Differential and coordinate regulation of TH and PNMT mRNAs in chromaffin cell cultures by second messenger system activation and steroid treatment.

Primary cultures of chromaffin cells were prepared from bovine adrenal medullae and the levels of mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) determined. The cells expressed moderate levels of TH mRNA and low levels of PNMT mRNA. The latter appeared to be more sensitive than TH mRNA to variations in the culture medium. The treatment of cultures with agents that activate signal transduction pathways, forskolin or phorbol esters, dramatically enhanced the expression of both mRNAs. The forskolin-induced increases in the steady-state levels of TH and PNMT mRNAs occurred rapidly and were apparent within 5 hours. These data suggest that the TH and PNMT genes can be regulated by second messengers. In contrast, dexamethasone treatment dramatically increased PNMT mRNA with no change in TH mRNA. The increase in PNMT mRNA was apparent within 6 hours of addition of the drug to the culture medium.