Postreceptor modulation of action of VIP and secretin on pancreatic enzyme secretion by secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium

In dispersed acini from rat pancreas, secretagogues that act through or mimic the action of AMP [vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin, or 8-bromo-AMP] caused a twofold increase in amylase secretion. Secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium (carbamylcholine, C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, bombesin, or A23187) caused a sevenfold augmentation of the actions of VIP, secretin, or 8-bromo-cAMP on enzyme secretion. Carbamylcholine and the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin also augmented the action of VIP on amylase secretion from mouse pancreatic acini. Secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium did not alter binding of 125I-VIP, cellular cAMP, or the increase in cellular cAMP caused by VIP or secretin. Similarly, secretagogues that increase cellular cAMP did not alter 45Ca outflux or the increase in 45Ca outflux caused by carbamylcholine, C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, bombesin, or A23187. These results indicate that in dispersed acini from rat pancreas there is postreceptor modulation of the actions of VIP and secretin on enzyme secretion by secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium and that this modulation is a major determinant of the magnitude of the effect of VIP and secretin on enzyme secretion. This modulation, in turn, reflects the ability of cellular calcium, mobilized from intracellular stores, to amplify the action of cellular cAMP on the enzyme secretory process.