Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8M1
Address for correspondence: José-Mariá Trifaró, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1H 8M1. Voice: 613-562-5448; fax: 613-562-5637.
jtrifaro{at}uottawa.ca
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 971: 11-18 (2002).
A large number of molecular biology studies have been performed
on chromaffin cells, and many genes involved in catecholamine
synthesis, storage, and release have been cloned and their function
determined. Catecholamine synthesis takes place in different
cellular compartments, and enzymes involved in this process
are subject to a fine regulation, as demonstrated by recent
studies on their gene promoters. Genes coding for such intravesicular
proteins as chromogranin A, B, and secretogranin II (chromogranin
C) are also regulated in response to a variety of stimuli. Chromogranin
gene promoters and transcription factors involved in their regulation
have been elucidated. This review serves as an introduction
to the studies described in the chapters to follow.
