Glucagon does not affect catecholamine release in primary cultures of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Yehonatan Sharabi*, R. Zimlichman, S. Alesci, T. Huynh, R. Mansouri, J. Chun, S. Perera, K. Pacak, D. S. Goldstein

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

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 (10 6 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)205-208
Number of pages4
JournalHormone and Metabolic Research
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2005

Funding

FundersFunder number
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentZIAHD008735

    Keywords

    • Adrenal medulla
    • Catecholamines
    • Chromaffin cell
    • Glucagon
    • Pheochromocytoma

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Glucagon does not affect catecholamine release in primary cultures of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this