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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(4): 205-208
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-861415
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Glucagon does not Affect Catecholamine Release in Primary Cultures of Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Y.  Sharabi1 , R.  Zimlichman2 , S.  Alesci3, 4 , T.  Huynh1 , R.  Mansouri1 , J.  Chun1 , S.  Perera3 , K.  Pacak3 , D.  S.  Goldstein1
  • 1 Clinical Neurocardiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  • 2 Wolfson Medical Center and The Brunner Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Tel Aviv University, Israel
  • 3 Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  • 4 Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received 9 August 2004

Accepted after revision 20 December 2004

Publication Date:
13 June 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: Human pheochromocytoma tumor cells express glucagon receptors, and bolus i. v. glucagon injection rapidly increases plasma epinephrine levels, suggesting that glucagon can directly stimulate adrenomedullary secretion. In this study, we tested whether the catecholamine secretory response to glucagon was present in bovine chromaffin cells or exclusive to the tumor cells. Design and Methods: Adrenomedullary cells were cultured in 24-well plates (106 cells per well). After 48 - 72 hours, wells were incubated for 1 - 20 minutes with (1) incubation medium (control), (2) catecholamine secretagogues (nicotine or potassium ion), or (3) glucagon (10 - 8 to 10 - 5 M). After incubation, catecholamine contents in medium and cells were assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Fractional release rates of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine were calculated and compared to controls. Reverse-transcriptase PCR was performed to compare expression of mRNA of the glucagon receptor in chromaffin cells and pheochromocytoma cells. Results: Nicotine and potassium evoked time-dependent release of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Glucagon did not affect catecholamine secretion at any concentration. Reverse-transcriptase PCR failed to detect mRNA for glucagon receptor in bovine adrenomedullary cells, but did detect it in human pheochromocytoma cells. Conclusions: In contrast to pheochromocytoma tumor cells, bovine adrenomedullary chromaffin cells do not express the glucagon receptor, and therefore do not secrete catecholamines in response to glucagon.

Key words

Adrenal medulla - Glucagon - Catecholamines - Chromaffin cell - Pheochromocytoma

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Dr. Yehonatan Sharabi

Clinical Neurocardiology Section, NINDS · National Institutes of Health

Building 10 Room 6N252 · 10 Center Drive, MSC-1620 · Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1620 · USA

Phone: + 1 (301) 402-2052

Fax: + 1(301) 402-0180

Email: sharabiy@ninds.nih.gov