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Department of Neurobiology, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK.

1. Lactotrophs are adenohypophysial cells that synthesize and secrete prolactin (PRL), a hormone principally involved in mammalian milk production. An increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is an important signal for PRL secretion. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) generates Ca2+ signals derived from both the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and the entry of extracellular Ca2+, the latter being particularly important for PRL secretion. The identity of this TRH-sensitive Ca2+ entry pathway is unknown and therefore the subject of the present study. 2. [Ca2+]i was measured by video imaging of fura-2 loaded into single rat anterior pituitary cells. Ca2+ influx was detected by quenching of fura-2 fluorescence by external Mn2+. All data are from lactotrophs isolated from lactating female rats. Individual lactotrophs were identified by postexperimental immunofluorescent detection of PRL in fixed cells. 3. TRH induced the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and also stimulated Mn(2+)-permeable Ca2+ influx. U73122 (1 microM), a phospholipase C inhibitor, prevented the Ca(2+)-mobilizing actions of TRH. The chemically similar but inactive analogue, U73343 (1 microM), had no effect on TRH responses. U73122 did not act as a global G protein inhibitor because the reduction of basal [Ca2+]i by dopamine (1 microM, a G protein-mediated event) was not affected. 4. TRH-stimulated Mn2+ influx occurred either immediately after addition of TRH (early entry) or after a delay of about 130 s (late entry). There were no statistically significant differences in the magnitude or temporal characteristics of the Ca2+ signals evoked from cells showing early or late Mn2+ entry. 5. The identity of Ca2+ channels permeable to Mn2+ was investigated. Cell depolarization with 50 mM KCl stimulated Ca2+/Mn2+ influx and was prevented by nifedipine (1 microM). Bay K 8644 (1 microM) also stimulated Mn2+ influx. Thus, the presence of Mn(2+)-permeable L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channels is likely. A second Mn(2+)-permeable pathway was present in lactotrophs. Depletion of Ca2+ stores by thapsigargin (1 microM) stimulated a Ca2+ signal and Mn2+ influx. This 'capacitative entry pathway' was insensitive to nifedipine (1 microM), indicating that putative L-type Ca2+ channels were not activated. 6. TRH-stimulated Mn2+ influx was not prevented by nifedipine (1 microM). TRH added during KCl-induced Mn2+ influx reduced the quench rate within the time frame of the TRH-induced Ca2+ spike. TRH may therefore inhibit putative L-type Ca2+ channels. 7. Addition of thapsigargin in Ca(2+)-free medium transiently increased [Ca2+]i and prevented subsequent Ca2+ responses to TRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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