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来相互交流。胞吐是分泌的一种形式，是一种细胞过程，涉及到膜的融合，导致物质从细胞中排出。胞吐作用的机制对于理解细胞间的突触传递和细胞间通讯具有重要的基础作用。本研究项目的目的是确定在神经元和副神经元细胞中发生的胞吐调节的步骤。Holz博士将研究膜联蛋白（一类脂蛋白）在胞吐过程中的作用。先前的研究结果表明，膜联蛋白在正常的分泌途径中发挥重要作用。利用培养的嗜铬细胞进行实验，以确定膜联蛋白是否与颗粒（一种参与分泌的特殊细胞产物）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.