Role of arachidonic acid or its metabolites in growth-hormone-releasing factor-induced release of somatostatin from the median eminence

ras-p21 activates phospholipase D and A2, but not phospholipase C or PKC, in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Xenopus laevis oocytes are a powerful tool for the characterization of signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of DNA synthesis. Since activation of PLA2, PLC, or PLD has been postulated as a mediator of ras function, we have used the oocyte system to study the putative functional relationship between ras-p21 and these phospholipases. A rapid generation of PA and DAG was observed after ras-p21 microinjection, suggesting the activation of both PLC and PLD enzymes. However, production of DAG was sensitive to inhibition of the PA-hydrolase by propranolol, indicating that PLD is the enzyme responsible for the generation of both PA and DAG. Microinjection of PLD or ras-p21 induced the late production of lysophosphatidylcholine on a p42MAPK-dependent manner, an indication of the activation of a PLA2. Inhibition of this enzyme by quinacrine does not inhibit PLD- or ras-induced GVBD, suggesting that PLA2 activation is not needed for ras or PLD function. Contrary to 3T3 fibroblasts, where ras-p21 is functionally dependent for its mitogenic activity on TPA- and staurosporine-sensitive PKC isoforms, in Xenopus oocytes, induction of GVBD by ras-p21 was independent of PKC, while PLC-induced GVBD was sensitive to PKC inhibition. Thus, our results demonstrate the activation of PLD and PLA2 by ras-p21 proteins, while no effect on PLC was observed.

Growth hormone-releasing factor increases somatostatin release and mRNA levels in the rat periventricular nucleus via nitric oxide by activation of guanylate cyclase

Previous work has shown that growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) stimulates cGMP production and somatostatin [somatotropin (growth hormone)-release-inhibiting factor, SRIF] release without altering cAMP accumulation by fragments of median eminence incubated in vitro. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of GRF and cGMP on SRIF mRNA and SRIF release in the periventricular nuclei of male rats in vitro. SRIF mRNA levels were determined in explants of periventricular nuclei incubated for 6 hr in Waymouth's medium in the presence of various substances. Steady-state levels of SRIF mRNA were measured by an S1 nuclease protection assay using a 32P-labeled rat SRIF RNA probe. SRIF release and cGMP formation were measured at 30 min and 6 hr by RIA. SRIF mRNA levels and SRIF release were significantly (P < 0.025) increased (approximately 2-fold) by 1 microM dibutyryl cGMP, whereas sodium butyrate had no effect. This augmentation was not influenced by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Sodium nitroprusside (10 microM), an activator of the guanylate cyclase pathway via its release of nitric oxide, augmented (P < 0.001) SRIF mRNA levels and significantly increased (P < 0.05) SRIF release. GRF (1 nM) increased SRIF mRNA (P < 0.001) and stimulated the release of SRIF at 30 min (P < 0.05) and 6 hr (P < 0.01). This stimulation was abolished by 10 microM NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, but not by NG-monomethyl-D-arginine (D-NMMA, the inactive isomer). GRF also increased cGMP formation. This effect was completely blocked by incubation with L-NMMA but not D-NMMA. These results indicate that GRF releases nitric oxide. The nitric oxide diffuses to the adjacent SRIF neurons, where it activates guanylate cyclase, leading to increased formation of cGMP. This cGMP increases SRIF mRNA and SRIF release in the periventricular nuclei of male rats.