title: Expression and localization of chromogranin A gene and protein in human submandibular gland.
abstract: Human saliva chromogranin A (CgA) is clinically promising as a psychological stress marker. However, expression of CgA is poorly understood in humans, although salivary gland localization of CgA in other mammals, such as rodents and horses, has been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated the expression and localization of CgA in the human submandibular gland (HSG) using various methods. CgA was consistently localized in serous and ductal cells in HSG, as detected by immunohistochemistry and in situhybridization. Reactivity was stronger in serous cells than in ductal cells. In addition, strong immunoreactivity for CgA was observed in the saliva matrix of ductal cavities. Western blotting gave one significant immunoreactive band of 68 kDa in the adrenal gland, HSG and saliva. Finally, CgA was detected in secretory granules of serous and ductal cells by immunoelectron microscopy. In conclusion, CgA in humans is produced by HSG and secreted into saliva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College, Japan.
authors.forename: Juri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saruta
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsukinoki
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sasaguri
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Osamura
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Sadao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: C506150:CHGA protein, human; D053379:Chromogranin A; D002864:Chromogranins; D012333:RNA, Messenger