Abstract

The alpha T3-1 cell line, an immortalized gonadotroph cell line, expresses high levels of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor. Sustained exposure of these cells to the GnRH receptor agonist des-Gly10-[D-Ala6]luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ethylamide resulted in a substantial down-regulation of cellular levels of a combination of the alpha subunits of the phospholipase C-beta 1-linked G proteins Gq and G11, as assessed by immunoblotting with an antiserum able to identify these two proteins equally. This effect was dependent upon the concentration of agonist used (EC50 = 4 nM) and on the time of the treatment (t1/2 = 6 hr) when a maximally effective concentration of agonist (1 microM) was used. Comparison of agonist regulation of inositol phosphate generation and Gq alpha/G11 alpha down-regulation demonstrated that effects on inositol phosphate production were approximately 3-fold more potent. In contrast to Gq alpha/G11 alpha, membrane-associated levels of Gs alpha and G12 alpha, the G proteins that transduce stimulatory and inhibitory regulation, respectively, of adenylyl cyclase, were not altered by agonist treatment. Analysis of mRNA by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction indicated the coexpression by alpha T3-1 cells of mRNA corresponding to both Gq alpha and G11 alpha. Immunoblotting with antisera selective for either Gq alpha or G11 alpha confirmed their coexpression. Resolution of membranes from untreated and agonist-treated alpha T3-1 cells under sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis conditions able to separate Gq alpha from G11 alpha indicated that G11 alpha was more prevalent than Gq alpha at steady state but that agonist treatment regulated cellular levels of both of these G proteins in a nonselective manner. Sustained activation of protein kinase C with phorbol myristate acetate was unable to mimic agonist regulation of cellular Gq alpha/G11 alpha levels, as was treatment of alpha T3-1 cells with the selective protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine. These data suggest that the GnRH receptor is able to interact functionally with both Gq alpha and G11 alpha in alpha T3-1 cells and that sustained exposure to a GnRH receptor agonist selectively regulates the cellular levels of the G proteins that interact with the receptor.