scholarly journals Targeted Ablation of the Chromogranin A (Chga) Gene: Normal Neuroendocrine Dense-Core Secretory Granules and Increased Expression of Other Granins

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1935-1947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey N. Hendy ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Martine Girard ◽  
Richard C. Feldstein ◽  
Shree Mulay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Chromogranin A ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Dense Core ◽  
Secretory Process ◽  
Chromogranin B ◽  
Developmental Abnormalities

Abstract Chromogranin A (CgA), originally identified in adrenal chromaffin cells, is a member of the granin family of acidic secretory glycoproteins that are expressed in endocrine cells and neurons. CgA has been proposed to play multiple roles in the secretory process. Intracellularly, CgA may control secretory granule biogenesis and target neurotransmitters and peptide hormones to granules of the regulated pathway. Extracellularly, peptides formed as a result of proteolytic processing of CgA may regulate hormone secretion. To investigate the role of CgA in the whole animal, we created a mouse mutant null for the Chga gene. These mice are viable and fertile and have no obvious developmental abnormalities, and their neural and endocrine functions are not grossly impaired. Their adrenal glands were structurally unremarkable, and morphometric analyses of chromaffin cells showed vesicle size and number to be normal. However, the excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine was significantly elevated in the Chga null mutants. Adrenal medullary mRNA and protein levels of other dense-core secretory granule proteins including chromogranin B, and secretogranins II to VI were up-regulated 2- to 3-fold in the Chga null mutant mice. Hence, the increased expression of the other granin family members is likely to compensate for the Chga deficiency.

scholarly journals Immunohistochemical Localization of Chromogranin A in Endocrine Tissues and Endocrine Tumors of Dogs

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Doss ◽  
A. Grone ◽  
C. C. Capen ◽  
T. J. Rosol
Keyword(s):  
Chromogranin A ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Endocrine Cells ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Immunohistochemical Localization ◽  
Endocrine Tumors ◽  
Parathyroid Adenomas ◽  
Immunohistochemical Identification ◽  
Endocrine Tissues

Chromogranin A is present in the secretory granules of endocrine cells and functions in hormone packaging, secretory granule stabilization, and regulation of hormone secretion. Immunohistochemical identification of chromogranin A can facilitate diagnosis of endocrine neoplasia. Normal and neoplastic canine tissues were stained immunohistochemically for chromogranin A. Staining of normal endocrine tissues demonstrated chromogranin A in chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, C cells of the thyroid gland, and pancreatic islets. The parathyroid chief cells and anterior pituitary stained lightly positive for chromogranin A. Pheochromocytomas (7/7), chemodectomas (5/7), islet cell carcinomas (2/6), pituitary adenomas (4/6), parathyroid adenomas (3/7), and a C-cell carcinoma (1/1) stained positive for chromogranin A. The data indicate that chromogranin A is widely distributed in canine endocrine tissues, and immunohistochemical staining of chromogranin A can be used to confirm the presence of secretory granules in endocrine tumors.

scholarly journals Chromogranin A, the major lumenal protein in chromaffin granules, controls fusion pore expansion

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhodh S. Abbineni ◽  
Mary A. Bittner ◽  
Daniel Axelrod ◽  
Ronald W. Holz
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Chromogranin A ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Fusion Pore ◽  
Chromaffin Granules ◽  
Chromaffin Granule ◽  
Chromogranin B ◽  
Tissue Plasminogen ◽  
Pore Expansion

Upon fusion of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane, small molecules are discharged through the immediately formed narrow fusion pore, but protein discharge awaits pore expansion. Recently, fusion pore expansion was found to be regulated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a protein present within the lumen of chromaffin granules in a subpopulation of chromaffin cells. Here, we further examined the influence of other lumenal proteins on fusion pore expansion, especially chromogranin A (CgA), the major and ubiquitous lumenal protein in chromaffin granules. Polarized TIRF microscopy demonstrated that the fusion pore curvature of granules containing CgA-EGFP was long lived, with curvature lifetimes comparable to those of tPA-EGFP–containing granules. This was surprising because fusion pore curvature durations of granules containing exogenous neuropeptide Y-EGFP (NPY-EGFP) are significantly shorter (80% lasting <1 s) than those containing CgA-EGFP, despite the anticipated expression of endogenous CgA. However, quantitative immunocytochemistry revealed that transiently expressed lumenal proteins, including NPY-EGFP, caused a down-regulation of endogenously expressed proteins, including CgA. Fusion pore curvature durations in nontransfected cells were significantly longer than those of granules containing overexpressed NPY but shorter than those associated with granules containing overexpressed tPA, CgA, or chromogranin B. Introduction of CgA to NPY-EGFP granules by coexpression converted the fusion pore from being transient to being longer lived, comparable to that found in nontransfected cells. These findings demonstrate that several endogenous chromaffin granule lumenal proteins are regulators of fusion pore expansion and that alteration of chromaffin granule contents affects fusion pore lifetimes. Importantly, the results indicate a new role for CgA. In addition to functioning as a prohormone, CgA plays an important role in controlling fusion pore expansion.

scholarly journals Secretory granule protein chromogranin B (CHGB) forms an anion channel in membranes

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. e201800139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaya P Yadav ◽  
Hui Zheng ◽  
Qing Yang ◽  
Lauren G Douma ◽  
Linda B Bloom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Local Concentration ◽  
Chromogranin B ◽  
Fast Kinetics ◽  
Granule Protein

Regulated secretion is an intracellular pathway that is highly conserved from protists to humans. Granin family proteins were proposed to participate in the biogenesis, maturation and release of secretory granules in this pathway. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the intracellular functions of the granin family proteins remain unclear. Here, we show that chromogranin B (CHGB), a secretory granule protein, inserts itself into membrane and forms a chloride-conducting channel. CHGB interacts strongly with phospholipid membranes through two amphipathic α helices. At a high local concentration, CHGB insertion in membrane causes significant bilayer remodeling, producing protein-coated nanoparticles and nanotubules. Fast kinetics and high cooperativity for anion efflux from CHGB vesicles suggest that CHGB tetramerizes to form a functional channel with a single-channel conductance of ∼125 pS (150/150 mM Cl−). The CHGB channel is sensitive to an anion channel blocker and exhibits higher anion selectivity than the other six known families of Cl−channels. Our data suggest that the CHGB subfamily of granin proteins forms a new family of organelle chloride channels.

scholarly journals Secretory-granule dynamics visualized in vivo with a phogrin–green fluorescent protein chimaera

1998 ◽  
Vol 333 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristea E. POULI ◽  
Evaggelia EMMANOUILIDOU ◽  
Chao ZHAO ◽  
Christina WASMEIER ◽  
John C. HUTTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Dense Core ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Insulinoma Cells

To image the behaviour in real time of single secretory granules in neuroendocrine cells we have expressed cDNA encoding a fusion construct between the dense-core secretory-granule-membrane glycoprotein, phogrin (phosphatase on the granule of insulinoma cells), and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Expressed in INS-1 β-cells and pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, the chimaera was localized efficiently (up to 95%) to dense-core secretory granules (diameter 200–1000 nm), identified by co-immunolocalization with anti-(pro-)insulin antibodies in INS-1 cells and dopamine β-hydroxylase in PC12 cells. Using laser-scanning confocal microscopy and digital image analysis, we have used this chimaera to monitor the effects of secretagogues on the dynamics of secretory granules in single living cells. In unstimulated INS-1 β-cells, granule movement was confined to oscillatory movement (dithering) with period of oscillation 5–10 s and mean displacement < 1 µm. Both elevated glucose concentrations (30 mM), and depolarization of the plasma membrane with K+, provoked large (5–10 µm) saltatory excursions of granules across the cell, which were never observed in cells maintained at low glucose concentration. By contrast, long excursions of granules occurred in PC12 cells without stimulation, and occurred predominantly from the cell body towards the cell periphery and neurite extensions. Purinergic-receptor activation with ATP provoked granule movement towards the membrane of PC12 cells, resulting in the transfer of fluorescence to the plasma membrane consistent with fusion of the granule and diffusion of the chimaera in the plasma membrane. These results illustrate the potential use of phogrin–EGFP chimeras in the study of secretory-granule dynamics, the regulation of granule–cytoskeletal interactions and the trafficking of a granule-specific transmembrane protein during the cycle of exocytosis and endocytosis.

Recycling of a secretory granule membrane protein after stimulated secretion

1993 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Hurtley
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase ◽  
Granule Membrane ◽  
Antibody Complex ◽  
Adrenal Chromaffin

Recycling of a secretory granule membrane protein, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, was examined in primary cultures of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Cells were stimulated to secrete in the presence of antibodies directed against the luminal domain of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. The location of the antibodies after various times of reincubation and after a second secretory stimulus was assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy. Stimulation led to the exposure of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase at the plasma membrane, which could be detected by a polyclonal antibody in living and fixed cells. The plasma membrane dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, either alone or complexed with antibody, was rapidly internalized after removal of the secretagogue. Internalized protein-antibody complex remained stable for at least 24 hours of reculture. Twenty four hours after stimulation the cells with internalized antibody could respond to further stimulation and some of the antibody was re-exposed at the plasma membrane. These findings were confirmed using FACS analysis. This suggests that the antibody-protein complex had returned to secretory granules that could respond to further secretagogue stimulation.

Proteolytic processing of chromogranin A in cultured chromaffin cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 1051 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Simon ◽  
Marie-France Bader ◽  
Dominique Aunis
Keyword(s):  
Chromogranin A ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Proteolytic Processing

scholarly journals A subclass of proteins and sulfated macromolecules secreted by AtT-20 (mouse pituitary tumor) cells is sorted with adrenocorticotropin into dense secretory granules.

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 810-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
H P Moore ◽  
B Gumbiner ◽  
R B Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Pituitary Tumor ◽  
Common Property ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Tumor Line ◽  
Mouse Pituitary

The AtT-20 cell, a mouse pituitary tumor line that secretes adrenocorticotropin and beta-endorphin, sorts the proteins it externalizes into two exocytotic pathways. Cells that are labeled with [35S]methionine or [35S]sulfate can be shown to transport three acidic polypeptides (65,000, 60,000, and 37,000 mol wt) and at least two sulfated macromolecules into storage secretory granules. When the cells are stimulated by the secretagogue 8-bromo-cAMP, these polypeptides are coordinately secreted with mature adrenocorticotropin into the culture medium. In contrast, a completely different set of secreted polypeptides and sulfated macromolecules does not enter a storage form and is transported to the cell surface more rapidly. Their secretion from the cells is constitutive and does not require the presence of secretagogues. These molecules, like a viral membrane glycoprotein described previously (Gumbiner, B., and R. B. Kelly, 1982, Cell, 28:51-59) are not found in isolated secretory granules and therefore must reach the cell surface in a different exocytotic vesicle. The segregation of a subclass of secretory macromolecules into the secretory granules, despite the existence of another potential secretory pathway, suggests that these molecules have specific functions related to regulated hormone secretion or storage. Presumably all of the proteins secreted by the regulated secretory granule pathway share some common property that targets them to the secretory granule.

The GTPase Rab3a is associated with large dense core vesicles in bovine chromaffin cells and rat PC12 cells

1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 1639-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Darchen ◽  
J. Senyshyn ◽  
W.H. Brondyk ◽  
D.J. Taatjes ◽  
R.W. Holz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Immunoelectron Microscopy ◽  
Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Dense Core ◽  
Dense Core Vesicles ◽  
Large Dense Core Vesicles ◽  
Bovine Chromaffin Cells ◽  
Specific Association

Small GTPases of the rab family control intracellular vesicle traffic in eukaryotic cells. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of the Rab proteins have not been elucidated yet, it is known that the function of these proteins is dependent on their precise subcellular localization. It has been suggested that Rab3a, which is mainly expressed in neural and endocrine cells, might regulate exocytosis. Recently, direct experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis has been obtained. Consistent with such a role for Rab3a in regulated exocytosis was the previously reported specific association of Rab3a with synaptic vesicles and with secretory granules in adrenal chromaffin cells. Since the latter result, based on subcellular fractionation, has been controversial, we have re-investigated the subcellular localization of this GTP-binding protein by using a combination of morphological techniques. Bovine chromaffin cells were labelled with an affinity-purified polyclonal anti-Rab3a antibody and analyzed by confocal microcopy. Rab3a was found to colocalize partially with dopamine beta-hydroxylase, a chromaffin granule marker. In agreement with this observation, immunoelectron microscopy revealed a specific staining of chromaffin granules. In addition to large dense core vesicles, some small vesicles were labelled. To eliminate the possibility that the staining was due to a Rab3a-related protein, we investigated by immunoelectron microscopy the localization of an epitope-tagged Rab3a expressed in rat PC12 cells. Secretory granules were specifically labelled, whereas clear microvesicles were not. These results provide further evidence supporting a specific association of the GTPase Rab3a with large dense core secretory vesicles.

scholarly journals Microtubules and protein secretion in rat lacrimal glands: localization of short-term effects of colchicine on the secretory process.

1982 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Busson-Mabillot ◽  
A M Chambaut-Guérin ◽  
L Ovtracht ◽  
P Muller ◽  
B Rossignol
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Protein Secretion ◽  
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Secretory Protein ◽  
Protein Release ◽  
Secretory Process ◽  
Granule Formation

The pathway and kinetics of the secretory protein transport in rat lacrimal exorbital gland have been established by an in vitro time-course radioautographic study of pulse-labeled protein secretion. The colchicine-sensitive steps have been localized by using the drug at various times with respect to the pulse labeling of proteins. Colchicine (10 microM) does not block any step of the secretory protein transport, but when introduced before the pulse it decreases the transfer of labeled proteins from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi area, suppressing their temporary accumulation in the Golgi area before any alteration of this organelle is detectable. Moreover, colchicine inhibits protein release only from the secretory granules formed in its presence because the peroxidase discharge is diminished 1 h after colchicine addition, and the secretion of newly synthesized proteins is strongly inhibited only when colchicine is introduced before secretory granule formation. Morphometric studies show that there is a great increase of secondary lysosomes, related to crinophagy, as early as 40-50 min after colchicine is added. However, changes in lysosomal enzymatic activities remained biochemically undetectable. We conclude that: (a) the labile microtubular system does not seem indispensable for protein transport in the rough endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi area but may facilitate this step, perhaps by maintaining the spatial organization of this area; and (b) in the lacrimal gland, colchicine inhibits protein release not by acting on the steps of secretion following the secretory granule formation, but by acting chiefly on the steps preceding secretory granule formation, perhaps by making the secretory granules formed in its presence incapable of discharging their content.

scholarly journals Immunocytochemical Localization of Secretogranin III in the Anterior Lobe of Male Rat Pituitary Glands

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Sakai ◽  
Masahiro Hosaka ◽  
Yoshiki Hira ◽  
Tatsuo Harumi ◽  
Yoshiyuki Ohsawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Endocrine Cells ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Chromogranin B ◽  
Rat Pituitary ◽  
Granule Membrane

Secretogranin III (SgIII) is one of the acidic secretory proteins, designated as granins, which are specifically expressed in neuronal and endocrine cells. To clarify its precise distribution in the anterior lobe of the rat pituitary gland, we raised a polyclonal antiserum against rat SgIII for immunocytochemical analyses. By immunohistochemistry using semithin sections, positive signals for SgIII were detected intensely in mammotropes and thyrotropes, moderately in gonadotropes and corticotropes, but not in somatotropes. The distribution pattern of SgIII in the pituitary gland was similar to that of chromogranin B (CgB), also of the granin protein family, suggesting that the expressions of these two granins are regulated by common mechanisms. The localization of SgIII in endocrine cells was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy. In particular, secretory granules of mammotropes and thyrotropes were densely and preferentially co-labeled for SgIII and CgB in their periphery. Moreover, positive signals for SgIII were occasionally found in cells containing both prolactin and TSH in secretory granules. These lines of evidence suggest that SgIII and CgB are closely associated with the secretory granule membrane and that this membrane association might contribute to gathering and anchoring of other soluble constituents to the secretory granule membrane.

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