Characterization of D1 receptors mediating dopamine-stimulated growth hormone release from pituitary cells of the goldfish, Carassius auratus.

Previously, we demonstrated that dopamine (DA) stimulates GH release from the pituitary of goldfish, and this action is mediated by D1-like receptors. In the current study, we have provided evidence for the presence of D1-specific binding sites in the pituitary cells of goldfish. These D1-binding sites were found to be saturable, stereospecific, and selective for D1 ligands. The rank order of binding affinity of these D1-binding sites is (+)SCH23390 > SKF83566 >> (-)SCH23390 > domperidone > LY171555 >> serotonin. The association of these D1-binding sites with [3H]SCH23390, a D1-specific radioligand, was rapid, reversible, and exhibited a high binding affinity in the nanomolar range. The Kd values were estimated to be 33.7 +/- 8.5 nM for mixed populations of pituitary cells and 10.9 +/- 2.5 nM for pituitary cell preparations enriched with somatotrophs. Autoradiographic studies revealed that specific binding of [3H]SCH23390 was predominantly localized in the pars distalis, not in the neurointermediate lobe of the goldfish pituitary. Furthermore, these D1-binding sites in the goldfish pituitary cells could be functionally correlated with the GH-releasing actions of DA. Since these D1-binding sites exhibited the expected pharmacological properties of mammalian D1 receptors, we conclude that DA D1 receptors are present in the goldfish pituitary and are responsible for the mediation of DA D1-stimulated GH release. The apparent similarities of the D1 receptor pharmacology between goldfish and mammals also suggests that DA D1 receptors are highly conserved during vertebrate evolution.