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Title: Prokaryotic adenylate cyclase toxin stimulates anterior pituitary cells in culture

Journal Article · · Am. J. Physiol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6283311

Bordetella pertussis synthesis a variety of virulence factors including a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin. Treatment of anterior pituitary cells with this AC toxin resulted in an increase in cellular cAMP levels that was associated with accelerated exocytosis of growth hormone (GH), prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). The kinetics of release of these hormones, however, were markedly different; GH and prolactin were rapidly released, while LH and ACTH secretion was more gradually elevated. Neither dopamine agonists nor somatostatin changes the ability of AC toxin to generate cAMP (up to 2 h). Low concentrations of AC toxin amplified the secretory response to hypophysiotrophic hormones. The authors conclude that bacterial AC toxin can rapidly elevate cAMP levels in anterior pituitary cells and that it is the response that explains the subsequent acceleration of hormone release.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
OSTI ID:
6283311
Journal Information:
Am. J. Physiol.; (United States), Vol. 251:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English