Corticotrophin-releasing factor--mediated adrenocorticotrophin release from rat anterior pituitary cells is potentiated by C-terminal gastrin-releasing peptide

• Published in: Journal of endocrinology Vol. 102; no. 2; p. R1
• Main Authors: Hale, A C, Price, J, Ackland, J F, Doniach, I, Ratter, S, Besser, G M, Rees, L H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-08-1984
• Subjects: ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic - metabolism; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Adult; Animals; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - pharmacology; Drug Synergism; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Peptide Fragments - pharmacology; Peptides - pharmacology; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - drug effects; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - metabolism; Rats; Thyroid Neoplasms - metabolism; Tissue Extracts - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0022-0795
• DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.102R001

The remission of Cushing's syndrome following surgical removal of a tumour containing bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BLI), but insignificant levels of ACTH, is described. However, an acid extract of the tumour tissue caused the release of ACTH from isolated rat anterior pituitary cells in vitro. These observations led to an investigation of the effects of synthetic C-terminal gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP(14-27] on ACTH release from isolated rat anterior pituitary cells. GRP(14-27) (10-1000 ng/ml) directly stimulated the release of ACTH in vitro, whereas lower doses (10-1000 pg/ml), ineffective themselves in eliciting ACTH release, potentiated the CRF-mediated in-vitro release of ACTH.