Generation and synchronization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses: intrinsic properties of the GT1-1 GnRH neuronal cell line.

The immortalized neuronal cell line GT1-1 was used to investigate the endogenous pattern of GnRH release. The GT1-1 cell line was derived from a GnRH-secreting tumor in a transgenic mouse induced by genetically targeted expression of the potent simian virus 40 oncogene encoding tumor antigen. Cells attached to coverslips were superfused in Sykes-Moore chambers with Locke's medium, Ca(2+)-free Locke's medium, or Opti-MEM (another defined medium) for 2 hr, and samples were collected at 4-min intervals. Release of GnRH in 17 of 18 superfusion chambers was seen to be pulsatile when data were analyzed by cluster analysis. No significant differences were observed whether only one or both of the coverslips forming the chamber were coated with cells. Pulses exhibited a mean interpulse interval of 25.8 +/- 1.5 min, a mean duration of 18.8 +/- 1.4 min, and a mean amplitude of 150.5 +/- 6.0% above preceding nadir. The removal of Ca2+ from the Locke's medium resulted in the progressive reduction of the amplitude and eventually in the absence of identifiable pulses. Pulses reappeared after the return of Ca2+ to the medium. It is concluded that the GT1-1 cell line secretes GnRH in a rhythmic pattern. These findings suggest that the pulsatile release of GnRH (GnRH pulse generator) may be an intrinsic characteristic of the GnRH neurons. Synchronization of pulsatile release from individual neurons could be mediated via numerous cell-to-cell contacts observed in the cultured cells on coverslips. Synchronization of GnRH release from cells on two physically separated coverslips forming a chamber would appear to be accomplished by a diffusible mediator.