The distribution of chromogranin/secretogranin (Cg/Sg) mRNAs, determined by Northern and in situ hybridization, was analyzed in 14 cultured pituitary adenomas characterized by immunohistochemistry and hormone secretion in a defined medium in vitro. There were 5 functional GH adenomas, 1 silent GH adenoma, 7 null cell adenomas, and 1 oncocytoma. The null cell adenomas, oncocytoma, and silent GH adenomas were also analyzed by electron microscopy. Most null cell adenomas and the oncocytoma secreted FSH and LH into the culture medium. GH adenomas, which are examples of well differentiated tumors based on morphological examination, expressed significantly more SgIII mRNA compared to the null cell adenomas and oncocytoma (70 +/- 6% vs. 22 +/- 5%; P < 0.001). GH adenomas also expressed significantly less CgA mRNA compared to the less well differentiated null cell adenomas and oncocytoma (27 +/- 6% vs. 67 +/- 4%; P < 0.001), which could be considered less well differentiated based on ultrastructural morphological features. After treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10(-7) M) for 7 days, there was an increase in the mRNA for CgB and SgII mRNAs in GH and null cell tumors, while dexamethasone treatment for 7 days increased CgA mRNA in GH and null cell adenomas. GnRH treatment for 7 days increased CgB mRNA in null cell adenomas. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also decreased the percentage of immunoreactive GH cells and GHm RNA, determined by in situ and Northern hybridization analyses. These results indicate that pituitary adenomas have a distinct pattern of Cg/Sg mRNA expression, which appears to be related to the degree of morphological differentiation of these neoplasms, and suggest that the effects of secretagogues on various Cg/Sg mRNA levels may be related to the stimulation of hormone secretion.