title: Regulation of exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells: focus on ARF and Rho GTPases.
abstract: Neurons and neuroendocrine cells release transmitters and hormones by exocytosis, a highly regulated process in which secretory vesicles or granules fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents in response to a calcium trigger. Several stages have been recognized in exocytosis. After recruitment and docking at the plasma membrane, vesicles/granules enter a priming step, which is then followed by the fusion process. Cortical actin remodelling accompanies the exocytotic reaction, but the links between actin dynamics and trafficking events remain poorly understood. Here, we review the action of Rho and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPases within the exocytotic pathway in adrenal chromaffin cells. Rho proteins are well known for their pivotal role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton. ARFs were originally identified as regulators of vesicle transport within cells. The possible interplay between these two families of GTPases and their downstream effectors provides novel insights into the mechanisms that govern exocytosis.
authors.affiliation: CNRS UPR-2356 Neurotransmission et Sécrétion Neuroendocrine, Centre de Neurochimie, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gasman
authors.forename: Sylvette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chasserot-Golaz
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vitale
mesh_terms: D020727:ADP-Ribosylation Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology*; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D005089:Exocytosis; D006801:Humans; D010739:Phospholipase D / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D010739:Phospholipase D; D020727:ADP-Ribosylation Factors; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein