Address for correspondence: Dr. W.J. Curry, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Science, Queen's University, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA, N. Ireland. Voice: +44-028-9026-3226; fax: +44-028-9026-3368.
j.w.curry{at}qub.ac.uk
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 971: 311-316 (2002).
The neuropeptide WE-14 is derived from the posttranslational
processing of chromogranin A (CgA). While CgA is expressed in
a preponderance of neuroendocrine cells, WE-14 is generated
in a distinct subpopulation of CgA-immunopositive cells, most
notably in the adrenal, pituitary, and parathyroid glands. Physiological
and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that CgA is cleaved
to generate WE-14 in the adrenal chromaffin cell population
and in the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells of the oxyntic
mucosa. Pathological analyses of neuroendocrine tumors have
revealed a heterogeneous pattern of WE-14 immunostaining, with
variable concentrations quantified and chromatographically resolved
in tissue extracts. Phylogenetic surveys have demonstrated that
WE-14 exhibits an ancient lineage, while ontogenetic examination
has shown that it is generated at an early stage during fetal
development. Putative WE-14 receptor binding sites have been
identified in several tissues; however, the physiological role
of WE-14 remains enigmatic.
