Formation of secretory granules by chromogranins

Med Mol Morphol. 2009 Dec;42(4):201-3. doi: 10.1007/s00795-009-0472-9. Epub 2009 Dec 24.

Abstract

This review article covers the molecular mechanisms of secretory granule formation by chromogranin transfection. Recently, a few investigators have reported that the transfection of chromogranin A and B produces the structures of secretory granules. We used the GFP-chromogranin A transfection method to nonendocrine cells, COS-7 cells, which are not equipped with secretory granules. Despite the absence of endogenous secretory granules in nontransfected COS-7 cells, COS-7 cells transfected with chromogranin A contained granule-like structures in electron micrographs. The granules were composed of an outer limiting membrane with core structures that were interpreted as secretory granules. Human chromogranin A (CgA) labeled with 5-nm gold particles was present in several dense-core granules in our previous electron microscopy study. This review depicts the role of chromogranin A in the formation of secretory granules. It emphasizes the application of recently developed new technologies and the genesis of secretory granules.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells / ultrastructure
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Chromogranin A / genetics
  • Chromogranin A / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Chromogranin A
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins