Production of plasmids giving high expression of recombinant DNA-derived ovine growth hormone variants in Escherichia coli

A method for the production of plasmids giving different levels of expression of ovine growth hormone (oGH) variants in E. coli is described. The cDNA sequence coding for mature oGH was inserted into the multiple cloning site of plasmid pUC8 and random deletions were then introduced 3' to the initiation codon. Clones producing GH (with varying N-terminal extensions) were identified by immunological screening. Levels of expression of GH-related protein, measured by immunoassay or on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, varied from over 20% to less than 0.05% of total cell protein. The coding sequence of plasmid pOGHe101, giving very high expression of variant oGH1, was determined.

Are three views necessary to examine acute ankle injuries?

In a retrospective review of the radiographs of 945 patients whose ankles were X-rayed for acute trauma over a 6 month period 95.3% of the 128 fractures identified were seen on anteroposterior and lateral films. The identification of six additional minor fractures by means of the 15 degrees internal oblique radiograph did not alter the management of individual patients and it is concluded that the routine use of oblique views is not justified. Radiological evidence of soft tissue swelling was present in 125 of the 128 fractures. The three patients in whom it was not seen had clinical evidence of local swelling and bruising. These findings indicate that fractures are highly unlikely to be present in the absence of local soft tissue swelling.

Human growth hormone stimulates somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I production by the human lymphoid cell line, IM-9

The human lymphoid cell line, IM-9, is known to possess receptors for human growth hormone (hGH), but the only biological response that has been shown to follow binding of this hormone to the cells is receptor down-regulation. We have studied the actions of hGH on production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) by IM-9 cells. In order to demonstrate effects cells had to be transferred to a serum-free medium in which cell multiplication almost ceased, and cell viability fell to 50-60%. hGH stimulated IGF-I production by up to 400%. The effect was dose-related, but the dose-response curve was bimodal, with peaks of activity at approximately 15 ng/ml and 1000 ng/ml hGH. The effect of hGH was of slow onset, becoming significant only after about 24 h, and approaching a maximum after 2-5 days of treatment. hGH had a much greater stimulatory effect than non-primate growth hormones. The physiological significance of the effect observed is not yet clear, but it is apparent that the IM-9 line is a potentially useful model for study of the actions of growth hormone.

The prevalence of pleural effusions in pre-eclampsia: an ultrasound study

A prospective ultrasound study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of pleural effusion in patients with moderate or severe pre-eclampsia. The costophrenic angles of 34 consecutive patients were scanned postpartum with a real-time sector scanner. Six patients had pleural effusions. These patients did not have a greater degree of hypertension or proteinuria than the group without pleural effusion but had early severe disease requiring early delivery. The prematurity of these infants resulted in tenfold increase in perinatal death.

Actions of pertussis toxin on the inhibitory effects of dopamine and somatostatin on prolactin and growth hormone release from ovine anterior pituitary cells

Forskolin and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate stimulate prolactin and GH release from ovine anterior pituitary cells cultured in vitro. Dopamine and somatostatin inhibit release of prolactin and GH respectively, after stimulation by these agents, but without effects on intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. In each case the inhibitory effects were reversed by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin, in a dose-related fashion (1-100 ng/ml), again without affecting cyclic AMP levels. The results suggest that the inhibitory effects of dopamine and somatostatin in this system are mediated by one or more pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, and that these act by a mechanism which does not involve inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

Regulation of growth hormone secretion and cyclic AMP metabolism in ovine pituitary cells: interactions involved in activation induced by growth hormone-releasing hormone and phorbol esters

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and the phorbol ester tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) each stimulated a rapid and extensive (up to 15-fold) increase in the secretion of growth hormone from cultured ovine anterior pituitary cells. Effects of the releasing hormone on growth hormone secretion were associated with a concurrent, large increase in cellular cyclic AMP accumulation. TPA induced a much smaller (26-78%), though still significant, increase in cellular cyclic AMP levels. Forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) also stimulated growth hormone secretion and cyclic AMP accumulation. When combined with a maximally effective concentration of GHRH these compounds did not further elevate growth hormone secretion even though they induced further increases in cyclic AMP concentration; this is consistent with activation occurring via a common cyclic AMP-dependent pathway. In contrast TPA when combined with maximally effective concentrations of either GHRH, forskolin or IBMX caused additional release of growth hormone, suggesting that the TPA-induced secretion involved a cyclic AMP-independent process. However, TPA also markedly potentiated the cellular cyclic AMP accumulation due to each of these agents. That TPA induced stimulation of basal and GHRH-stimulated cyclic AMP levels measured in the presence of IBMX suggests an action affecting cyclic AMP synthesis. Carbachol had no effect on basal or GHRH-stimulated growth hormone secretion or cyclic AMP levels. The two actions of TPA, one on secretion and one on cyclic AMP metabolism, may result from activation of some common event possibly involving protein kinase C. Our results suggest that GHRH and TPA activate independent pathways regulating growth hormone secretion.

Mechanisms involved in the effects of TRH on GHRH-stimulated growth hormone release from ovine and bovine pituitary cells

Incubation of cultured ovine pituitary cells with growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (10(-12)-10(-7) M) stimulated growth hormone secretion up to 3-fold. At a maximal stimulatory concentration of GHRH (10(-10) M), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10(-7) M) caused an inhibition of growth hormone release to approx. 50% of the response obtained with GHRH alone (during a 15 min incubation period). TRH also caused a small inhibition of the GHRH-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP level but this effect was only significant at a relatively high concentration of GHRH (10(-9) M). Incubation of cultured bovine pituitary cells with GHRH (10(-11)-10(-8) M) plus TRH (10(-7) M) caused a significant stimulation of growth hormone release by up to 40%, compared with the response obtained with GHRH alone (at all concentrations of GHRH). TRH (10(-7) M) had no effect on GHRH (10(-8) M)-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP levels in a partially purified bovine pituitary cell preparation. The effects of varying extracellular [Ca2+] (0.1-10 mM) on intracellular [Ca2+] and on the responsiveness to releasing hormones were also determined using ovine pituitary cells. GHRH (10(-10) M)-stimulated growth hormone release was inhibited when cells were incubated at both high (10 mM) and low (0.1 mM) [Ca2+] (compared with 1 mM or 3 mM Ca2+) with or without TRH (10(-7) M). At 1 mM Ca2+, TRH produced a synergistic effect with GHRH to stimulate growth hormone release. However, at 3 mM Ca2+ TRH inhibited GHRH-stimulated growth hormone release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison of lactogenic receptors from rat liver and Nb2 rat lymphoma cells by using cross-linking techniques

Lactogenic receptors were analysed with the use of the cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate to attach covalently 125I-labelled ovine prolactin or human growth hormone to binding sites from (1) liver from pregnant rats and (2) the rat-derived Nb2 lymphoma cell line. Analysis by SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the proteins cross-linked to labelled hormone in rat liver indicated a major specifically-labelled complex with an Mr of 68,000-72,000, when run under reducing or non-reducing conditions. With Nb2 cells a major specifically-labelled complex with an Mr of 97,000-110,000 was identified, but only when electrophoresis was run using reducing conditions. Assuming one hormone molecule (Mr 22,000-24,000) per hormone-receptor complex, then the receptor proteins have an Mr of 44,000-50,000 for rat liver and 73,000-88,000 for the Nb2 cells. For both cell types the receptors were of lactogenic specificity; lactogenic hormones competed for binding whereas somatogenic hormones did not. These studies suggest that the lactogenic receptors in rat liver membranes and Nb2 cells differ in two respects. Firstly, the Mr of the labelled receptor protein in Nb2 cells is greater than that of the corresponding receptor protein in rat liver membranes; secondly, the Nb2 cell receptor appears to exist as a disulphide-linked oligomer whereas the receptor in rat liver membranes does not.

The molecular basis of growth hormone deficiency

A well-known law states that 'if a thing can go wrong it will go wrong'. This clearly applies to the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatic axis as to many other physiological and biochemical systems. Defects of this axis, giving rise to stunted growth, can occur at several different points, as has been discussed in detail in this review. Defects at the level of the brain can lead to inadequate production or secretion of the factors that control growth hormone secretion. Defects at the level of the pituitary can lead to failure to produce or secrete adequate quantities of growth hormone, or to production of inactive hormone. Defects at the level of target organs can lead to inability to respond to growth hormone or somatomedins. The axis involved in the production and effects of growth hormone is a complex one, and defects have been identified at most of the points that 'could go wrong', although in many cases the molecular details are far from fully understood. Increased understanding of the biochemistry and physiology of the hormonal control of growth, and of the impairments to which it is subject, should provide an improved basis for treatment of growth defects. Nevertheless, there remain many points at which our knowledge is very incomplete. The field is a rapidly moving one and further developments in both basic understanding and clinical treatment are to be expected during the next few years.

Purification of ovine somatotrophs using a combination of density gradient centrifugation and short-term culture

Freshly dispersed or cultured (18 h) ovine anterior pituitary cells were fractionated on 55% sigmoidal Percoll gradients. This resulted in the separation of two sub-populations of cells at densities of 1.075 g/ml (peak I) and 1.055 g/ml (peak II). Radioimmunoassay of fractions from a gradient on which cells were separated before culture showed the profiles of GH and prolactin to be virtually superimposable. After culture, however, the lactotroph population exhibited an apparent shift in its density profile, the lighter population increasing at the expense of the denser one. Immunocytochemistry of the cells remaining in the denser peak (peak I) showed that it consisted of about 65% somatotrophs which was approximately a three-fold enrichment over the proportion of somatotrophs present in the original cell preparation (24%). Refractionation studies indicated that the change in the density profile of the lactotrophs was due to an actual reduction in their density rather than a loss of viability of the denser sub-population. Secretion data showed the purified somatotrophs to be more responsive than the crude cell preparation to the regulatory factors, GH-releasing hormone and somatostatin. This enriched cell population should prove useful in the detailed study of GH secretion.

Monoclonal antibodies to bovine growth hormone potentiate effects of the hormone on somatomedin C levels and growth of hypophysectomized rats

Bovine growth hormone (50 micrograms/day) elevated somatomedin C levels in plasma of hypophysectomized rats: the effect was seen 12 h after the first injection and was sustained throughout a 7-day treatment period. When monoclonal antibodies to bovine growth hormone were administered with the hormone the stimulation of somatomedin C levels was markedly enhanced, as were effects on body weight. Each one of a panel of 7 monoclonal antibodies potentiated the actions of the hormone on growth and somatomedin C levels, though the extent and pattern of potentiation varied considerably from one antibody to another. Effects on growth and somatomedin C levels correlated fairly well, though there were some discrepancies.

In-vitro evidence for the autoregulation of prolactin secretion at the level of the pituitary gland in the rat

The autoregulation of rat prolactin secretion at the level of the pituitary gland was investigated, using a static incubation system. The rate of prolactin secretion from the female anterior pituitary gland in vitro was found to be constant when the medium was changed at 20-min intervals. However, when the medium was left unchanged and secretory products were allowed to accumulate, prolactin secretion began to decline within 60 min. This effect was not observed with the male tissue, where the level of accumulated prolactin did not reach that at which the inhibition occurred using female tissue. The nature of the putative secretory product causing the inhibition of prolactin secretion was investigated. Exogenous bovine prolactin (1-4 mg/l) caused an inhibition of endogenous rat prolactin secretion. Inclusion of monoamine oxidase in unchanged medium, to prevent dopamine accumulation in the medium (a possible consequence of co-storage and co-secretion with prolactin granules), did not prevent the inhibition observed in the control incubation. We therefore conclude that in-vitro autoregulation of prolactin secretion can occur at the level of the pituitary gland, probably due to the accumulated prolactin having a feedback action on the lactotroph. This might be of physiological significance if localized concentrations of the hormone within the gland are high.

Heterogeneity of growth-hormone receptors detected with monoclonal antibodies to human growth hormone

The specificity of hormone-receptor interactions has been examined with the aid of monoclonal antibodies (MABs) (EB1, EB2, QA68 and NA71) defining four non-overlapping antigenic determinants on human growth hormone (hGH). The results indicate that growth-hormone receptors in liver obtained from different sources differ with regard to their affinities and relative numbers; they may also differ with respect to the region of the growth-hormone molecule to which they bind. Antibody NA71 effectively inhibited hormone binding to all receptor preparations tested, although with various degrees of potency. Monoclonal antibody EB1 demonstrated a graded inhibition with respect to its ability to block 125I-hGH binding to receptors from various sources, the maximum inhibition being seen in receptor preparations from mouse and ovine liver and the minimum in rat liver. MABs EB2 and QA68 also showed various abilities to inhibit hormone-receptor interaction, depending on the origin of the receptor preparation. Furthermore, the receptor-binding characteristics of hormone-antibody complexes were dependent on whether the binding-site preparation was derived from pregnant, lactating or 'normal' animals. A particularly striking difference between the ability of hormone-MAB complexes to bind to receptors from different sources was seen for microsomes (microsomal fractions) derived from livers of animals of the 'Little' mouse strain. These animals become progressively obese, and it was shown that MABs were considerably more effective in inhibiting 125I-labelled hGH binding to microsomes from phenotypically obese mice than to those derived from their non-obese littermates. The results can be explained by the presence of multiple receptor types for GH, the relative proportions of which vary according to the physiological state of the animal, and possibly between species.

Effects of dopamine and somatostatin on phorbol ester-stimulated prolactin and growth hormone secretion

Incubation of cultured ovine pituitary cells with the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (0.1-100 nM), caused a dose-related stimulation of both growth hormone (ED50 approximately 4 nM) and prolactin (ED50 approximately 14 nM) secretion. Stimulation by TPA (100 nM) produced a substantial 10-fold increase in growth hormone with a smaller, 2-fold rise in prolactin secretion over 30 min; significant effects on the release of both hormones occurred within 2 min. Treatment with TPA also produced a small, time- and concentration-dependent rise in cellular cyclic AMP content which reached, at maximum, a level 20-30% over basal values. Non-tumor-promoting phorbol esters did not stimulate the secretion of either growth hormone or prolactin. In the presence of TPA (10 nM), dopamine (1-1000 nM) suppressed prolactin secretion to a level close to that observed for maximal inhibition of unstimulated cells. At high concentrations (0.1-1.0 microM) dopamine also partially attenuated (by 43%) the TPA-induced stimulation of growth hormone secretion. Somatostatin (0.01-1.0 microM) completely inhibited the substantial (approximately 9-fold) TPA-induced stimulation of growth hormone secretion (inhibitory ED50 approximately 47 nM), and also suppressed TPA-stimulated prolactin secretion to the control level. Our results suggest that activation of protein kinase-C may be involved in the stimulatory regulation of both growth hormone and prolactin secretion in sheep pituitary cells. Failure of TPA to attenuate the inhibitory activity of dopamine and somatostatin suggests that inhibitory regulation occurs at, or beyond, the point in the secretory process regulated by protein kinase-C.

Use of quin 2 to measure calcium concentrations in ovine anterior pituitary cells and the effects of quin 2 on secretion of growth hormone and prolactin

Intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i were measured in ovine anterior pituitary cells using the quin 2 technique. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) increased, dopamine decreased and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i. Loading the cells with quin 2, at an intracellular concentration less than that used during calcium determination, reduced both basal growth hormone (GH) and (to a small extent) prolactin secretion. Loading cells with quin 2 also markedly reduced GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. However, TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion was 3-times basal irrespective of quin 2 loading. The results indicate that the use of quin 2 to measure [Ca2+]i in some cell types may be complicated by actions of quin 2 on cellular function.

Somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I: simplified purification procedure and biological activities of the purified growth factor

Human somatomedin C has been purified from Cohn fraction IV paste by a simplified procedure using chromatofocusing, hydroxylapatite chromatography and reverse-phase high performance chromatography. The purified material has a specific activity by somatomedin C radioimmunoassay of 9160 units/mg (1 unit is defined as the amount of somatomedin present in 1 ml normal adult male human serum), representing a 650,000-fold purification, and possesses sulphation, mitogenic and insulin-like activities (specific activities of 3388 units/mg, 832 units insulin equivalents/mg and 1122 units/mg respectively). Somatomedin C is shown to be a potent stimulator of DNA synthesis (50% maximum stimulation at 150 fmol/ml) in isolated chondrocytes derived from costal cartilage, a major physiological target tissue.

The specificity of binding of growth hormone and prolactin to purified plasma membranes from pregnant-rabbit liver

The binding of 125I-labelled human growth hormone (hGH) to a purified plasma membrane preparation from the liver of pregnant rabbit, and to receptors solubilized from this fraction with Triton X-100, was dependent on time, temperature, the cations used and the receptor concentration. Solubilization did not affect the binding properties of the receptors at low concentrations of Triton X-100. Some somatogenic hormones, such as bovine GH, and some lactogenic hormones, such as ovine prolactin, displaced 125I-labelled hGH from purified plasma membranes and solubilized receptor preparations, but GHs and prolactins from various other species were rather ineffective. The results indicate that although there are binding sites for hGH in these pregnant rabbit liver membranes, few of these are specifically somatogenic or lactogenic. The binding properties of the purified plasma membranes are similar to those of a microsomal preparation studied previously, suggesting that the complex nature of the binding of hGH is not due to the heterogeneity of cellular membranes used to study binding, but is a property of the receptors associated with plasma membranes.

Effects of two enkephalin analogues, morphine sulphate, dopamine and naloxone on prolactin secretion from rat anterior pituitary glands in vitro

Experiments were carried out on the antagonistic effects of opiates on the inhibition by dopamine of prolactin secretion from rat anterior pituitary glands. Dose-response and time-course experiments were carried out using both static incubation of paired hemipituitary glands and perifusion of whole glands. Dopamine (10-1000 nmol/l) was found to have an inhibitory effect on prolactin secretion, but at a lower concentration (0.1 nmol/l) a small stimulation was observed. Against an inhibition established with 100 nmol dopamine/l in static incubation, the three opiates under study, morphine sulphate, Leu5-enkephalin and D-Ala2,Met5-enkephalin (DAME), had a maximum antagonistic effect at 50-1000 nmol/l in a 90-min incubation. Morphine and DAME were rather more effective than Leu5-enkephalin, possibly because of degradation of the latter. Naloxone reversed the effect of morphine. All three opiates showed little effect on dopamine-inhibited prolactin secretion in a perifusion system. The data accord with previous suggestions that prolactin secretion may be stimulated both by very low concentrations of dopamine and by opiates acting to reverse the inhibition exerted by higher dopamine concentrations. It should be noted that both morphine and the enkephalins have similar effects on prolactin secretion, despite their normal specificity for different opiate receptors; their actions on the pituitary may thus be rather non-specific.

Dopamine and somatostatin inhibit forskolin-stimulated prolactin and growth hormone secretion but not stimulated cyclic AMP levels in sheep anterior pituitary cell cultures

Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, has been used to investigate the effects of raising pituitary cell cyclic AMP concentrations on prolactin and growth hormone secretion and to examine the role of cyclic AMP in the inhibitory actions of dopamine and somatostatin. Incubation of cultured ovine pituitary cells with forskolin (0.1-10 microM; 30 min) produced a modest dose-related increase in prolactin release (120-140% of basal) but a much greater stimulation of growth hormone secretion (170-420% of basal). Cellular cyclic AMP concentrations were only increased in the presence of 1 and 10 microM forskolin (2-5.5 times basal). A study of the time course for forskolin (10 microM) action showed that stimulation of prolactin (1.5-fold) and growth hormone (4.7-fold) secretion occurred over 15 min; subsequently (15-60 min) the rate of prolactin secretion from forskolin-treated cells was equivalent to that measured in controls, while growth hormone release remained elevated. Cellular cyclic AMP concentrations were also rapidly stimulated by forskolin (10 microM); they reached a maximum (12 times control) within 15 min, and then declined (15-60 min) but remained elevated relative to those in untreated cells (4.9 times control at 60 min). Dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibited basal secretion of both prolactin and growth hormone. In the presence of forskolin (0.1-10 microM), dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibited prolactin secretion to below the basal level and considerably attenuated the stimulation of growth hormone secretion. Similarly, somatostatin suppressed both basal and forskolin-induced prolactin and growth hormone secretion. However, neither dopamine nor somatostatin significantly decreased the stimulatory effect of forskolin on cellular cyclic AMP accumulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pacemaker discomfort induced by the wearing of seat belts

A survey was made of 100 consecutive pacemaker recipients to examine problems they may have experienced with seat belts whilst travelling by car, either as drivers (29 patients) or front seat passengers (50 patients). Twenty-one per cent of the drivers and 30% of the front seat passengers had experienced symptoms, usually of a mild nature. Re-siting of the generator was only necessary in 1 patient and no example of electrode displacement was observed. Suggestions are made as to how this problem might be overcome.

Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin on growth hormone secretion and cellular cyclic AMP levels. Cultured ovine and rat anterior pituitary cells show markedly different responses

Human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF-44-NH2) stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion and intracellular cyclic AMP levels in cultured pituitary cells from both sheep and rat. Somatostatin (SRIF), over a wide range of doses and time, showed no significant effect on the elevated cyclic AMP levels in sheep cells, but did block the GH release in a dose-dependent manner. In rat cells, however, SRIF inhibited GRF-stimulated cyclic AMP levels by 75% maximum (still 8-fold greater than the basal levels) and GH release to almost half the basal value. We conclude that somatostatin inhibits GRF-elevated cyclic AMP levels in rat pituitary cells but not in sheep cells.

Studies of TRH-induced prolactin secretion and its inhibition by dopamine, using ovine pituitary cells

Prolactin secretion from ovine pituitary cell cultures was stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10(-10)-10(-7) M) with a half-maximal effect at approximately 2.5 X 10(-9) M. A maximally effective concentration of TRH produced a peak secretory response, 5-10-fold stimulation over basal release, within 15 min. Dopamine (10(-10)-10(-7) M) but not somatostatin caused a dose-related inhibition of TRH (10(-8) M) stimulated prolactin release. Both dopamine (10(-7) M) and somatostatin (10(-7) M) inhibited basal secretion from the cells. TRH did not significantly increase pituitary cell cyclic AMP levels under any of the conditions tested. Stimulation of prolactin secretion by TRH was not prevented when Ca2+ was omitted from the incubation medium. Dopamine inhibited secretion induced by TRH under low Ca2+ conditions. Our results are consistent with a hypothesis that TRH may stimulate prolactin secretion via release of intracellular Ca2+ rather than increased cellular Ca2+ uptake, and imply that dopamine inhibition involves a lowering of intracellular Ca2+ levels.

Transport of the surgical neonate

We have shown that the critically ill neonate may be safely transferred over long distances provided some essential criteria are fulfilled. There are obvious advantages in centralising neonatal surgery in a limited number of regional centres where surgical expertise and adequate support services are concentrated and there seems to be no justification, except in situations of dire emergency, for neonatal surgery to be performed in district general hospitals in the United Kingdom. The fact that neonates requiring surgery can be safely transferred adds strength to the plea for the paediatric surgeon to have an absolute monopoly of surgery in this age group.

Size heterogeneity of prolactin secreted from and stored in the rat anterior pituitary gland in vitro

The size heterogeneity of rat pituitary prolactin was investigated using anterior pituitary glands from female rats incubated in vitro and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Monomeric prolactin was preferentially secreted compared with dimeric and 'trimeric' material. When glands were incubated with dopamine, prolactin secretion was inhibited and the relative proportion of dimer in the gland (but not the medium) was decreased. Morphine sulphate reversed the effect of dopamine on prolactin secretion and on the proportion of prolactin in the gland that was in the dimeric form. The results suggest that monomeric prolactin is more readily secreted than dimer, and that dopamine decreases the production or stability of the dimer.

Effects of growth hormone-releasing factor, somatostatin and dopamine on growth hormone and prolactin secretion from cultured ovine pituitary cells

A synthetic form of human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor (GRF-44-NH2) was shown to be a potent stimulator of growth hormone (GH) secretion and cellular cyclic AMP levels in cultured sheep pituitary cells. A small dose-dependent stimulation of prolactin secretion was also observed. Somatostatin (0.5 microM) completely blocked the maximal GRF (1 nM)-stimulated secretion without a significant effect on cyclic AMP levels. Dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibited the GRF-elevated GH secretion by 50% and lowered cyclic AMP levels by 30%. Dopamine (0.1 microM) inhibition of basal prolactin secretion was not affected by GRF (1 nM). The data support the hypothesis that cyclic AMP is involved in the action of GRF but suggest that somatostatin can inhibit GRF-induced secretion of GH independently of cyclic AMP.

Binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies towards fragments of human growth hormone produced by plasmin digestion

To help define the immunological epitopes on human growth hormone (hGH), interaction of fragments of the hormone with 7 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) was studied. Plasmin-digested hGH, containing two peptides (hGH1-134 and hGH141-191) joined by a disulphide bond, bound to each McAb with affinity similar to that of intact hGH. The purified C-terminal fragment, hGH141-191, showed low affinity for each McAb. The N-terminal fragment, hGH1-134, bound with quite high affinity to 2 McAbs (EB1 and EB3) but not to the other 5. We conclude that residues 1-134 of hGH contain the epitope to which McAbs EB1 and EB3 bind.

Cell-density dependence of the rate of prolactin secretion from perifused rat anterior pituitary cells

Anterior pituitary glands from female rats were dispersed enzymically in the absence of dopamine. Dispersed cells (10(6)-10(7)) were layered onto columns containing Bio-Gel P-2 and were then perifused for 3 h with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium. The prolactin content of the perifusate and cell homogenates was determined by radioimmunoassay. Prolactin secretion during the third hour of perifusion increased as the loading of cells increased. However, the increase was not linear, and when secretion rate per 10(6) cells was calculated it was found that increased loading decreased the rate, which fell to a plateau of 1.3 +/- 0.1 (S.E.M.) ng/min per 10(6) cells at a loading of about 8 x 10(6) cells from 3.8 +/- 0.1 ng/min per 10(6) cells for a loading of 10(6) cells. This cell-density dependence of the rate of prolactin secretion in the perifusion system may be due to intercellular contact since the isolation of the tissue removes the influence of hypothalamic factors, while localized build up of prolactin (potentially causing direct autoregulation on the lactotroph) seems unlikely because of the continuous flow of medium.

Binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies towards the size variants of human growth hormone

The expression of antigenic determinants on size variants of human growth hormone (hGH) has been investigated using monoclonal antibodies of distinct combining-site specificity. Monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and polymeric (very high-molecular-weight) forms of hGH were separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and their antigenic potency was determined quantitatively by competition with 125I-labelled hGH for binding to each of four different monoclonal antibodies. With three of these antibodies the potencies of monomeric, dimeric and trimeric hGH were not significantly different, and the polymeric material was 11-13% as potent as the monomer. However, using one antibody (NA 71) the antigenic potencies of dimeric and trimeric hGH were lower (30-50%) than that of the monomer, and the polymeric material was only about 5% as potent as the monomer. These results suggest that the determinant with which antibody NA 71 interacts is close to the site of interaction between hGH monomers and apparently partially 'masked' in dimers, trimers and polymeric hGH.

Involvement of calcium ions in dopamine inhibition of prolactin secretion from sheep pituitary cells

The involvement of calcium in the regulation of prolactin secretion and a possible inhibitory mechanism of action for dopamine have been investigated. Basal prolactin secretion from cultured ovine pituitary cells was dependent on the concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the medium and was inhibited by the presence of verapamil (10 microM). The divalent cation ionophore A23187 (1 microM) caused a rapid stimulation of prolactin release from the cells. The effect was essentially complete within 10 min and subsequently secretion of prolactin occurred at close to the basal rate. A23187 had no effect on cell cyclic AMP levels. Dopamine (0.1 microM) but not verapamil (10 microM) inhibited the A23187 (10 microM) induced release of prolactin. Inhibition of basal and A23187 (1 microM) stimulated prolactin secretion occurred over a similar range of dopamine concentrations. The dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol (1 microM) reversed the inhibitory effect of dopamine (0.1 microM) on A23187-stimulated prolactin release. These results provide evidence to support the concept that control of Ca2+ handling by lactotrophs may be of fundamental importance in the regulation of prolactin secretion.

Effects of domperidone on the secretion of prolactin from rat anterior pituitary glands

The effects of omperidone on prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary glands of female rats were studied. A perifusion system and radioimmunoassay were used to study secretion; static incubations, and incorporation of [3H]leucine were used to measure biosynthesis. During perifusion, intact anterior lobes showed a constant rate of prolactin secretion for up to 5h (after a 90-min preincubation to stabilize the tissue). Incorporation studies revealed an increase in protein synthesis in perifused hemipituitary glands. When glands were treated with 10nM-domperidone , prolactin secretion began to decline after the first hour, reaching a maximum of 40-50% inhibition after a further 90 min. Growth hormone secretion showed no such decline. Inhibition of prolactin secretion continued for up to 2h after withdrawal of the drug. Treatment with 100nM-dopamine resuled in a more rapid inhibition of secretion, but the effect was reversed on withdrawal of the catecholamine. The prolactin content of perifused hemipituitary glands was measured after treatment with domperidone; the contents of control and treated glands did not differ, but were depleted compared with hemipituitary glands which had not been perifused.

A procedure for the purification of somatotrophs isolated from rat anterior pituitary glands using Percoll density gradients

We have used fractionation on density gradients of Percoll to separate the cell types in the rat anterior pituitary gland and to produce a purified preparation of somatotrophs. The method differs from those described previously which used, for example, albumin or Ficoll gradients, in being more rapid and avoiding low temperatures, and therefore gives cells with improved viability. Anterior pituitary glands from male rats were dispersed with trypsin to produce 1.5 x 10 (6) -2.0 x 10 (6) cells/gland. These were fractionated on hyperbolic density gradients of Percoll. Two bands of cells containing somatotrophs were detected, one of which (band A; density 1.075-1.082 g/cm3) contained approximately 90% somatotrophs, whereas the other (band B; density 1.055-1.068 g/cm3) contained about 70% somatotrophs mixed with other cells, especially lactotrophs. Cells in band A appeared more responsive to secretagogues than those in band B; growth hormone secretion was stimulated markedly by cyclic AMP derivatives and prostaglandin E2, and inhibited by somatostatin. Such purified somatotrophs are well suited to biochemical studies on the mechanism of the control of growth hormone secretion.

Actions of dopamine on prolactin secretion and cyclic AMP metabolism in ovine pituitary cells

Prolactin secretion from cultured sheep pituitary cells was inhibited by low concentrations of dopamine (0.1 nM-0.1 microM) with a half-maximal effect at 3 nM. At a maximally effective dose (0.1 microM) dopamine significantly inhibited prolactin secretion within 5 min. with an 80% inhibition of basal secretion over 2 h. Basal prolactin secretion was stimulated by the addition of methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) (0.3-1.0 mM) and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (2 mM), but cholera toxin (3 micrograms/ml) and prostaglandin E2 (0.1-1.0 microM), which also raised cellular cyclic AMP levels, had no effect on prolactin release. The inhibition of prolactin release by dopamine (0.1 microM) was not affected by any of these compounds. Dopamine inhibited MIX-induced cyclic AMP accumulation over a similar concentration range to the inhibition of secretion, but had no effect on the changes in cyclic AMP concentration produced by cholera toxin and prostaglandin E2. Overall the results with sheep pituitary cells suggest that lowered cyclic AMP levels do not mediate the inhibitory effects of dopamine on basal prolactin secretion, but that changes in cellular cyclic AMP levels may alter the secretion of this hormone, and dopamine may affect pituitary cell cyclic AMP concentrations in some circumstances.

An investigation of sites that bind human somatotropin (growth hormone) in the liver of the pregnant rabbit

The binding of 125I-labelled human somatotropin (growth hormone) to a crude membrane preparation from the liver of pregnant rabbit, and to receptors solubilized from this fraction by Triton X-100, was dependent on time, temperature and receptor concentration. At 4 degrees C a steady state was reached after 20 h, and maximum specific binding (as a percentage of total tracer added) was approx. 50% for both membrane-bound and solubilized receptors. Solubilization did not significantly affect the binding properties of the receptor at low concentrations of Triton X-100 (less than 0.05%, v/v, in the assay tube). However, at higher concentrations (approx. 0.1%, v/v), the detergent lowered the ability of some hormones, for example ovine prolactin, to displace 125I-labelled human somatotropin, but did not affect other hormones such as bovine somatotropin. Some somatogenic hormones, such as bovine somatotropin, and some lactogenic hormones, such as ovine prolactin, displaced 125I-labelled human somatotropin from membrane-bound and solubilized receptor preparations. Furthermore, 85% of 125I-labelled bovine somatotropin was displaced from membrane-bound receptors by ovine prolactin, and 125I-labelled ovine prolactin was almost completely displaced by bovine somatotropin. Scatchard analysis of the binding data for human somatotropin suggested a single class of binding sites in the membrane-bound receptor preparation, with an affinity (Ka) of 1.9 X 10(9) M-1 and a capacity of 1726 fmol/mg of protein; these values were slightly increased by solubilization (Ka = 3.2 X 10(9) M-1, capacity = 2103 fmol/mg of protein). Scatchard analysis of binding to membrane-bound receptors also indicated a single class of high-affinity binding sites for bovine somatotropin (Ka = 4.8 X 10(9) M-1, capacity = 769 fmol/mg) and for ovine prolactin (Ka = 6.1 X 10(9) M-1, capacity = 187 fmol/mg).

Effect of glucocorticoids, butanol extraction of serum and adrenalectomy on somatomedin levels in the rat

Serum from adrenalectomized rats was equipotent with serum from non-adrenalectomized animals when measured in a rat cartilage somatomedin bioassay. Extraction with butanol of sera from normal or adrenalectomized rats reduced their potency in the somatomedin bioassay rather than increasing it as has been previously reported. Butanol-soluble inhibitors of cartilage metabolism were found in sera from both normal and adrenalectomized rats. Cortisol and corticosterone, up to mildly supraphysiological levels, were found to have no effect on basal cartilage metabolism. These results suggest that physiological levels of glucocorticoids do not exert an inhibitory effect on the uptake of 35SO4(2-) into immature rat cartilage. Since butanol-soluble inhibitors of cartilage metabolism were found in adrenalectomized rat serum it is unlikely that these substances are glucocorticoids.

Effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion and cyclic AMP accumulation in the rat anterior pituitary gland

The effects of dopamine on pituitary prolactin secretion and pituitary cyclic AMP accumulation were studied by using anterior pituitary glands from adult female rats, incubated in vitro. During 2h incubations, significant inhibition of prolactin secretion was achieved at concentrations between 1 and 10nm-dopamine. However, 0.1-1mum-dopamine was required before a significant decrease in pituitary cyclic AMP content was observed. In the presence of 1mum-dopamine, pituitary cyclic AMP content decreased rapidly to reach about 75% of the control value within 20min and there was no further decrease for at least 2h. Incubation with the phosphodiesterase inhibitors theophylline (8mm) or isobutylmethylxanthine (2mm) increased pituitary cyclic AMP concentrations 3- and 6-fold respectively. Dopamine (1mum) had no effect on the cyclic AMP accumulation measured in the presence of theophylline, but inhibited the isobutylmethylxanthine-induced increase by 50%. The dopamine inhibition of prolactin secretion was not affected by either inhibitor. Two derivatives of cyclic AMP (dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromo cyclic AMP) were unable to block the dopamine (1mum) inhibition of prolactin secretion, although 8-bromo cyclic AMP (2mm) significantly stimulated prolactin secretion and both compounds increased somatotropin (growth hormone) release. Cholera toxin (3mug/ml for 4h) increased pituitary cyclic AMP concentrations 4-5-fold, but had no effect on prolactin secretion. The inhibition of prolactin secretion by dopamine was unaffected by cholera toxin, despite the fact that dopamine had no effect on the raised pituitary cyclic AMP concentration caused by this factor. Dopamine had no significant effect on either basal or stimulated somatotropin secretion under any of the conditions tested. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion are probably not mediated by lowering of cyclic AMP concentration, although modulation of the concentration of this nucleotide in some other circumstances may alter the secretion of the hormone.

Size heterogeneity of rat pituitary prolactin

The occurrence of multiple forms of rat prolactin with different molecular weights (size heterogeneity) was studied with anterior pituitary extracts, purified rat prolactin and 125I-labelled rat prolactin. In each case, three main forms of the hormone were detected by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100: a major one (80--90%) corresponding to monomeric prolactin (mol.wt. 22000--25000), a peak (8--20%) that could be a dimer (mol.wt. 45000--50000) and a small quantity (1--5%) of a component of much greater molecular weight. On freezing and thawing of 125I-labelled rat prolactin, there was little interconversion of monomer and 'dimer' peaks, but both were converted substantially to very high-molecular-weight material. All three peaks of 125I-labelled rat prolactin could be precipitated by anti-(rat prolactin) serum and all three gave similar patterns of radioactive peptides after digestion with chymotrypsin followed by high-voltage paper electrophoresis. On sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the monomer peak of 125I-labelled prolactin migrated as a single component of mol.wt. 22000, the very high-molecular-weight peak largely dissociated to a component running in the same position as the monomer, and the 'dimer' peak migrated partly as a component of mol.wt. 45000 and partly as a component migrating with monomeric prolactin. No treatment was found that could dissociate the 'dimer' peak completely to monomeric prolactin.

Effects of growth hormone, prolactin and thyroxine on body wegith, somatomedin-like activity and in-vivo sulphation of cartilage in hypopituitary dwarf mice

Hypopituitary dwarf mice were found to have reduced levels of serum somatomedin-like activity compared with normal mice of the Snell strain. Treatment with bovine growth hormone for 3 and 7 days resulted in growth without significantly increased levels of serum somatomedin-like activity, as detected by in-vitro uptake of 35SO4(2-) into normal rat cartilage; only after treatment for 14 days was somatomedin activity significantly raised. However, treatment for 2 days with bovine growth hormone, bovine prolactin or thyroxine resulted in a dose-dependent increase in in-vivo uptake of 35SO4(2-) into dwarf mouse costal cartilage; growth hormone and thyroxine did not act synergistically. Ten days of treatment with growth hormone promoted a dose-dependent increase in both growth (increased weight gain and tail length) and in-vivo of 35SO4(2-). Increase in tail length was correlated with uptake of 35S04(2-). Thus, in-vivo uptake of 35SO4(2-) into dwarf mouse costal cartilage provides a sensitive method for detecting a dose-related effect of growth hormone.