title: Secretion of locally synthesized neurohormone from neurites of peptidergic neurons.
abstract: Local protein synthesis in neuronal processes is a common phenomenon and may play an important role in synaptic plasticity and hormonal regulation. We have used neuroendocrine bag cells of Aplysia californica as a model system to study local protein synthesis. In our previous work we found that bag cell neurites are capable of synthesizing and processing the prohormone of egg-laying hormone (pro-ELH). In the present study, we found that bag cell neurites are also capable of releasing locally synthesized pro-ELH and ELH-related products via both constitutive and regulated pathways. However, an electrical afterdischarge did not enhance local pro-ELH synthesis, as it does in the bag cell soma. This is the first evidence that isolated neurites are capable of secreting locally synthesized proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 90095-1751, USA.
authors.forename: Wenjau
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Wayne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D006728:Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010455:Peptides