Granulosa cell fusion allows heterologous receptor stimulation of adenylate cyclase and progesterone accumulation

The hallmark of the preovulatory follicles in the rat ovary appears to be the presence of receptors for both LH and FSH on follicular granulosa cells. We have tested the possibility that both gonadotropin receptors could share a common adenylate cyclase system utilising cell fusion techniques. Adenylate cyclase (and concomitant stimulation of progesterone synthesis) was inactivated in granulosa cells possessing both FSH and LH receptors by incubation of the cells with N-ethylmaleimide. This treatment did not affect hormone binding to the cells. Subsequent fusion, using polyethylene glycol, of the cyclase-inactivated cells with granulosa cells possessing FSH receptors only and an active cyclase restored LH stimulation of cAMP and progesterone production. These findings support the hypothesis that the LH and FSH receptors on granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles share a common adenylate cyclase system.