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WE‐14, a Chromogranin A‐Derived Neuropeptide
Author(s) -
CURRY W. J.,
BARKATULLAH S. C.,
JOHANSSON A. N.,
QUINN J. G.,
NORLEN P.,
CONNOLLY C. K.,
McCOLLUM A. P.,
McVICAR C. M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04485.x
Subject(s) - chromogranin a , enterochromaffin cell , biology , immunostaining , neuroendocrine cell , neuropeptide , population , neuropeptide y receptor , synaptophysin , endocrinology , lineage (genetic) , cell type , medicine , receptor , immunohistochemistry , cell , serotonin , immunology , biochemistry , environmental health , gene
A bstract : The neuropeptide WE‐14 is derived from the posttranslational processing of chromogranin A (CgA). While CgA is expressed in a preponderance of neuroendocrine cells, WE‐14 is generated in a distinct subpopulation of CgA‐immunopositive cells, most notably in the adrenal, pituitary, and parathyroid glands. Physiological and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that CgA is cleaved to generate WE‐14 in the adrenal chromaffin cell population and in the enterochromaffin‐like (ECL) cells of the oxyntic mucosa. Pathological analyses of neuroendocrine tumors have revealed a heterogeneous pattern of WE‐14 immunostaining, with variable concentrations quantified and chromatographically resolved in tissue extracts. Phylogenetic surveys have demonstrated that WE‐14 exhibits an ancient lineage, while ontogenetic examination has shown that it is generated at an early stage during fetal development. Putative WE‐14 receptor binding sites have been identified in several tissues; however, the physiological role of WE‐14 remains enigmatic.