Rundown of GH3 cell K+ conductance response to TRH following patch recording can be obviated with GH3 cell extract

GH3/B6 pituitary cells release prolactin (PRL) in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Electrophysiological assays of individual GH3 cells with sharp high-resistance microelectrodes have revealed complex effects of TRH on membrane excitability consisting of a transient hyperpolarization (1), which is thought to result from activation of Ca-dependent K+ conductance (2), followed by a prolonged phase of spontaneous, Ca-dependent action potential activity (3). Using the whole-cell patch recording (WCR) technique (4), we have found that these TRH actions on GH3 excitability rapidly rundown following patch recording. When the supernatant from osmotically lysed GH3 cells was added to the WCR patch pipette, the K+ conductance response was not only promoted but well-maintained. The results indicate that diffusible factors mediate these TRH actions and further, that the WCR technique should be useful in identifying different second messengers and elucidating their roles in membrane excitability and PRL secretion.