Release of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from dispersed cells of the intermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland: involvement of catecholamines and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Treatment of the neurointermediate lobe of the rat pituitary gland with mechanical agitation in the presence of trypsin and DNAse results in a preparation of cells which secrete alpha MSH and synthesize cAMP. The receptors for catecholamines present in the intact intermediate lobe remain functional on the dispersed cells. Thus, stimulation of a beta-adrenoceptor with (l)isoproterenol enhances the secretion of alpha MSH. This receptor is stereospecific and responds to low concentrations of isoproterenol (EC50 = 0.4 nM). Activation of a beta-adrenoceptor also increases the accumulation of cAMP. Furthermore, dopamine inhibits the basal release of alpha MSH but has no effect on basal levels of cAMP. In addition, dopamine inhibits the isoproterenol-enhanced release of alpha MSH as well as the isoproterenol-induced accumulation of cAMP.