Forskolin as an activator of cyclic AMP accumulation and secretion in blowfly salivary glands

Abstract

Forskolin is a diterpene that activates adenylate cyclase in a variety of mammalian cells. In addition of forskolin to blowfly salivary glands increased cyclic AMP accumulation and salivary secretion. There was a small increase in transepithelial movement of labelled Ca2+. Forskolin did not induce breakdown of labelled phosphatidylinositol or inhibit the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol breakdown caused by 5-hydroxytryptamine. These data indicate that forskolin can mimic all the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on salivary-gland secretion that have been attributed to cyclic AMP.