Mel1b and Mel1c melatonin receptors mediate green light-induced secretion of growth hormone in chick adenohypophysis cells via the AC/PKA and ERK1/2 signalling pathways

Abstract A previous study showed that melatonin (MEL) membrane receptors 1b (Mel1b) and Mel1c promoted the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in chick adenohypophysis cells under monochromatic green light. However, the intracellular signalling pathways of these two receptors are unclear. Therefore, cultured adenohypophysis cells derived from chickens exposed to monochromatic green light were treated with MEL, Mel1b- and Mel1c-specific blockers, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors and adenylate cyclase (AC), or AC activator in vitro to explore the signal transduction mechanism that promote the secretion of GH. The results showed that Mel1b and Mel1c participate in MEL-mediated green light-induced secretion of GH in chick adenohypophysis cells. However, MEL increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, and p-PKA protein levels were blocked by a Mel1b-specific antagonist but not a Mel1c-specific antagonist, which indicated that Mel1b affected the secretion of GH via the AC/cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. Moreover, Mel1b and Mel1c both activated ERK1/2 to regulate the secretion of GH. In addition, intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ channels were also involved in secretion of GH in chick adenohypophysis cells. These results demonstrate that the MEL mediated green light-induced secretion of GH in chick adenohypophysis via the Mel1b/AC/PKA/ERK1/2, Mel1c/ERK1/2, and intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ channel signalling pathways.