Stimulation of prolactin release by dopamine withdrawal: role of calcium influx

Withdrawal of dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits prolactin (PRL) release from the anterior pituitary, stimulates PRL release with transient (30- to 45-min) secretory rates that exceed those observed before application of DA ("PRL rebound"). Using patch-clamp methods on identified rat lactotropes, we have demonstrated that a period of increased Ca(2+)-spiking activity follows recovery from the DA-induced hyperpolarization. The present experiments used dissociated pituitary cells to identify the relative roles of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), inositol phosphates, and the enhanced influx of Ca2+ in the rebound secretion of PRL. Rebound secretion of PRL after DA withdrawal was completely blocked by the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (20 microM), which also inhibited spontaneous Ca(2+)-spiking activity. DA-induced changes in cAMP levels could be completely dissociated from the PRL rebound. Production of inositol phosphates rose after DA withdrawal but was secondary to the influx of Ca2+. These data demonstrate that influx of extracellular Ca2+ through verapamil-sensitive channels is a critical step in inducing PRL release after DA withdrawal. This finding supports our theory that DA-induced hyperpolarization recruits previously inactivated Ca2+ channels and upon DA washout the enhanced influx of Ca2+ through these voltage-regulated channels supports the rebound release of PRL.