D-2 dopaminergic agonists and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate directly regulate the synthesis of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like peptides by cultured rat melanotrophs.

When placed in short term (2-day) tissue culture, the melanotrophs from the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland synthesize a proopiomelanocortin-like material (POMC-LM). Exposure of these cells to bromocriptine (CB 154), an agonist upon their D-2 dopamine receptor, reduces the synthesis of POMC-LM; spiroperidol, an antagonist of the D-2 receptor, prevents this effect of CB 154. Cultured melanotrophs secrete an alpha MSH-like material. The amount of this alpha MSH-like material, either stored intracellularly or secreted into the culture medium, can be quantified in a specific RIA; the material identified in this manner is designated immunoreactive alpha MSH (IR-alpha MSH). CB 154 inhibits the secretion of IR-alpha MSH from these cells. Either spiroperidol or 8-bromo-cAMP prevent this inhibitory effect of CB 154. The capacity of these cells to synthesize alpha MSH-like molecules and release them into the culture medium can be assessed by incubation in the presence of [3H]tyrosine, followed by immunoprecipitation with an antibody directed against alpha MSH. This newly synthesized immunoprecipitable material is designated immunoprecipitable alpha MSH (IP-alpha MSH) and should be distinguished from IR-alpha MSH. Both CB 154 and quinpirole, a selective D-2 agonist (but not SKF 38393, a selective D-1 agonist), inhibit the synthesis and secretion of IP-alpha MSH. YM-09151-2, a selective D-2 antagonist (but not SCH 23390, a selective D-1 antagonist), blocks the inhibitory effects of quinpirole. Several compounds affecting cAMP metabolism (cholera toxin, forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) can also prevent the inhibitory effect of CB 154 on the synthesis of IP-alpha MSH. We conclude the following. The D-2 receptor in the intermediate lobe directly regulates the synthesis and secretion of IP-alpha MSH. cAMP can regulate either the synthesis of POMC-LM or the processing of this substance into alpha MSH-like peptides.