Posterior Pituitary and the HPL Axis Flashcards
What is the size of oxytocin and vasopressin, and what are they synthesized as?
They are nonapeptides and are transcribed as a preprohormone
What does the preprohormone of OXY and AVP consist of?
signal peptide, hormone (AVP/OXY), neurophysin, and a glycopeptide
What does the prohormone of OXY and AVP consist of?
OXY + Neurophysin I
AVP + Neurophysin II
What is AVP and what is it also known as?
Arginine vasopressin, also known as ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
When is neurophysin removed from the hormone?
during axonal transport in the secretory granules
Where are the cell bodies that produce AVP located?
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON)
What are the two types of cells located in the PVN?
Magnocellular and parvocellular
Which PVN cell type has neurons that project to the posterior pituitary?
Only magnocellular
some parvocellular PVN neurons also contain AVP. Where do they project and what do they do?
Parvocellular PVN neurons that contain AVP project to the median eminence and are important in regulating mood(anxiety)/stress
What does AVP in magnocellular SON and PVN do?
regulates fluid balance
What triggers AVP release?
Increase in blood osmolality and a decrease in blood volume
slight changes in what will trigger AVP release?
osmolality
Will thirst occur before or after AVP release?
changes in osmolality will stimulate AVP release well before the thirst mechanism sets in
How does an increase in plasma osmolality lead to AVP release?
decreased osmolality will draw water out of the cells of the osmoreceptors into the vasculature. This shrinking of the osmoreceptors will result in less inhibition of magnocellular neurons resulting in AVP release
What does AVP do?
Acts on kidney to promote water reabsorption in the distal tubules
How does a decrease in MAP lead to AVP release?
a decrease in MAP (i.e. hemorrhage) ill result in decreased baroreceptor firing and an increase in sympathetic tone. This will activate magnocellular neurons resulting in AVP release
What is more sensitive - baroreceptors or osmoreceptors?
Osmoreceptors. Slight changes in osmolality will lead to AVP release. You have to have a 5-10% volume loss in order to activate baroreceptor mediated AVP release
How does AVP result in vasoconstrictive effects?
AVP binds V1 receptors (G-protein coupled and PLC cascade) on vascular smooth muscle resulting in constriction and increasing vascular resistance
What is the principle function of AVP?
To increase water reabsorption and conserve water
How does AVP act on the distal tubules?
It binds V2 receptors in the principle cells of the distal tubules
What happens on binding of AVP to principle cells?
Activates PKA to phosphorylate Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) which is inserted into the membrane and allows water to be reabsorbed
What is diabetes insipidus?
AVP defect
What are the two main causes of diabetes insipidus?
Decreased AVP release (most common)
Decreased renal responsiveness to AVP (AVP levels are normal in these cases)
What can cause decreased AVP release?
hypothalamic or pituitary defect due to trauma, cancer, infection, etc.
What can cause decreased renal responsiveness to AVP?
Genetic: X-linked mutation in AVP2 receptor (90% males)
Acquired: lithium treatment, hypokalemia
What is the clinical presentation of SIADH?
hyponatremia in the absence of edema