Ca2+ channels in anterior pituitary somatotrophs: A therapeutic perspective.

Ca2+ channels in anterior pituitary somatotrophs: A therapeutic perspective. Endocrinology. 2018 Nov 02;: Authors: Nussinovitch I Abstract Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) plays a key role in the secretion of growth hormone (GH). In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the physiology and molecular machinery of VGCCs in pituitary somatotrophs. We next discuss the possible involvement of Ca2+ channelopathies in pituitary disease and the potential usage of Ca2+ channel blockers in the treatment of pituitary disease. Various types of VGCCs exist in pituitary cells. However, since L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) contribute the major component to Ca2+ influx in somatotrophs, lactotrophs and corticotrophs, we focused on these channels.An increasing number of studies in recent years have linked genetic missense mutations in LTCCs to diseases of the human cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems. These disease-associated genetic mutations occur at homologous functional positions (activation gates) in LTCCs. Thus, it is plausible that similar homologous missense mutations in pituitary LTCCs can cause abnormal hormone secretion and underlying pituitary disorders.The existence of LTCCs in pituitary cells opens questions regarding their sensitivity to dihydropyridines, a group of selective LTCC blockers. The dihydropyridine sensitivity of pituitary cells, as with any other excitable cell, dep...
Source: Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tags: Endocrinology Source Type: research