Endocrine Abstracts

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) using genetically encoded biosensors has proven to be a powerful technique to monitor the spatiotemporal dynamics of cAMP signals stimulated by Gs-coupled receptors in living cells. In contrast, real-time imaging of Gi-mediated cAMP signals under native conditions remains challenging. Here, we describe the use of transgenic mice ubiquitously expressing the highly sensitive cAMP sensor Epac1-camps for cAMP imaging in living pituitary slices and primary pituitary cells. This technique can be widely used to assess the contribution of various pituitary receptors, including individual Gi protein-coupled somatostatin receptors, to the regulation of cAMP levels under physiologically relevant settings.

Declaration of interest: The author declares that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.