These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: Desensitization of pituitary gonadotropin secretion by agonist-induced inactivation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels.
    Author: Stojilković SS, Rojas E, Stutzin A, Izumi S, Catt KJ.
    Journal: J Biol Chem; 1989 Jul 05; 264(19):10939-42. PubMed ID: 2472385.
    Abstract:
    Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates calcium mobilization and influx in pituitary gonadotrophs, and agonist-induced calcium entry through voltage-sensitive channels (VSCC) is required for the maintenance of gonadotropin secretion. However, prolonged or frequent exposure to GnRH attenuates the extracellular Ca2+-dependent cytosolic Ca2+ signal and diminishes hormone secretion. Measurements of membrane Ca2+ currents revealed significant impairment of VSCC activity in gonadotrophs during desensitization by GnRH. VSSC were also inactivated in a calcium-dependent manner during exposure to high K+. Prolonged inactivation of such Ca2+ channels by high K+ reduced the calcium and secretory responses to GnRH and vice versa. The calcium-dependent inactivation of VSCC during GnRH action appears to be a primary factor in the onset of desensitization in pituitary gonadotrophs. This mechanism could also account for the development of agonist-induced refractoriness in other calcium-regulated target cells.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]