title: The hypophysis controls expression of SNAP-25 and other SNAREs in the adrenal gland.
abstract: SNAP-25 (Synaptosomal Associated Protein of 25 kDa), in association with two other SNARE (soluble NSF attachment protein receptor) proteins, syntaxin and Vesicle Associated Membrane Protein, VAMP, is implicated in regulated and constitutive exocytosis in neurones and neuroendocrine cells. Our previous studies have shown that it is expressed more by noradrenergic than adrenergic chromaffin cells in the rat adrenal gland. Since certain hormones under hypophyseal control play an essential role in determining chromaffin cell phenotype, the present study examined the effect of hypophysectomy on SNAP-25 expression. Hypophysectomy was found by immunoblotting and RT-PCR analysis to increase adrenal gland SNAP-25, syntaxin-1 and VAMP-2 levels, without modifying the relative expression of SNAP-25 isoforms: immunocytochemistry showed a dramatic increase in SNAP-25 expression in former adrenergic chromaffin cells. Since adrenal glucocorticoids are considerably reduced by hypophysectomy, the effect of corticosterone replacement therapy was investigated. This did not change levels of SNAP-25, syntaxin-1 or VAMP-2. SNARE expression was also unmodified in pheochromocytoma cells treated with a synthetic glucocorticoid. In contrast, subcutaneous injection of hypophysectomized rats with thyroid hormone decreased adrenal SNAP-25, demonstrating the potential importance of the pituitary-thyroid axis. The current data thus demonstrate that the hypophysis exerts an inhibitory control on adrenal gland SNARE proteins. They suggest that glucocorticoids are unlikely to be directly responsible for this but provide evidence that thyroid hormones are implicated in this phenomenon. The putative role of hormonal regulation on SNARE function is discussed.
authors.affiliation: INSERM Unité 338, Biologie de la Communication Cellulaire, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hepp
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chasserot-Golaz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aunis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Langley
mesh_terms: D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D050825:Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25; D050827:Syntaxin 1; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002395:Catecholamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050600:SNARE Proteins; C494210:Snap25 protein, rat; C494213:Stx1a protein, rat; D050825:Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25; D050827:Syntaxin 1; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase