Phorbol esters enhance basal and stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a pituitary cell line.

We reported in anterior pituitary cells that hormone stimulation of cyclic AMP levels is amplified by agents that activate protein kinase C (e.g., phorbol esters). We utilized the 235-1 pituitary cell line to explore the mechanism of this response. PGE1- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and adenylate cyclase activity are enhanced by exposing viable cells to phorbol esters. Adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of PGE1 demonstrated a biphasic stimulatory, then inhibitory response to increasing GTP concentrations; phorbol esters attenuated this inhibition. These data support the hypothesis that protein kinase C can covalently change the functional state of the adenylate cyclase holoenzyme, amplifying its response to certain hormones.