Chromogranin A, the major catecholamine storage vesicle soluble protein. Multiple size forms, subcellular storage, and regional distribution in chromaffin and nervous tissue elucidated by radioimmunoassay.
Chromogranin A (CgA), the major catecholamine storage vesicle (CSV) soluble protein, may index exocytotic sympathoadrenal secretion. To explore CgA in adrenergic tissues, we developed a radioimmunoassay for bovine CgA. Within adrenal medulla CSV, several minor chromogranins had similar amino acid compositions and peptide maps to that of CgA and also showed parallel, partial cross-reactivity in the CgA radioimmunoassay. CgA immunoreactivity represented 7 +/- 1% of total adrenal medulla cell protein and was localized to adrenal CSV, representing 46 +/- 2% of CSV soluble protein. In brain, there was 1000-fold less CgA than in adrenal medulla, with a widespread regional distribution (maximal in neocortex) and an unusual subcellular distribution (maximal in cytosol), both of which differ from reported catecholamine distribution. Brain chromogranin immunoreactivity also had a lower Stokes radius than adrenal CgA. Sympathetic nerve and serum had 6,000-fold and 30,000-fold less CgA than that in adrenal medulla. The results suggest a "family" of adrenal medulla chromogranins, similar structurally and immunoligically. Adrenal medulla and brain chromogranin differ in concentration, subcellular localization, and molecular size. Finally, CgA in serum may provide a useful tool for sympathoadrenal studies in intact organisms.
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002837:Chromaffin Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis*; D007106:Immune Sera; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000596:Amino Acids; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D007106:Immune Sera; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins