On the purinergic regulation of hormonal secretion from the anterior pituitary gland

Purinergic regulation of hormonal secretion from the anterior pituitary may be characterized by effects with biphasic secretory response. This response may be started by activation of different subtypes of membrane prurinergic receptors (A1 and/or A2). A putative autocrine mechanism has been proposed to explain the action of adenosine on pituitary hormonal secretion. This mechanism may be dependent on adenosine degradation by the enzyme adenosine deaminase into the extracellular space. The regulation of AMPc and calcium levels in cytoplasm may be part of putative intracellular mechanisms involved in purinergic action. Additionally, hypophysiotrophic effects induced by hypothalamic substances may be modulated by adenosine. The mechanisms involved in this modulatory effects, however, remain elusive.