PPE gene expression in female reproductive systems, since changes in PPE mRNA levels may be associated with estrogen as well as progesterone or other hormonal concentrations during the estrous cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of the transcription factor NF-KB in GH3 pituitary cells.

Since several genes expressed in the pituitary can bind the transcription factor NF-KB, its presence and regulation was examined in the GH3 pituitary cell line. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts and an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the Ig KB binding site was employed to identify activated NF-KB. One complex possessed properties characteristic of NF-KB: co-migration with an NF-KB complex and binding specificity restricted to NF-KB binding DNA sequences. Antibodies to the NF-KB subunits NFKB1p50 (p50) and RelA (p65) interacted with the extract-DNA complex. Activation of NF-KB in GH3 cells was increased by PMA or the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. A synergy between PMA and TNF or a calcium mobilizing agent was seen in NF-KB activation. Further TNF activation was enhanced by TRH. These observations indicate the presence of NF-KB in GH3 cells and demonstrate its activation by hormones/second messengers that act on pituitary cells.

Inhibition of translational initiation by metalloendoprotease antagonists. Evidence for involvement of sequestered Ca2+ stores.

Synthetic oligopeptide inhibitors of metalloendoprotease activity have been shown to block membrane fusion events, to slow transport of secretory proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi, and to perturb Ca2+ homeostasis. Effects of such agents on translational activity, which requires Ca2+ sequestered putatively within the ER, were examined in this study. Cbz-Gly-Phe-NH2 (where Cbz is benzyloxycarbonyl) provoked rapid inhibition of amino acid incorporation into a broad spectrum of proteins in GH3 pituitary, C6 glial, and Neuro-2a cells but not in reticulocytes, which lack ER. Polysome accumulation and incorporation were reduced concurrently, indicating that the dipeptide acted to slow translational initiation. Inhibitions were largest at low extracellular Ca2+, were reversed by increasing extracellular Ca2+, were comparable to those achieved in the presence of EGTA or Ca2+ ionophores, and were observed with assorted metalloendoprotease antagonists but not with leupeptin. At concentrations inhibitory to protein synthesis Cbz-Gly-Phe-NH2 mobilized cell-associated 45Ca, lowered cytosolic free Ca2+, and did not generate inositol phosphates. Cells treated for 3-4 h with Cbz-Gly-Phe-NH2 reacquired the ability to synthesize proteins at nearly normal rates; a phorbol ester or cAMP-elevating agent was necessary for such recovery in GH3, but not C6 or Neuro-2a, cells. GRP78, which may function in the folding and assembly of secretory proteins and in translational accommodation to agents that deplete sequestered Ca2+ stores, was induced during such treatments. Accumulation of GRP78 mRNA in treated preparations was reduced as extracellular Ca2+ was increased. Extended exposure to dipeptide followed by brief recovery in its absence rendered protein synthesis resistant to inhibition by Ca2+ ionophore. It is concluded that metalloendoprotease antagonists suppress translational initiation as a consequence of their capacity to mobilize sequestered Ca2+ stores.

Platelet activating factor induces inositol phosphate accumulation in cultures of rat and bovine anterior pituitary cells.

The phospholipid platelet-activating factor (PAF) (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) stimulated the accumulation of inositol phosphates in cultures of rat and bovine anterior pituitary cells. In response to PAF, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate showed the largest percent increase of the inositol phosphates in the presence of lithium chloride. PAF induced an increase of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, the biologically active isomer responsible for mobilization of intracellular calcium. A characterization of the PAF response indicated that PAF, but not its biologically inactive enantiomer, induced the accumulation of inositol phosphates in the rat anterior pituitary. Further, the PAF receptor antagonist L652731 reduced PAF stimulation. The ED50 for PAF-induced inositol 1,4-bisphosphate accumulation was 0.4 nM. PAF induced a rapid response that did not persist beyond 20 min. While PAF treatment of anterior pituitary cells did not alter TRH-induced inositol phosphate accumulation, it did prevent a second exposure of PAF from inducing inositol phosphate accumulation. These data suggest that PAF induces a rapid stimulation of phospholipase C causing the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and the generation of the second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diglyceride, in anterior pituitary tissue. This action is transient probably due to PAF receptor desensitization. The action of PAF on generation of inositol phosphates may account, in part, for PAF-induced secretion of PRL and GH.

Platelet-activating factor stimulates prolactin release from dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells in vitro.

The biologically active phospholipid (platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) stimulated PRL release from dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells in culture. PAF-induced PRL release was dose dependent, with threshold stimulation at 1 nM and maximal stimulation at 100 nM. Stimulation occurred as early as 1 min of incubation and persisted for 2 h. The action of PAF on PRL release is consistent with a receptor-mediated mechanism based on the observations that the action of PAF is blocked by dopamine agonists and the PAF receptor antagonists L 652731 and SRI 63072. The structural analogs 1-O-alkyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, which lack the biological activity of PAF, are not able to stimulate PRL release over the dose range 0.2-2 microM. In addition, the PAF precursor lyso PAF and diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (phosphatidylcholine) were ineffective in stimulating PRL release. PAF induced the secretion of PRL and GH but not that of LH or TSH from hemipituitaries in short term incubations. PAF did not effect PRL release from GH3 cells. In conclusion, these data indicate that PAF stimulates PRL release from primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells in a dose-related, rapid, and specific manner.

Morphine does not stimulate prolactin release during lactation.

The ability of morphine to stimulate prolactin and growth hormone (GH) release was investigated in male rats and in female rats during diestrus, proestrus and lactation. In agreement with previous reports, acute morphine administration produced an increase in circulating levels of prolactin in male and in diestrous and proestrous female rats. In contrast to these results, morphine administration (10 or 15 mg/kg, s.c.; 5 mg/kg, i.v.; 5 or 10 micrograms, i.c.v.) did not produce an increase in prolactin levels in lactating dams. Morphine stimulates prolactin release in part by decreasing dopamine turnover in the tuberoinfundibular neurons in the median eminence. In order to assess the functional activity of these neurons during lactation, haloperidol (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) was given to lactating dams. There was a significant increase in prolactin levels following haloperidol administration, suggesting that these dopaminergic neurons are participating in the modulation of prolactin release during lactation. In contrast to the insensitivity of the lactating rat to morphine stimulation of prolactin release, the intraventricular administration of two other opiate receptor agonists, beta-endorphin (10 or 20 micrograms) and [D-Ala-D-Leu]enkephalin (DADLE; 5 or 10 micrograms), produced significant increases in circulating levels of this hormone. The GH response to morphine, beta-endorphin and DADLE was also measured in these same rats. All these opiate receptor agonists stimulated GH release in male rats and in female rats during diestrus and proestrus as well as during lactation. These observations suggest that the suckling stimulus during lactation renders the rat refractory to morphine stimulation of prolactin release, possibly as a result of down-regulation of the mu-opiate receptor subtype.

Effects of RHC 80267, a diglyceride lipase inhibitor, on prolactin secretion and calcium uptake in GH3 pituitary cells.

The effect of the diglyceride lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 on the prolactin secretory process was examined in clonal anterior pituitary GH3 cells. This compound reduced basal prolactin secretion as well as secretion induced by TRH and phospholipase C but not that induced by phorbol myristate acetate. Although exogenous phospholipase C increased diglyceride, no increase in the products of diglyceride lipase was detected. Moreover, low doses of RHC 80267 were observed to effectively block potassium-stimulated 45calcium influx. It is unlikely that RHC 80267 inhibits prolactin release solely by inhibiting diglyceride lipase. These data suggest blockade of plasma membrane calcium channels as an alternate mechanism for the inhibitory actions of RHC 80267 on intact GH3 cells. These observations may have implications for RHC 80267 action in other cell types.

Prolactin release and tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuronal activity following single and double injections of morphine.

It is well established that opiate agonists alter tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic activity and consequently prolactin release. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of morphine on prolactin secretion and tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuronal activity with respect to time after administration. Additionally, the effect of an initial morphine injection on the response produced by a second injection of morphine was determined. The rate of depletion of median eminence dopamine content following synthesis inhibition by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine was used as an index of dopaminergic neuronal activity. Male rats given a single injection of morphine sulfate (15 mg/kg, s.c.) showed a significant increase in circulating prolactin levels and had a lower rate of median eminence dopamine turnover 1 h after injection. Four hours after injection, circulating prolactin levels were similar to those in vehicle treated rats, while dopamine turnover was significantly higher than controls. When two injections of morphine sulfate (15 mg/kg, s.c.) were given 4 h apart, the stimulation of prolactin release produced by the second injection was significantly attenuated. Although this second injection caused a significant decrease in dopamine turnover, the turnover rate following this injection was significantly greater than that following the initial injection. The combination of fluoxetine and 5-hydroxytryptophan (FLX/5-HTP) caused an initial increase in prolactin secretion with plasma values returning to basal levels by 4 h. When rats were pretreated with FLX/5-HTP instead of morphine, the prolactin response to an injection of morphine 4 h later was not attenuated. Similarly a FLX/5-HTP pretreatment had no influence on a second injection of FLX/5-HTP administered 4 h later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of repeated administration of estradiol benzoate on tubero-infundibular GABAergic activity in male rats.

Repeated (once a day for 8 days) but not single administration of estradiol benzoate (10 micrograms/kg, s.c.) induced a sevenfold increase in anterior pituitary gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration in male rats. GABA concentration also increased in the median eminence whereas no changes or decreases were observed in other brain regions including hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, lateral septum, hippocampus, caudate nucleus, and substantia nigra. Eight-day estradiol benzoate injection also enhanced the Vmax of median eminence glutamate decarboxylase activity without affecting the Km of the enzyme for glutamic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that repeated administration of estradiol benzoate increases the activity of the tubero-infundibular GABAergic system in male rats.

Evidence supporting a correlation between arachidonic acid release and prolactin secretion from GH3 cells.

In this study, pharmacological agents that alter phospholipase A2 activity were examined for their effects on PRL release and arachidonic acid mobilization in GH3 cells, a pituitary tumor cell line. Stimulators of phospholipase A2 activity, melittin and mastoparan, increased PRL release during short term incubation. This stimulation was reduced by carbachol, a cholinergic receptor ligand that inhibits PRL release from GH3 cells. Melittin also caused release of [3H]arachidonic acid that had previously been incorporated into phospholipids. Increased levels of free [3H]arachidonic acid in the medium were associated with a loss of radiolabel from the phospholipid fraction of the cells. The [3H]arachidonic acid in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol was reduced during melittin exposure. In contrast, two inhibitors of phospholipase A2, dibromoacetophenone (BAP) and U10029A, inhibited spontaneous PRL release. BAP also decreased basal release of [3H]arachidonic acid, blocked melitin-induced PRL secretion, and inhibited melittin-induced [3H] arachidonic acid release. Exogenous arachidonic acid at doses from 10 nM to 1 microM stimulated PRL secretion. The phospholipase A2 inhibitor BAP blocked TRH- and vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced PRL release, whereas U10029A blocked cAMP-induced and blunted TRH- and vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced PRL release. The hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids generating free arachidonic acid and lysophospholipid under our experimental conditions correlated with PRL secretion in GH3 cells. Addition of arachidonic acid to the culture medium stimulated PRL secretion. These data suggest that release of arachidonic acid and its subsequent actions may participate in the intracellular regulation of PRL secretion.

Effect of morphine on regional cerebral oxygen consumption and supply.

The effects of acute opiate receptor stimulation on regional cerebral oxygen consumption and blood flow were examined in 9 regions of the artificially respired, alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cat. Regional cerebral arterial and venous oxygen saturation were examined microspectrophotometrically and regional cerebral blood flow was monitored using radioactively tagged microspheres (15 +/- 3 micron in diameter). Oxygen consumption was calculated as the product of flow and oxygen extraction. In 8 cats, after control cerebral blood flow was obtained, and in 8 experimental cats after this same measurement was obtained before and 40 min after the administration of 1.5 mg/kg morphine sulfate; the cats' heads were simultaneously sawed in 3 places and quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen-cooled propane. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased by treatment. The heterogeneity of venous oxygen saturation was significantly reduced by morphine. Average cerebral blood flow, oxygen extraction and consumption were not altered significantly by morphine. Regional cerebral blood flow in the hypothalamus, thalamic oxygen extraction, and hypothalamic and thalamic oxygen consumption were significantly decreased by treatment. This low dose of morphine may produce changes in cerebral neuronal and/or synthetic activity which lowers oxygen consumption in some regions rich in opiate receptors, while not affecting overall brain oxygen supply or consumption.

Stimulation of anterior pituitary prolactin release by melittin, an activator of phospholipase A2.

Melittin, a 26-amino acid polypeptide contained in bee venom and an activator of phospholipase A2, stimulated PRL secretion from bovine anterior pituitary cells in vitro. Over the dose range 0.25-2 micrograms/ml, melittin stimulation of PRL release was dose-related, reversible, and calcium dependent. Within this same dose range melittin did not deplete cell PRL stores, nor did it alter [3H]leucine uptake or trypan blue exclusion, indicators of cell viability. The phospholipase A2 inhibitors quinacrine and dibromoacetophenone blocked stimulation of PRL release by melittin and by themselves inhibited spontaneous PRL secretion. Addition of phospholipase A2 to pituitary cell cultures was associated with increased PRL secretion. A possible product of phospholipase A2 action, arachidonic acid, also stimulated PRL release. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of arachidonic acid conversion to prostaglandins, did not block melittin-induced PRL release but instead enhanced it. These data suggest that phospholipase A2 may participate in controlling PRL secretion by causing release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. Arachidonic acid or its noncyclooxygenase metabolite may serve as an intracellular regulator of secretion in the lactotroph.

Actions of benzodiazepines on the neuroendocrine system.

The administration of benzodiazepines to rats is associated with alterations in the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones. Although basal secretion of prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was not changed by benzodiazepines, the secretory response to physiological and pharmacological stimuli was attenuated. Diazepam reduced the rise in secretion of prolactin during proestrus and the increase in release induced by stress, administration of fluoxetine plus 5-hydroxytryptophan and haloperidol. Diazepam also blocked the rise in release of TSH induced by exposure to cold. To establish haloperidol. Diazepam also blocked the rise in release of TSH induced by exposure to cold. To establish the site at which benzodiazepines act, anterior pituitary binding for [3H]diazepam was characterized. Scatchard analysis indicated a Kd of 11 nM and a Bmax of 27 fmol/10(6) cells. In cultures of anterior pituitary cells diazepam enhanced the inhibition of prolactin secretion produced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine. The potency of benzodiazepine analogues established that the benzodiazepine binding site in the pituitary belonged to the peripheral subtype of benzodiazepine receptors. However, the potency of analogues for inhibition of the release of prolactin and TSH following systemic administration indicates that benzodiazepines with affinity for the central subtype of receptors were the most potent. These data are interpreted to suggest that the actions of benzodiazepines on the neuroendocrine system result from their actions within the CNS on the neurons involved in the regulation of pituitary function. In addition, peripheral benzodiazepine receptors are present on cells of the anterior pituitary and these binding sites can modulate secretion of prolactin in response to its inhibitory regulators.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid- and benzodiazepine-binding sites in human anterior pituitary tissue.

The existence of a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in human anterior pituitary tissue was examined. Crude membrane fractions prepared from human anterior pituitary tissue bound tritiated GABA. The binding was saturable, and Scatchard analysis indicated a single binding site of high affinity (Kd = 40 nM) and a maximum binding of 1.2 pmol/mg protein. Binding was displaced in a dose-related manner by the GABA agonists muscimol (KI = 1 X 10(-8) M), isoguvacine (KI = 6 X 10(-7) M), THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol); KI = 5 X 10(-6) M), and the antagonist (+)bicuculline (KI = 5 X 10(-5) M) but not its inactive stereoisomer (-)bicuculline (KI greater than 10(-3) M). In anterior pituitary tissue, a significant concentration of GABA was found (mean, 2.5 +/- 0.5 nmol/mg protein) but no glutamic acid decarboxylase activity, the enzyme synthesizing GABA, was detected using a highly sensitive assay. In addition, benzodiazepine binding was present. An affinity of approximately 15 nM and a Bmax of approximately 0.75 pmol/mg protein were observed when using [3H]diazepam as the ligand. No saturable clonazepam binding occurred, and only slight GABA stimulation of diazepam binding was observed (mean, 18%; range, 6-38%). The ability of GABA and benzodiazepine to alter PRL secretion in rats suggests that the human pituitary GABA-binding sites described here might also mediate effects on PRL release.