Premium
Astrocytes as secretory cells of the central nervous system: idiosyncrasies of vesicular secretion
Author(s) -
Verkhratsky Alexei,
Matteoli Michela,
Parpura Vladimir,
Mothet JeanPierre,
Zorec Robert
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.201592705
Subject(s) - biology , exocytosis , secretion , microvesicles , microbiology and biotechnology , secretory vesicle , context (archaeology) , biogenesis , secretory protein , astrocyte , secretory pathway , central nervous system , neuroscience , biochemistry , endoplasmic reticulum , golgi apparatus , microrna , paleontology , gene
Astrocytes are housekeepers of the central nervous system ( CNS ) and are important for CNS development, homeostasis and defence. They communicate with neurones and other glial cells through the release of signalling molecules. Astrocytes secrete a wide array of classic neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and hormones, as well as metabolic, trophic and plastic factors, all of which contribute to the gliocrine system. The release of neuroactive substances from astrocytes occurs through several distinct pathways that include diffusion through plasmalemmal channels, translocation by multiple transporters and regulated exocytosis. As in other eukaryotic cells, exocytotic secretion from astrocytes involves divergent secretory organelles (synaptic‐like microvesicles, dense‐core vesicles, lysosomes, exosomes and ectosomes), which differ in size, origin, cargo, membrane composition, dynamics and functions. In this review, we summarize the features and functions of secretory organelles in astrocytes. We focus on the biogenesis and trafficking of secretory organelles and on the regulation of the exocytotic secretory system in the context of healthy and diseased astrocytes.