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Selective localization and regulated release of calcitonin gene‐related peptide from dense‐core vesicles in engineered PC12 cells
Author(s) -
Schweitzer Erik S.,
Jeng ChungJiuan,
TaoCheng JungHwa
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4547(19961201)46:5<519::aid-jnr1>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - calcitonin gene related peptide , calcitonin , microbiology and biotechnology , neuropeptide , vesicle , transfection , chemistry , biology , gene , endocrinology , biochemistry , receptor , membrane
of the gene for calcitonin into the neuroendocrine PC12 cell line resulted in the expression of the neuronal‐specific splice product, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). Expression of this neuropeptide did not require treatment of the PC12 cells with NGF. By all available criteria, including biochemical, immunological, and morphological analysis, we have determined that the CGRP in stably transfected PC12 cells is sorted selectively into the large, dense‐core catecholamine‐containing secretory vesicles. Conversely, the CGRP is excluded from the small, synaptophysin‐rich vesicles present in the same cells. Stimulation conditions that trigger the release of catecholamines cause a parallel burst in the release of CGRP. In all these respects, the engineered PC12 cells process the foreign CGRP in a manner similar to that seen in spinal motor neurons in vivo. These results indicate that this small (37 amino acids) peptide contains sorting information sufficient for targeting to large, dense‐core vesicles in heterologous cells, placing very narrow constraints on the possible location of sorting signals. In addition, this CGRP‐expressing cell line opens the possibility of studying the physiological role of CGRP in the establishment and maintenance of neuromuscular contacts. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.