scholarly journals Targeting of the zymogen-granule protein syncollin in AR42J and AtT-20 cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 350 (3) ◽  
pp. 637-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alois HODEL ◽  
J. Michael EDWARDSON

Syncollin is a 13-kDa protein associated with the membranes of pancreatic zymogen granules. Here we determine the in situ localization of syncollin in pancreatic acinar cells from adult and neonatal rats, and study the targeting of green fluorescent protein-(GFP-) and His6-tagged syncollin chimaeras in model exocrine and endocrine secretory cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of the distribution of syncollin in fully differentiated and neonatal acinar cells revealed a granular pattern that corresponded with that of the zymogen-granule markers synaptobrevin 2 and amylase. In fully differentiated acinar cells syncollin-positive vesicles were detected in the apical region of the cells, whereas in neonatal acinar cells they were found clustered near the cell nucleus. Both GFP- and His6-tagged syncollin entered the secretory pathway when transiently expressed in AR42J or AtT-20 cells. Syncollin-GFP was found predominantly in amylase-positive granules in AR42J cells and in adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-) positive granules in AtT-20 cells. Syncollin-GFP was also present in the Golgi complex in AR42J cells. Syncollin-His6 became localized in ACTH-containing granules in the neuritic processes of AtT-20 cells. In AR42J cells syncollin-His6 did not co-localize with amylase, but was detected in acidic vesicles. These results show that the exocrine protein syncollin contains intrinsic cell-type-independent targeting information that is retained in both exocrine and endocrine cells after fusion to the GFP tag. In contrast, His6-tagged syncollin is efficiently targeted to secretory granules only in AtT-20 cells and not in AR42J cells.

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (6) ◽  
pp. G439-G452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Messenger ◽  
Diana D. H. Thomas ◽  
Michelle A. Falkowski ◽  
Jennifer A. Byrne ◽  
Fred S. Gorelick ◽  
...  

Zymogen granule (ZG) formation in acinar cells involves zymogen cargo sorting from trans-Golgi into immature secretory granules (ISGs). ISG maturation progresses by removal of lysosomal membrane and select content proteins, which enter endosomal intermediates prior to their apical exocytosis. Constitutive and stimulated secretion through this mechanism is termed the constitutive-like and minor-regulated pathways, respectively. However, the molecular components that control membrane trafficking within these endosomal compartments are largely unknown. We show that tumor protein D52 is highly expressed in endosomal compartments following pancreatic acinar cell stimulation and regulates apical exocytosis of an apically directed endolysosomal compartment. Secretion from the endolysosomal compartment was detected by cell-surface antigen labeling of lysosome-associated membrane protein LAMP1, which is absent from ZGs, and had incomplete overlap with surface labeling of synaptotagmin 1, a marker of ZG exocytosis. Although culturing (16–18 h) of isolated acinar cells is accompanied by a loss of secretory responsiveness, the levels of SNARE proteins necessary for ZG exocytosis were preserved. However, levels of endolysosomal proteins D52, EEA1, Rab5, and LAMP1 markedly decreased with culture. When D52 levels were restored by adenoviral delivery, the levels of these regulatory proteins and secretion of both LAMP1 (endolysosomal) and amylase was strongly enhanced. These secretory effects were absent in alanine and aspartate substitutions of serine 136, the major D52 phosphorylation site, and were inhibited by brefeldin A, which does not directly affect the ZG compartment. Our results indicate that D52 directly regulates apical endolysosomal secretion and are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that this pathway indirectly regulates ZG secretion of digestive enzymes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 360 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renu K. JAIN ◽  
Paul B. M. JOYCE ◽  
Miguel MOLINETE ◽  
Philippe A. HALBAN ◽  
Sven-Ulrik GORR

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is used extensively as a reporter protein to monitor cellular processes, including intracellular protein trafficking and secretion. In general, this approach depends on GFP acting as a passive reporter protein. However, it was recently noted that GFP oligomerizes in the secretory pathway of endocrine cells. To characterize this oligomerization and its potential role in GFP transport, cytosolic and secretory forms of enhanced GFP (EGFP) were expressed in GH4C1 and AtT-20 endocrine cells. Biochemical analysis showed that cytosolic EGFP existed as a 27kDa monomer, whereas secretory forms of EGFP formed disulphide-linked oligomers. EGFP contains two cysteine residues (Cys49 and Cys71), which could play a role in this oligomerization. Site-directed mutagenesis of Cys49 and Cys71 showed that both cysteine residues were involved in disulphide interactions. Substitution of either cysteine residue resulted in a reduction or loss of oligomers, although dimers of the secretory form of EGFP remained. Mutation of these residues did not adversely affect the fluorescence of EGFP. EGFP oligomers were stored in secretory granules and secreted by the regulated secretory pathway in endocrine AtT-20 cells. Similarly, the dimeric mutant forms of EGFP were still secreted via the regulated secretory pathway, indicating that the higher-order oligomers were not necessary for sorting in AtT-20 cells. These results suggest that the oligomerization of EGFP must be considered when the protein is used as a reporter molecule in the secretory pathway.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (6) ◽  
pp. C1513-C1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestor A. Fernandez ◽  
Tao Liang ◽  
Herbert Y. Gaisano

In this report, a novel live acinar exocytosis imaging technique is described. An adenovirus was engineered, encoding for an endogenous zymogen granule (ZG) protein (syncollin) fused to pHluorin, a pH-dependent green fluorescent protein (GFP). Short-term culture of mouse acini infected with this virus permits exogenous adenoviral protein expression while retaining acinar secretory competence and cell polarity. The syncollin-pHluorin fusion protein was shown to be correctly localized to ZGs, and the pH-dependent fluorescence of pHluorin was retained. Coupled with the use of a spinning disk confocal microscope, the syncollin-pHluorin fusion protein exploits the ZG luminal pH changes that occur during exocytosis to visualize exocytic events of live acinar cells in real-time with high spatial resolution in three dimensions. Apical and basolateral exocytic events were observed on stimulation of acinar cells with maximal and supramaximal cholecystokinin concentrations, respectively. Sequential exocytic events were also observed. Coupled with the use of transgenic mice and/or adenovirus-mediated protein expression, this syncollin-pHluorin imaging method offers a superior approach to studying pancreatic acinar exocytosis. This assay can also be applied to acinar disease models to elucidate the mechanisms implicated in pancreatitis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 3502-3511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Larina ◽  
Purnima Bhat ◽  
James A. Pickett ◽  
Bradley S. Launikonis ◽  
Amit Shah ◽  
...  

Loss of granule content during exocytosis requires the opening of a fusion pore between the secretory granule and plasma membrane. In a variety of secretory cells, this fusion pore has now been shown to subsequently close. However, it is still unclear how pore closure is physiologically regulated and contentious as to how closure relates to granule content loss. Here, we examine the behavior of the fusion pore during zymogen granule exocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells. By using entry of high-molecular-weight dyes from the extracellular solution into the granule lumen, we show that the fusion pore has a diameter of 29–55 nm. We further show that by 5 min after granule fusion, many granules have a closed fusion pore with evidence indicating that pore closure is a prelude to endocytosis and that in granules with a closed fusion pore the chymotrypsinogen content is low. Finally, we show that latrunculin B treatment promotes pore closure, suggesting F-actin affects pore dynamics. Together, our data do not support the classical view in acinar cells that exocytosis ends with granule collapse. Instead, for many granules the fusion pore closes, probably as a transition to endocytosis, and likely involving an F-actin–dependent mechanism.


1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (5) ◽  
pp. 1297-1308
Author(s):  
J.L. Thomas ◽  
A. Stieber ◽  
N. Gonatas

Lately, we have identified two polypeptides of 92–94 kDa (GRL1) and 45–60 kDa (GRL2), expressed in cytoplasmic granules of chicken granulocytes and thrombocytes. Here, we report that GRL1 and GRL2 are widely distributed in all exocrine and several endocrine cell types, but not in neurons of the central nervous system, during late stages of embryonic development, as well as in newly hatched and two-month-old chickens. Immunogold studies in ultrathin frozen sections of pancreatic acinar cells show that GRL1 and GRL2 are co-localized at the periphery of zymogen granules, in granules fused with apical acinar membranes and on apical membranes of acini, while the pregranular compartments of the secretory pathway are weakly or not labeled. Semiquantitative morphometric studies indicate that GRL1 and GRL2 are equally distributed in secretory granules. A variety of physical and metabolic studies reveal that GRL2, a highly N-glycosylated polypeptide, is an intrinsic membrane protein, while GRL1 is a peripheral membrane polypeptide released by Na2CO3 treatment of granulocyte membranes. In all hematopoietic, exocrine or endocrine cells examinated, GRL1 shows identical electrophoretic patterns, while GRL2 is identified as a diffuse band, at 40–65 kDa, in hematopoietic and pancreatic cells. Taken together, the morphological and biochemical studies indicate that GRL1 and GRL2 are components of the secretory granule membrane in chicken exocrine, endocrine and hemopoietic cell types.


1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 743-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
I M Le Gall ◽  
M Bendayan

Assembly and folding of newly synthesized polypeptides, acquisition of their biological active form, and their translocation in different cellular compartments are processes assisted by molecular chaperones. Because particular chaperones have been found to be present along the RER-Golgi-granule secretory pathway in pancreatic acinar cells, we presume that they should play important roles in secretion. In the present study, applying double immunogold labeling at the electron microscopic level on rat exocrine pancreas, we have revealed the existence of a topographical association between Hsp60 and particular pancreatic enzymes along the secretory pathway. The highest association was found for amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsinogen, whereas trypsinogen and carboxypeptidase B showed much lower association values. Immunoprecipitation of isolated zymogen granule content with an anti-Hsp60 antibody appears to confirm the morphological data, since amylase and lipase were found to co-precipitate with Hsp60. These findings support the hypothesis that Hsp60 is associated with certain pancreatic proteins along the secretory pathway. Hsp60 would assist the proper folding and assembly of pancreatic secretory proteins and could also prevent their autoactivation before secretion.


2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 4658-4668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam W. Allersma ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Daniel Axelrod ◽  
Ronald W. Holz

Secretory granules labeled with Vamp-green fluorescent protein (GFP) showed distinct signatures upon exocytosis when viewed by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. In ∼90% of fusion events, we observed a large increase in fluorescence intensity coupled with a transition from a small punctate appearance to a larger, spreading cloud with free diffusion of the Vamp-GFP into the plasma membrane. Quantitation suggests that these events reflect the progression of an initially fused and spherical granule flattening into the plane of the plasma membrane as the Vamp-GFP simultaneously diffuses through the fusion junction. Approximately 10% of the events showed a transition from puncta to ring-like structures coupled with little or no spreading. The ring-like images correspond quantitatively to granules fusing and retaining concavity (recess of ∼200 nm). A majority of fusion events involved granules that were present in the evanescent field for at least 12 s. However, ∼20% of the events involved granules that were present in the evanescent field for no more than 0.3 s, indicating that the interaction of the granule with the plasma membrane that leads to exocytosis can occur within that time. In addition, ∼10% of the exocytotic sites were much more likely to occur within a granule diameter of a previous event than can be accounted for by chance, suggestive of sequential (piggy-back) exocytosis that has been observed in other cells. Overall granule behavior before and during fusion is strikingly similar to exocytosis previously described in the constitutive secretory pathway.


1994 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
BP Jena ◽  
FD Gumkowski ◽  
EM Konieczko ◽  
GF von Mollard ◽  
R Jahn ◽  
...  

Regulated secretion from pancreatic acinar cells occurs by exocytosis of zymogen granules (ZG) at the apical plasmalemma. ZGs originate from the TGN and undergo prolonged maturation and condensation. After exocytosis, the zymogen granule membrane (ZGM) is retrieved from the plasma membrane and ultimately reaches the TGN. In this study, we analyzed the fate of a low M(r) GTP-binding protein during induced exocytosis and membrane retrieval using immunoblots as well as light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. This 27-kD protein, identified by a monoclonal antibody that recognizes rab3A and B, may be a novel rab3 isoform. In resting acinar cells, the rab3-like protein was detected primarily on the cytoplasmic face of ZGs, with little labeling of the Golgi complex and no significant labeling of the apical plasmalemma or any other intracellular membranes. Stimulation of pancreatic lobules in vitro by carbamylcholine for 15 min, resulted in massive exocytosis that led to a near doubling of the area of the apical plasma membrane. However, no relocation of the rab3-like protein to the apical plasmalemma was seen. After 3 h of induced exocytosis, during which time approximately 90% of the ZGs is released, the rab3-like protein appeared to translocate to small vesicles and newly forming secretory granules in the TGN. No significant increase of the rab3-like protein was found in the cytosolic fraction at any time during stimulation. Since the protein is not detected on the apical plasmalemma after stimulation, we conclude that recycling may involve a membrane dissociation-association cycle that accompanies regulated exocytosis.


1963 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Warshawsky ◽  
C. P. Leblond ◽  
B. Droz

Radioautographs of pancreatic acinar cells were prepared in rats and mice sacrificed at various times after injection of leucine-, glycine-, or methionine-H3. Measurements of radioactivity concentration (number of silver grains per unit area) and relative protein concentration (by microspectrophotometry of Millon-treated sections) yielded the mean specific activity of proteins in various regions of the acinar cells. The 2 to 5 minute radioautographs as well as the specific activity time curves demonstrate protein synthesis in ergastoplasm. From there, most newly synthesized proteins migrate to and accumulate in the Golgi zone. Then they spread to the whole zymogen region and, finally, enter the excretory ducts. An attempt at estimating turnover times indicated that two classes of proteins are synthesized in the ergastoplasm: "sedentary" with a slow turnover (62.5 hours) and "exportable" with rapid turnover (4.7 minutes). It is estimated that the exportable proteins spend approximately 11.7 minutes in the Golgi zone where they are built up into zymogen granules, and thereafter 36.0 minutes as fully formed zymogen granules, before they are released outside the acinar cell as pancreatic secretion. The mean life span of a zymogen granule in the cell is estimated to be 47.7 minutes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document