Influence of interference with the cyclic AMP-adenylcyclase-phosphodiesterase system on TSH-induced hormonal imprinting in the Tetrahymena.

Primary interaction of TSH with the unicellular Tetrahymena accounted for an increase in TSH binding capacity on reexposure, i.e. for a regular hormonal imprinting. TSH in itself did not give rise to a faulty imprinting (for insulin). Combination of TSH with dibutyryl cAMP reduced the intensity of imprinting, whereas theophylline or lithium ions not only reduced the efficacy of normal imprinting, but also gave rise to faulty imprinting (for insulin instead of TSH).