WE have studied a possible role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in regulating
adrenal medullary function. Caerulein (10(-10)-10(-7) M), a CCK recep
tor agonist, increased formation of inositol phosphates in primary cul
tured bovine adrenal medullary (BAM) chromaffin cells in a concentrati
on-dependent manner. The effect of caerulein was antagonized by devaze
pide, a selective CCKA-receptor antagonist, but not by L-365.260, a se
lective CCKB-receptor antagonist. These results suggest that BAM cells
possess functional CCK receptors of the CCKA-subtype. Stimulation of
these receptors with caerulein activates a signal transduction pathway
via phospholipase C. CCK may regulate catecholamine release in BAM ce
lls.