Studying Neuronal Peptide Release and Secretory Granule Dynamics with Green Fluorescent Protein

Methods ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin S. Levitan
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Peptide Release ◽  
Green Fluorescent

scholarly journals Secretory-granule dynamics visualized in vivo with a phogrin–green fluorescent protein chimaera

1998 ◽  
Vol 333 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristea E. POULI ◽  
Evaggelia EMMANOUILIDOU ◽  
Chao ZHAO ◽  
Christina WASMEIER ◽  
John C. HUTTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Pc12 Cells ◽  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Dense Core ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Insulinoma Cells

To image the behaviour in real time of single secretory granules in neuroendocrine cells we have expressed cDNA encoding a fusion construct between the dense-core secretory-granule-membrane glycoprotein, phogrin (phosphatase on the granule of insulinoma cells), and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Expressed in INS-1 β-cells and pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, the chimaera was localized efficiently (up to 95%) to dense-core secretory granules (diameter 200–1000 nm), identified by co-immunolocalization with anti-(pro-)insulin antibodies in INS-1 cells and dopamine β-hydroxylase in PC12 cells. Using laser-scanning confocal microscopy and digital image analysis, we have used this chimaera to monitor the effects of secretagogues on the dynamics of secretory granules in single living cells. In unstimulated INS-1 β-cells, granule movement was confined to oscillatory movement (dithering) with period of oscillation 5–10 s and mean displacement < 1 µm. Both elevated glucose concentrations (30 mM), and depolarization of the plasma membrane with K+, provoked large (5–10 µm) saltatory excursions of granules across the cell, which were never observed in cells maintained at low glucose concentration. By contrast, long excursions of granules occurred in PC12 cells without stimulation, and occurred predominantly from the cell body towards the cell periphery and neurite extensions. Purinergic-receptor activation with ATP provoked granule movement towards the membrane of PC12 cells, resulting in the transfer of fluorescence to the plasma membrane consistent with fusion of the granule and diffusion of the chimaera in the plasma membrane. These results illustrate the potential use of phogrin–EGFP chimeras in the study of secretory-granule dynamics, the regulation of granule–cytoskeletal interactions and the trafficking of a granule-specific transmembrane protein during the cycle of exocytosis and endocytosis.

Regulation of secretory granule pH in insulin-secreting cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. C429-C437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda S. Tompkins ◽  
Kevin D. Nullmeyer ◽  
Sean M. Murphy ◽  
Craig S. Weber ◽  
Ronald M. Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Granule ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Human Growth ◽  
Egfp Gene ◽  
Peptide Release ◽  
Insulin Secreting Cells ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Insulinoma Cells

Luminal acidification is important for the maturation of secretory granules, yet little is known regarding the regulation of pH within them. A pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was targeted to secretory granules in RIN1046-38 insulinoma cells by using a construct in which the EGFP gene was preceded by the nucleotide sequence for human growth hormone. Stimulatory levels of glucose doubled EGFP secretion from cell cultures, and potentiators of glucose-induced insulin secretion enhanced EGFP release. Thus this targeted EGFP is useful for population measurements of secretion. However, less than ∼4% of total cell EGFP was released after 1.5 h of stimulation. Consequently, when analyzed in single cells, fluorescence of the targeted EGFP acts as an indicator of pH within secretory granules. Glucose elicited a decrease in granule pH, whereas inhibitors of the V-type H+-ATPase increased pH and blocked the glucose effect. Granule pH also was modified by effectors of the protein kinase A pathway, with activation eliciting granule alkalinization, suggesting that potentiation of peptide release by cAMP may involve regulated changes in secretory granule pH.

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