Bovine chromogranin A sequence and distribution of its messenger RNA in endocrine tissues

Anna Iacangelo, Hans Urs Affolter, Lee E. Eiden, Edward Herbert, Mark Grimes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

278 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chromogranin A is contained in storage vesicles of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and released with catecholamines when the splanchnic nerve is stimulated1,2. Chromogranin A is similar to secretory protein I (SP-I), a major secreted protein of the parathyroid3. Chromogranin A/SP-I immunoreactivity is abundant in endocrine cells that secrete peptide hormones from storage vesicles4-7. Chromogranins may act in neuroendocrine secretion by binding intravesicular calcium8,9. Serum levels of chromogranin are raised in hypertension10 and endocrine neoplasia8,10,11. We report here the isolation and sequencing of a cDNA encoding bovine chromogranin A, providing the first complete primary structure of a chromogranin protein. Chromogranin A is a highly acidic protein with an apparent relative molecular mass (Mr) of 75,000 on SDS-PAGE, but an actual Mr of 48,000. Adrenal medulla, brain, pituitary and parathyroid are all sites of synthesis of chromogranin A. The primary structure of chromogranin A, and the presence of chromogranin mRNA in the parathyroid, indicate that chromogranin A and SP-I are identical.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)82-86
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume323
Issue number6083
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bovine chromogranin A sequence and distribution of its messenger RNA in endocrine tissues'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this