LHRH-receptor-regulated Ca2+-ATPase activity in murine pituitary gland

Addition of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in vitro (10(-5) -5 X 10(-9) M) to murine pituitary membranes resulted in a dose-related decrease in Ca2+-ATPase activity within 15 min. Inhibitory effects of LHRH (10(-7) M) occurred after 90 sec, and appeared maximal by 120 sec. Eadie-Hofstee analysis at 10(-7) M LHRH, at varying [Ca2+]free, resulted in a Km = 0.89 +/- 0.06 microM and a Vmax = 18.8 +/- 0.71 nmol/mg per 2 min, compared to a Km = 0.69 +/- 0.06 microM and a Vmax = 32.8 +/- 1.21 nmol/mg per 2 min for controls. Pre-incubation for 5 min with LHRH antagonist (10(-8) M) significantly attenuated (50%) the inhibitory effects of 10(-7) M LHRH on pituitary Ca2+ ATPase activity with a Km = 0.97 +/- 0.24 microM and a Vmax = 28.1 +/- 2.8 nmol/mg per 2 min. The addition of LHRH (10(-7) M) to pituitary homogenates significantly increased luteinizing hormone (LH) release already at 10 and up to 40 sec compared to basal LH release. Systemic administration of 50 ng LHRH (i.p.), significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced pituitary Ca2+-ATPase after 30, 60 and 90 min, with a return to control levels by 120 min. Pituitary LH content was reduced slightly at 15 min, but was increased significantly at 90 and 120 min post-treatment. Plasma LH levels were elevated by 5 min, reached a peak by 15 min and returned to control within 60 min. The present findings indicate that LHRH receptor activation may influence cytosolic Ca2+ transport through effects on membrane Ca2+-ATPase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)