© Springer International Publishing AG 2017 249
T. Angelone et al. (eds.), Chromogranins: from Cell Biology to Physiology
and Biomedicine, UNIPA Springer Series, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-58338-9_15
Chromogranins and the Quantum Release
of Catecholamines
Leandro Castañeyra, Michelle Juan-Bandini, Natalia Domínguez,
José David Machado, and Ricardo Borges
Abstract Chromogranins (Cgs) are the most abundant intravesicular proteins of
chromaffin granules. Using Cgs knockout mice, we found that the lack of chromo-
granin A (CgA), chromogranin B (CgB) or both drastically reduce the vesicular
content of catecholamines (CA), impair its accumulation in granules and largely
affect the kinetics of exocytosis. Conversely, the overexpression of CgA induces the
genesis of vesicles, increases their quantal content and even transforms non-
secretory in cells capable to secrete substances. We conclude that Cgs contribute to
a highly efficient system that directly mediates monoamine accumulation and regu-
lates the exocytotic process.
Abbreviations
CA Catecholamines
CgA Chromogranin A
CgA&B Chromogranins A and B
CgB Chromogranin B
Cgs Chromogranins
KO Knockout
LDCV Large dense core vesicle
SgII Secretogranin II
We dedicate this review to Prof. Hans-Hermann Gerdes who passed away in August 18, 2013. He
largely contributed to enhance our knowledge of the functional roles of chromogranins.
L. Castañeyra • M. Juan-Bandini • J.D. Machado • R. Borges (*)
Unidad de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna,
E-38320-La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
e-mail: [email protected]
N. Domínguez
Unidad de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna,
E-38320-La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
VU Medical Center, Clinical Genetics,
De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands