Activin A stimulates catecholamine secretion from rat adrenal chromaffin cells: A new physiological mechanism

Keating, Damien J and Chen, Chen (2005) Activin A stimulates catecholamine secretion from rat adrenal chromaffin cells: A new physiological mechanism. Journal of Endocrinology, 186 2: R1-R5.


Author Keating, Damien J
Chen, Chen
Title Activin A stimulates catecholamine secretion from rat adrenal chromaffin cells: A new physiological mechanism
Journal name Journal of Endocrinology  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2005-08
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1677/joe.1.06301
Volume number 186
Issue number 2
ISSN 022-0795; 1479-6805
Start page R1
End page R5
Total pages 5
Place of publication Bristol, England
Publisher BioScientifica
Language eng
Subject 110306 Endocrinology
110201 Cardiology (incl. Cardiovascular Diseases)
111201 Cancer Cell Biology
Formatted abstract Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor-ß family and has known roles in the adrenal cortex, from which activin A is secreted. We aimed to find whether activin A induces secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, which neighbours the adrenal cortex in vivo. Using carbon fibre amperometry, we were able to measure catecholamine secretion in real-time from single chromaffin cells dissociated from the rat adrenal medulla. Activin A stimulated catecholamine secretion in a rapid and dose-dependent manner from chromaffin cells. This effect was fully reversible upon washout of activin A. The minimum dose at which activin A had a maximal effect was 2 nM, with an EC50 of 1.1 nM. The degree of secretion induced by activin A (2 nM) was smaller than that due to membrane depolarization caused by an increase in the external K+ concentration from 5 to 70 mM. No response to activin A was seen when Ca2+ channels were blocked by Cd2+ (200 µM). We conclude from these findings that activin A is capable of stimulating a robust level of catecholamine secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This occurs via the opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, causing Ca2+ entry, thereby triggering exocytosis. These findings illustrate a new physiological role of activin A and a new mechanism in the control of catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla.
Keyword Activin A
carbon fibre amperometry
Chromaffin Cells
Catecholamines
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ
Additional Notes Rapid Communications

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection
School of Biomedical Sciences Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 4 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations
Scopus Citation Count Cited 4 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 44 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Tue, 13 Jan 2009, 15:54:59 EST by Ms Karen Naughton on behalf of School of Biomedical Sciences