Calmodulin involvement on the Ca++-dependent release of LHRH and SRIF in vitro

Mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) slices of male adult rats were superfused at 37 degrees C with oxygenated Hepes-buffer Locke medium. Bacitracin (2 X 10(-5) M) was added to prevent enzymatic degradation of LHRH and SRIF. 6 min pulse of K+ (56 mM), veratridine (15 microM) or the ionophore A 23187 (10(-5) M), markedly stimulated the release of both neuropeptides. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin inhibitor, decreased the K+-evoked LHRH and SRIF release in a dose-dependent manner; it was also effective in inhibiting the veratridine-induced neuropeptides release. Phenytoin, a calmodulin-dependent kinase inhibitor, also decreased in a dose-dependent manner the K+-induced LHRH and SRIF release; the basal release of both neuropeptides remained unaffected by either treatment. The ionophore-stimulated release of both neuropeptides was significantly inhibited as well. These data demonstrate that a Ca++-calmodulin kinase system may be involved in the mechanism of depolarization-induced LHRH and SRIF release from hypothalamic nerve terminals.