Annexins in Exocytosis from Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

神经细胞通过分泌被称为神经递质的化学信使相互通信。胞吐作用是分泌的一种形式，是一种细胞过程，涉及膜的融合，导致物质从细胞中排出。胞吐作用的机制虽然知之甚少，但对于理解细胞间的突触传递和细胞间通讯是至关重要的。本研究项目的目的是确定神经元和动脉瘤旁细胞中胞吐作用的调控步骤。霍尔茨博士将研究一类脂蛋白--膜联蛋白在胞吐过程中的作用。以往的研究结果表明，膜联蛋白在正常的分泌途径中发挥着重要作用。使用培养的嗜铬细胞的实验将被用来确定膜联蛋白是否与参与分泌的特殊细胞产物颗粒相互作用，并测试膜联蛋白可能调节颗粒与质膜结合的可能性。这些研究的结果可能适用于理解突触传递中的突触前事件。

Nerve cells communicate with each other by secreting chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. Exocytosis, a form of secretion, is a cellular process which involves the fusion of membranes, resulting in the discharge of substances from cells. Though poorly understood, the mechanism of exocytosis is of fundamental importance for understanding synaptic transmission and intercellular communication between cells. The goal of this research project is to ascertain the steps involved in the regulation of exocytosis that occur in neuronal and paraneuronal cells. Dr. Holz will examine the role of annexins, a class of lipoproteins, in the process of exocytosis. Previous results suggest that annexins play a significant role in the normal secretory pathway. Experiments using cultured chromaffin cells will be used to determine if annexins interact with granule, a specialized cell product involved in secretion, and to test the possibility that annexins may regulate the binding of granule to the plasma membrane. Results of these studies are likely to be applicable to the understanding of presynaptic events in synaptic transmission.