[The effects of cholera toxin in the release of beta-endorphin from the dispersed cells of the rat neurointermediate lobe].

The intermediate lobe cells of pituitary gland synthesize and secrete bioactive peptides derived from proopiomelanocortin. In the present study, we investigated the effects of cholera toxin on the release of beta-endorphin (beta-Ep) from dispersed-intermediate lobe cells of rats. Cholera toxin added into culture medium, enhanced the intracellular accumulation of adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and the release of beta-endorphin like immunoreactive substance (beta-END-LIS). A positive dose-response relationship existed between the concentration of cholera toxin and the release of beta-END-LIS or the accumulation of cAMP. Maximal response was obtained with approximately 3 X 10(-10) M (in beta-END-LIS release) and 1 X 10(-9) M (in cAMP accumulation) concentration of cholera toxin. Incubation with cholera toxin (3 X 10(-8) M) resulted in a significant rise of cAMP accumulation after 20-30 min, and a 2-2.5 fold increase of beta-END-LIS release occurred after 60 min in comparison with nontreated cells. cAMP analog and phosphodiesterase inhibitor also increased the beta-END-LIS release). These results suggested the close relationship between cAMP accumulation and its biological effect (i.e. beta-END-LIS release).