Biochemical transmethylation of lipids and neuropeptidergic stimulation of pituitary hormone secretion

S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent methylation of membrane phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine has been shown to exist in a number of tissues including pituitary gland and to play important roles in receptor-mediated functions. The possible role of this phospholipid methylation reaction in pituitary hormone secretion has been studied. To this end, the ability of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to release thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin and the ability of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) to release luteinizing hormone (LH) were evaluated after inhibition of pituitary phospholipid methylation. Both TRH and LH-RH stimulated the release of their corresponding pituitary hormone in a dose-dependent manner and this stimulatory effect was inhibited in the presence of phospholipid methylation inhibitors. Non-specific stimulation of TSH release by 55 mM KCl or 0.1 mM veratridine, however, was not affected by the methylation inhibitors. The data suggest that phospholipid methylation may participate in receptor-mediated release of pituitary hormones.