Tyrosine kinase effects on adrenoceptor-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in preoptic area and hypothalamus of female rats: modulation by estradiol

These studies examined the functional interactions between adrenergic G-protein coupled receptors and protein tyrosine kinases in the preoptic area and hypothalamus, brain regions that regulate reproductive function in female rats, and evaluated whether in vivo treatment with estradiol for 2 days modulates the cross-talk between these two signaling pathways. In hypothalamic slices genistein, a general tyrosine kinase inhibitor, enhances norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP synthesis independent of estradiol treatment. Genistein appears to act by increasing beta-adrenoceptor signaling. At high norepinephrine concentrations, estradiol potentiates genistein enhancement of the cAMP response in hypothalamic slices. This interaction between estradiol and genistein appears to involve modification of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor signaling mechanisms. In preoptic area slices, genistein enhancement of norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP synthesis is only observed in estradiol-treated rats. In this brain region, genistein enhances cAMP accumulation by modifying alpha(1)- and/or alpha(2)-adrenoceptor rather than beta-adrenoceptor signaling. Genistein amplification of norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP synthesis is not mediated by interactions with estrogen receptors, or by regulation of adenylyl cyclase or phosphodiesterase activities. At the concentration used, genistein inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation in slices from both brain regions. Daidzein, an inactive analogue of genistein, fails to enhance the norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP response in either brain region independent of hormone treatment. These results suggest that protein tyrosine kinases regulate adrenergic responses in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. Moreover, the functional interaction between adrenergic G-protein coupled receptor signaling and protein tyrosine kinases is modified in a brain region and receptor subtype specific manner by estradiol.