The minor regulated pathway, a rapid component of salivary secretion, may provide docking/fusion sites for granule exocytosis at the apical surface of acinar cells

Rab27a Contributes to Cathepsin S Secretion in Lacrimal Gland Acinar Cells

Altered lacrimal gland (LG) secretion is a feature of autoimmune dacryoadenitis in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Cathepsin S (CTSS) is increased in tears of SS patients, which may contribute to disease. Rab3D and Rab27a/b isoforms are effectors of exocytosis in LG, but Rab27a is poorly studied. To investigate whether Rab27a mediates CTSS secretion, we utilized quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy of LG from SS-model male NOD and control male BALB/c mice, showing that Rab27a-enriched vesicles containing CTSS were increased in NOD mouse LG. Live-cell imaging of cultured lacrimal gland acinar cells (LGAC) transduced with adenovirus encoding wild-type (WT) mCFP-Rab27a revealed carbachol-stimulated fusion and depletion of mCFP-Rab27a-enriched vesicles. LGAC transduced with dominant-negative (DN) mCFP-Rab27a exhibited significantly reduced carbachol-stimulated CTSS secretion by 0.5-fold and β-hexosaminidase by 0.3-fold, relative to stimulated LGAC transduced with WT mCFP-Rab27a. Colocalization of Rab27a and endolysosomal markers (Rab7, Lamp2) with the apical membrane was increased in both stimulated BALB/c and NOD mouse LG, but the extent of colocalization was much greater in NOD mouse LG. Following stimulation, Rab27a colocalization with endolysosomal membranes was decreased. In conclusion, Rab27a participates in CTSS secretion in LGAC though the major regulated pathway, and through a novel endolysosomal pathway that is increased in SS.

Kalirin/Trio Rho GDP/GTP exchange factors regulate proinsulin and insulin secretion

Key features for progression to pancreatic β-cell failure and disease are loss of glucose responsiveness and an increased ratio of secreted proinsulin to insulin. Proinsulin and insulin are stored in secretory granules (SGs) and the fine-tuning of hormone output requires signal mediated recruitment of select SG populations according to intracellular location and age. The GTPase Rac1 coordinates multiple signaling pathways that specify SG release and Rac1 activity is controlled in part by GDP/GTP exchange factors (GEFs). To explore the function of two large multidomain GEFs, Kalirin and Trio in β-cells, we manipulated their Rac1-specific GEF1 domain activity by using small molecule inhibitors and by genetically ablating Kalirin. We examined age related secretory granule behavior employing radiolabeling protocols. Loss of Kalirin/Trio function attenuated radioactive proinsulin release by reducing constitutive-like secretion and exocytosis of 2-hour old granules. At later chase times or at steady state, Kalirin/Trio manipulations decreased glucose stimulated insulin output. Finally, use of a Rac1 FRET biosensor with cultured β-cell lines, demonstrated that Kalirin/Trio GEF1 activity was required for normal rearrangement of Rac1 to the plasma membrane in response to glucose. Rac1 activation can be evoked by both glucose metabolism and signaling through the incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor. GLP-1 addition restored Rac1 localization/activity and insulin secretion in the absence of Kalirin, thereby assigning Kalirin's participation to stimulatory glucose signaling.

Monoubiquitination of syntaxin 3 leads to retrieval from the basolateral plasma membrane and facilitates cargo recruitment to exosomes

Monoubiquitination of Stx3 leads to efficient endocytosis from the basolateral plasma membrane and trafficking into the multivesicular body/exosomal pathway. Stx3 plays a role in cargo recruitment into exosomes. This pathway is exploited by HCMV for virion excretion.

Syntaxin 3 (Stx3), a SNARE protein located and functioning at the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells, is required for epithelial polarity. A fraction of Stx3 is localized to late endosomes/lysosomes, although how it traffics there and its function in these organelles is unknown. Here we report that Stx3 undergoes monoubiquitination in a conserved polybasic domain. Stx3 present at the basolateral—but not the apical—plasma membrane is rapidly endocytosed, targeted to endosomes, internalized into intraluminal vesicles (ILVs), and excreted in exosomes. A nonubiquitinatable mutant of Stx3 (Stx3-5R) fails to enter this pathway and leads to the inability of the apical exosomal cargo protein GPRC5B to enter the ILV/exosomal pathway. This suggests that ubiquitination of Stx3 leads to removal from the basolateral membrane to achieve apical polarity, that Stx3 plays a role in the recruitment of cargo to exosomes, and that the Stx3-5R mutant acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) acquires its membrane in an intracellular compartment and we show that Stx3-5R strongly reduces the number of excreted infectious viral particles. Altogether these results suggest that Stx3 functions in the transport of specific proteins to apical exosomes and that HCMV exploits this pathway for virion excretion.

Rab27A Is Present in Mouse Pancreatic Acinar Cells and Is Required for Digestive Enzyme Secretion

The small G-protein Rab27A has been shown to regulate the intracellular trafficking of secretory granules in various cell types. However, the presence, subcellular localization and functional impact of Rab27A on digestive enzyme secretion by mouse pancreatic acinar cells are poorly understood. Ashen mice, which lack the expression of Rab27A due to a spontaneous mutation, were used to investigate the function of Rab27A in pancreatic acinar cells. Isolated pancreatic acini were prepared from wild-type or ashen mouse pancreas by collagenase digestion, and CCK- or carbachol-induced amylase secretion was measured. Secretion occurring through the major-regulated secretory pathway, which is characterized by zymogen granules secretion, was visualized by Dextran-Texas Red labeling of exocytotic granules. The minor-regulated secretory pathway, which operates through the endosomal/lysosomal pathway, was characterized by luminal cell surface labeling of lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1). Compared to wild-type, expression of Rab27B was slightly increased in ashen mouse acini, while Rab3D and digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, chymotrypsin and elastase) were not affected. Localization of Rab27B, Rab3D and amylase by immunofluorescence was similar in both wild-type and ashen acinar cells. The GTP-bound states of Rab27B and Rab3D in wild-type and ashen mouse acini also remained similar in amount. In contrast, acini from ashen mice showed decreased amylase release induced by CCK- or carbachol. Rab27A deficiency reduced the apical cell surface labeling of LAMP1, but did not affect that of Dextran-Texas Red incorporation into the fusion pockets at luminal surface. These results show that Rab27A is present in mouse pancreatic acinar cells and mainly regulates secretion through the minor-regulated pathway.

The small GTPase Rab33A participates in regulation of amylase release from parotid acinar cells

Amylase is released from exocrine parotid acinar cells via typical exocytosis. Exocytosis of amylase-containing granules occurs through several steps, including formation, maturation, and transport of granules. These steps are thought to be regulated by members of the small GTPase Rab family. We previously demonstrated that Rab27 and its effectors mediate amylase release from parotid acinar cells, but the functional involvement of other Rab proteins in exocrine granule exocytosis remains largely unknown. Here, we studied isoproterenol (IPR)-induced amylase release from parotid acinar cells to investigate the possible involvement of Rab33A, which was recently suggested to regulate exocytosis in hippocampal neurons and PC12 cells. Rab33A was endogenously expressed in parotid acinar cells and present in secretory granules and the Golgi body. Functional ablation of Rab33A with anti-Rab33A antibody or a dominant-negative Rab33A-T50N mutant significantly reduced IPR-induced amylase release. Our results indicated that Rab33A is a novel component of IPR-stimulated amylase secretion from parotid acinar cells.

Vesicle associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8)-mediated zymogen granule exocytosis is dependent on endosomal trafficking via the constitutive-like secretory pathway

Acinar cell zymogen granules (ZG) express 2 isoforms of the vesicle-associated membrane protein family (VAMP2 and -8) thought to regulate exocytosis. Expression of tetanus toxin to cleave VAMP2 in VAMP8 knock-out (-/-) acini confirmed that VAMP2 and -8 are the primary VAMPs for regulated exocytosis, each contributing ∼50% of the response. Analysis of VAMP8(-/-) acini indicated that although stimulated secretion was significantly reduced, a compensatory increase in constitutive secretion maintained total secretion equivalent to wild type (WT). Using a perifusion system to follow secretion over time revealed VAMP2 mediates an early rapid phase peaking and falling within 2-3 min, whereas VAMP8 controls a second prolonged phase that peaks at 4 min and slowly declines over 20 min to support the protracted secretory response. VAMP8(-/-) acini show increased expression of the endosomal proteins Ti-VAMP7 (2-fold) and Rab11a (4-fold) and their redistribution from endosomes to ZGs. Expression of GDP-trapped Rab11a-S25N inhibited secretion exclusively from the VAMP8 but not the VAMP2 pathway. VAMP8(-/-) acini also showed a >90% decrease in the early endosomal proteins Rab5/D52/EEA1, which control anterograde trafficking in the constitutive-like secretory pathway. In WT acini, short term (14-16 h) culture also results in a >90% decrease in Rab5/D52/EEA1 and a complete loss of the VAMP8 pathway, whereas VAMP2-secretion remains intact. Remarkably, rescue of Rab5/D52/EEA1 expression restored the VAMP8 pathway. Expressed D52 shows extensive colocalization with Rab11a and VAMP8 and partially copurifies with ZG fractions. These results indicate that robust trafficking within the constitutive-like secretory pathway is required for VAMP8- but not VAMP2-mediated ZG exocytosis.

Tumor protein D52 controls trafficking of an apical endolysosomal secretory pathway in pancreatic acinar cells

Zymogen granule (ZG) formation in acinar cells involves zymogen cargo sorting from trans-Golgi into immature secretory granules (ISGs). ISG maturation progresses by removal of lysosomal membrane and select content proteins, which enter endosomal intermediates prior to their apical exocytosis. Constitutive and stimulated secretion through this mechanism is termed the constitutive-like and minor-regulated pathways, respectively. However, the molecular components that control membrane trafficking within these endosomal compartments are largely unknown. We show that tumor protein D52 is highly expressed in endosomal compartments following pancreatic acinar cell stimulation and regulates apical exocytosis of an apically directed endolysosomal compartment. Secretion from the endolysosomal compartment was detected by cell-surface antigen labeling of lysosome-associated membrane protein LAMP1, which is absent from ZGs, and had incomplete overlap with surface labeling of synaptotagmin 1, a marker of ZG exocytosis. Although culturing (16-18 h) of isolated acinar cells is accompanied by a loss of secretory responsiveness, the levels of SNARE proteins necessary for ZG exocytosis were preserved. However, levels of endolysosomal proteins D52, EEA1, Rab5, and LAMP1 markedly decreased with culture. When D52 levels were restored by adenoviral delivery, the levels of these regulatory proteins and secretion of both LAMP1 (endolysosomal) and amylase was strongly enhanced. These secretory effects were absent in alanine and aspartate substitutions of serine 136, the major D52 phosphorylation site, and were inhibited by brefeldin A, which does not directly affect the ZG compartment. Our results indicate that D52 directly regulates apical endolysosomal secretion and are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that this pathway indirectly regulates ZG secretion of digestive enzymes.

IP3 receptor type 2 deficiency is associated with a secretory defect in the pancreatic acinar cell and an accumulation of zymogen granules

Acute pancreatitis is a painful, life-threatening disorder of the pancreas whose etiology is often multi-factorial. It is of great importance to understand the interplay between factors that predispose patients to develop the disease. One such factor is an excessive elevation in pancreatic acinar cell Ca²⁺. These aberrant Ca²⁺ elevations are triggered by release of Ca²⁺ from apical Ca²⁺ pools that are gated by the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) types 2 and 3. In this study, we examined the role of IP3R type 2 (IP3R2) using mice deficient in this Ca²⁺ release channel (IP3R2^−/−). Using live acinar cell Ca²⁺ imaging we found that loss of IP3R2 reduced the amplitude of the apical Ca²⁺ signal and caused a delay in its initiation. This was associated with a reduction in carbachol-stimulated amylase release and an accumulation of zymogen granules (ZGs). Specifically, there was a 2-fold increase in the number of ZGs (P<0.05) and an expansion of the ZG pool area within the cell. There was also a 1.6- and 2.6-fold increase in cellular amylase and trypsinogen, respectively. However, the mice did not have evidence of pancreatic injury at baseline, other than an elevated serum amylase level. Further, pancreatitis outcomes using a mild caerulein hyperstimulation model were similar between IP3R2^−/− and wild type mice. In summary, IP3R2 modulates apical acinar cell Ca²⁺ signals and pancreatic enzyme secretion. IP3R-deficient acinar cells accumulate ZGs, but the mice do not succumb to pancreatic damage or worse pancreatitis outcomes.

Morphological evidence that pentagastrin regulates secretion in the human parotid gland

Salivary secretion is principally regulated by autonomic nerves. However, recent evidence from in vivo animal experiments suggests that gastrointestinal peptide hormones can also influence saliva production. The aim of the present study was to define the secretagogue activity of the gastrin-analogue pentagastrin in human salivary glands. For this purpose, parotid tissues were exposed to pentagastrin in vitro. Morphological techniques were used to evaluate modifications to serous acinar cells associated with secretion. Using a variant of the osmium maceration method, high resolution scanning electron microscopy allowed assessment of the morphology of the cytoplasmic aspect of the plasmalemma to demonstrate secretory activity. To quantify responses to pentagastrin, we recorded morphometric data on microvilli, microbuds, and protrusions. Dose-dependent morphological changes were observed, whereas protein concentration increased in the incubate. The use of selective receptor antagonists showed pentagastrin to act principally via cholecystokinin-A receptors. The morphological responses observed following exposure to pentagastrin differed from those elicited following exposure to the pan-muscarinic agonist carbachol. This study provides the first demonstration of a direct secretory action of gastrointestinal peptides on salivary glands in humans.

Urinary exosomes and proteomics

A number of highly abundant proteins in urine have been identified through proteomics approaches, and some have been considered as disease-biomarker candidates. These molecules might be clinically useful in diagnosis of various diseases. However, none has proven to be specifically indicative of perturbations of cellular processes in cells associated with urogenital diseases. Exosomes could be released into urine which flows through the kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra, with a process of filtration and reabsorption. Urinary exosomes have been recently suggested as alternative materials that offer new opportunities to identify useful biomarkers, because these exosomes secreted from epithelial cells lining the urinary track might reflect the cellular processes associated with the pathogenesis of diseases in their donor cells. Proteomic analysis of such urinary exosomes assists the search of urinary biomarkers reflecting pathogenesis of various diseases and also helps understanding the function of urinary exosomes in urinary systems. Thus, it has been recently suggested that urinary exosomes are one of the most valuable targets for biomarker development and to understand pathophysiology of relevant diseases.

Agonists that increase [Ca²⁺](i) halt the movement of acidic cytoplasmic vesicles in MDCK cells

Translocation of vesicles within the cytoplasm is essential to normal cell function. The vesicles are typically transported along the microtubules to their destination. The aim of this study was to characterize the vesicular movement in resting and stimulated renal epithelial cells. MDCK cells loaded with either quinacrine or acridine orange, dyes taken up by acidic vesicles, were observed at 37°C in semiopen perfusion chambers. Time-lapse series were analyzed by Imaris software. Our data revealed vigorous movement of stained vesicles in resting MDCK cells. These movements seem to require intact microtubules because nocodazole leads to a considerable reduction of the vesicular movements. Interestingly, we found that extracellular ATP caused the vesicular movement to cease. This observation was obvious in time lapse. Similarly, other stimuli known to increase the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)) in MDCK cells (increment in the fluid flow rate or arginine vasopressin) also reduced the vesicular movement. These findings were quantified by analysis of single vesicular movement patterns. In this way, ATP was found to reduce the lateral displacement of the total population of vesicles by 40%. Because all these perturbations increase [Ca²⁺](i), we speculated that this increase in [Ca²⁺](i) was responsible for the vesicle arrest. Therefore, we tested the effect of the Ca²⁺ ionophore, ionomycin (1 μM), which in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺ resulted in a considerable and sustained reduction of vesicular movement amounting to a 58% decrease in average lateral vesicular displacement. Our data suggest that vesicles transported on microtubules are paused when subjected to high intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations. This may provide an additional explanation for the cytotoxic effect of high [Ca²⁺](i).

Role for the actomyosin complex in regulated exocytosis revealed by intravital microscopy

The regulation and the dynamics of membrane trafficking events have been studied primarily in in vitro models that often do not fully reflect the functional complexity found in a living multicellular organism. Here we used intravital microscopy in the salivary glands of live rodents to investigate regulated exocytosis, a fundamental process in all of the secretory organs. We found that β-adrenergic stimulation elicits exocytosis of large secretory granules, which gradually collapse with the apical plasma membrane without any evidence of compound exocytosis, as was previously described. Furthermore, we show that the driving force required to complete the collapse of the granules is provided by the recruitment of F-actin and nonmuscle myosin II on the granule membranes that is triggered upon fusion with the plasma membrane. Our results provide information on the machinery controlling regulated secretion and show that intravital microscopy provides unique opportunities to address fundamental questions in cell biology under physiological conditions.

Enhancement of carbachol-induced amylase secretion in parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis

OBJECTIVE

In a previous study we observed that parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis showed an increase in basal amylase release as a result of an increase in cAMP accumulation induced by PGE(2) production. The aim of this work was to study whether this change in amylase release influences the secretory effect of carbachol.

DESIGN

Experimental periodontitis was induced through placing a black thread around the cervix of the two lower first molars. Experiments were done 22 days after ligature induced periodontitis. Amylase release was evaluated in vitro and determined using a colorimetric method which uses starch as substrate.

RESULTS

The effect of carbachol was increased in parotid glands from periodontitis rats. The effect of 10(-6)M carbachol was inhibited by 4-DAMP (10(-6)M), U-73122 (5 × 10(-6)M) and trifluoperazine (5 × 10(-6)M) in both groups. No changes were observed in the binding sites and affinity in parotid membranes from rats with experimental periodontitis. The inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase and the cyclooxygenase induced a right shift of the carbachol concentration-response curve in periodontitis group whilst the opposite effect was observed in control group in the presence of db-cAMP and PGE(2).

CONCLUSIONS

Parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis release more amylase in response to carbachol suggesting an interaction between Ca(2+) and cAMP in the fusion/exocytosis step of secretory vesicles.

Gene delivery in salivary glands: from the bench to the clinic

In vivo gene delivery has long been seen as providing opportunities for the development of novel treatments for disorders refractory to existing therapies. Over the last two decades, salivary glands have proven to be a useful, if somewhat unconventional, target tissue for studying several potential clinical applications of therapeutic gene delivery. Herein, we follow the progress, address some problems and assess the outlook for clinical applications of salivary gland gene delivery. Our experience with these tissues provides a roadmap for the process of moving an idea from the laboratory bench to patients.

Rat parotid gland cell differentiation in three-dimensional culture

The use of polarized salivary gland cell monolayers has contributed to our understanding of salivary gland physiology. However, these cell models are not representative of glandular epithelium in vivo, and, therefore, are not ideal for investigating salivary epithelial functions. The current study has developed a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model for rat Par-C10 parotid gland cells that forms differentiated acinar-like spheres on Matrigel. These 3D Par-C10 acinar-like spheres display characteristics similar to differentiated acini in salivary glands, including cell polarization, tight junction (TJ) formation required to maintain transepithelial potential difference, basolateral expression of aquaporin-3 and Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter-1, and responsiveness to the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol that is decreased by the anion channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid or chloride replacement with gluconate. Incubation of the spheres in the hypertonic medium increased the expression level of the water channel aquaporin-5. Further, the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma induced alterations in TJ integrity in the acinar-like spheres without affecting individual cell viability, suggesting that cytokines may affect salivary gland function by altering TJ integrity. Thus, 3D Par-C10 acinar-like spheres represent a novel in vitro model to study physiological and pathophysiological functions of differentiated acini.

Multigranular exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies in vascular endothelial cells

Regulated exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) is a pivotal mechanism via which vascular endothelial cells initiate repair in response to injury and inflammation. Several pathways have been proposed to enable differential release of bioactive molecules from WPBs under different pathophysiologic conditions. Due to the complexity, many aspects of WPB biogenesis and exocytosis are still poorly understood. Herein, we have investigated the regulated exocytosis of the major WPB constituent, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), which upon its release forms strings of up to several millimeters long that capture circulating platelets and thereby initiate the formation of a haemostatic plug. Using correlative, fluorescence, and electron microscopic imaging techniques, we provide evidence that multigranular exocytosis is an important pathway for VWF release in secretagogue-challenged human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A novel membrane-delimited structure (secretory pod) was identified as the site of WPB coalescence and VWF exocytosis. Clathrin-coated profiles present on the secretory pods suggested remodeling via compensatory membrane retrieval. Small, 30- to 40-nm cytoplasmic vesicles (nanovesicles) mediated the fusion of WPBs with secretory pods. Multigranular exocytosis may facilitate VWF string formation by pooling the content of multiple WPBs. In addition, it may provide a novel mechanism for the differential release of WPB cargo.

Experimental periodontitis induces a cAMP-dependent increase in amylase activity in parotid glands from male rats

It is known that subjects with periodontitis show enhanced amylase concentration in saliva. Our purpose was to analyze the release of amylase in parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis and controls. We present evidence that periodontitis induces an increase in resting amylase activity and release without changes in isoproterenol-induced amylase secretion. Changes in amylase were reverted by the inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase by SQ 22536, the cyclooxygenase type 1 by FR 122047 and by blocking the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor with VIP 6-28. Parotid glands from rats with periodontitis showed an increase in cAMP levels that was also reverted in the presence of SQ 22536, FR 122047 and VIP 6-28. We concluded that both PGE(2) and VIP are produced in parotid glands from rats with periodontitis and, by activating their own receptors in acinar cells, induce cAMP accumulation leading to an increase in amylase basal secretion.

PH-domain-dependent selective transport of p75 by kinesin-3 family motors in non-polarized MDCK cells

A key process during epithelial polarization involves establishment of polarized transport routes from the Golgi to distinct apical and basolateral membrane domains. To do this, the machinery involved in selective trafficking must be regulated during differentiation. Our previous studies showed that KIF5B selectively transports vesicles containing p75-neurotrophin receptors to the apical membrane of polarized, but not non-polarized MDCK cells. To identify the kinesin(s) responsible for p75 trafficking in non-polarized MDCK cells we expressed KIF-specific dominant-negative constructs and assayed for changes in post-Golgi transport of p75 by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy. Overexpression of the tail domains of kinesin-3 family members that contain a C-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, KIF1A or KIF1Bbeta, attenuated the rate of p75 exit from the Golgi in non-polarized MDCK cells but not in polarized cells. Analysis of p75 post-Golgi transport in cells expressing KIF1A or KIF1Bbeta with their PH domains deleted revealed that vesicle transport by these motors depends on the PH domains. Furthermore, purified KIF1A and KIF1Bbeta tails interact with p75 vesicles and these interactions require the PH domain. Knockdown of canine KIF1A also inhibited exit of p75 from the Golgi, and this was rescued by expression of human KIF1A. Together these data demonstrate that post-Golgi transport of p75 in non-polarized epithelial cells is mediated by kinesin-3 family motors in a PH-domain-dependent process.

Redistribution of small GTP-binding protein, Rab27B, in rat parotid acinar cells after stimulation with isoproterenol

Small GTP-binding protein, Rab27, has been implicated in the regulation of different types of membrane trafficking, including melanosome transport in melanocytes and regulated secretion events in a wide variety of secretory cells. We have previously shown that Rab27 is involved in the control of isoproterenol (IPR)-induced amylase release from rat parotid acinar cells. Although Rab27 is predominantly localized on secretory granules under resting conditions, changes to its intracellular localization after beta-stimulation have never been elucidated. The present study investigated IPR-induced redistribution of Rab27B in the parotid acinar cells, revealing translocation from secretory granules to the subapical region after 5 min of IPR treatment and then diffusion into the cytosol after 30 min of IPR treatment. Dissociation of Rab27B from the apical plasma membrane is probably mediated through the Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) in the cytosol extracting GDP-bound Rab protein from membranes, as a dramatic increase in the amount of the Rab27B-GDI complex in the cytosol was observed 30 min after stimulation with IPR. These results indicate that, in parotid acinar cells, Rab27B is translocated, in a time-dependent manner, from secretory granules into the apical plasma membrane as a result of exposure to IPR, and then into the cytosol through binding with the GDI.

Proteomic analysis of human parotid gland exosomes by multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT)

Human ductal saliva contributes over a thousand unique proteins to whole oral fluids. The mechanism by which most of these proteins are secreted by salivary glands remains to be determined. The present study used a mass spectrometry-based, shotgun proteomics approach to explore the possibility that a subset of the proteins found in saliva are derived from exosomes, membrane-bound vesicles of endosomal origin within multivesicular endosomes. Using MudPIT (multidimensional protein identification technology) mass spectrometry, we catalogued 491 proteins in the exosome fraction of human parotid saliva. Many of these proteins were previously observed in ductal saliva from parotid glands (265 proteins). Furthermore, 72 of the proteins in parotid exosomes overlap with those previously identified as urinary exosome proteins, proteins which are also frequently associated with exosomes from other tissues and cell types. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses found that cytosolic proteins comprise the largest category of proteins in parotid exosomes (43%), involved in such processes as phosphatidylinositol signaling system, calcium signaling pathway, inositol metabolism, protein export, and signal transduction, among others; whereas the integral plasma membrane proteins and associated/peripheral plasma membrane proteins (26%) were associated with extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, epithelial cell signaling, T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling, cytokine receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation, among other biological functions. In addition, these putative saliva exosomal proteins were linked to specific diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative disorders, prion disease, cancers, type I and II diabetes). Consequently, parotid glands secrete exosomes that reflect the metabolic and functional status of the gland and may also carry informative protein markers useful in the diagnosis and treatment of systemic diseases.

Redistribution of Rab27-specific effector Slac2-c, but not Slp4-a, after isoproterenol-stimulation in rat parotid acinar cells

Small GTPase Rab27 has been implicated in the regulation of different types of membrane trafficking, including melanosome transport and various regulated secretion events. We have previously shown that Rab27 and its effectors, Slac2-c/MyRIP and Slp4-a/granuphilin-a, are involved in the control of isoproterenol (IPR)-induced amylase release from rat parotid acinar cells. The ability of Rab to interact with the specific effectors is important. However, little is known about the fate of these effectors after beta-adrenergic stimulation in parotid acinar cells. The present study investigated changes in intracellular redistribution of Slac2-c and Slp4-a in parotid acinar cells after IPR treatment. Subcellular fractionation studies detected Slac2-c and Slp4-a in the apical plasma membrane (APM) and secretory granules under resting conditions. After 5min of IPR treatment, Slac2-c was rapidly recruited to the luminal site, but after 30 min, the amount of Slac2-c in the APM fraction was reduced by approximately 80% compared to the increased level after 5 min of IPR treatment. Such reductions in Slac2-c are likely caused by the translocation of Slac2-c from the APM to the cytosol. In addition, we found that Slac2-c in the cytosolic fraction, but not other fractions, disappeared in the presence of Ca(2+). Since Slac2-c contains multiple PEST-like sequences (i.e., potential signals for rapid protein degradation), we suggest that Slac2-c is Ca(2+)-dependently proteolyzed in the cytosol after exocytosis. In contrast, intracellular localization and expression levels of Slp4-a in parotid acinar cells were unaltered even after beta-stimulation, indicating completely different fates for the two Rab27 effectors after beta-stimulation.

Regulated airway goblet cell mucin secretion

Major advances in understanding regulated mucin secretion from airway goblet cells have been made in the past decade in the areas of pharmacology and basic cell biology. For instance, it is now appreciated that nucleotide agonists acting locally through P2Y purinoceptors on apical membranes of surface goblet cells provide the major regulatory system for mucin secretion. Similarly, Clara cells, the primary secretory cell in the mouse airways (and human small airways), are now recognized as major mucin-secreting cells. In Clara cells, the relative lack of staining for mucosubstances reflects essentially equal baseline rates of mucin synthesis and secretion, with little to no accumulation of mucin granules in storage pools. During mucous metaplasia induced under inflammatory conditions, mucin synthesis is massively upregulated in Clara cells, and stored mucin granules come to dominate the secretory cell phenotype. More importantly, we have seen a transition in the past few years from a pharmacological focus on regulated mucin secretion to a more molecular mechanistic focus that has great promise going forward. In part, these advances are occurring through the use of well-differentiated primary human bronchial epithelial cell cultures, but recent work in mouse models perhaps has had the most important impact. Emerging data from Munc13-2- and synaptotagmin 2-deficient mouse models represent the first direct, molecular-level manipulations of proteins involved in regulated secretory cell mucin secretion. These new data indicate that Munc13-2 is responsible for regulating a baseline mucin secretory pathway in the airways and is not essential for purinergic agonist-induced mucin secretion. In contrast, synaptotagmin 2, a fast Ca2+ sensor for the SNARE complex, is essential for regulated secretion. Interestingly, these early results suggest that there are two pathways for excocytic mucin release from goblet cells.

Expression of Rab27B-binding protein Slp1 in pancreatic acinar cells and its involvement in amylase secretion

Slp1 is a putative Rab27 effector protein and implicated in intracellular membrane transport; however, the precise tissue distribution and function of Slp1 protein remain largely unknown. In this study we investigated the tissue distribution of Slp1 in mice and found that Slp1 is abundantly expressed in the pancreas, especially in the apical region of pancreatic acinar cells. Slp1 interacted with Rab27B in vivo and both proteins were co-localized on zymogen granules. Morphological analysis of fasted Slp1 knockout mice showed an increased number of zymogen granules in the pancreatic acinar cells, indicating that Slp1 is part of the machinery of amylase secretion by the exocrine pancreas.

Itinerant exosomes: emerging roles in cell and tissue polarity

Cells use secreted signals (e.g. chemokines and growth factors) and sophisticated vehicles such as argosomes, cytonemes, tunneling nanotubes and exosomes to relay important information to other cells, often over large distances. Exosomes, 30-100-nm intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVB) released upon exocytic fusion of the MVB with the plasma membrane, are increasingly recognized as a novel mode of cell-independent communication. Exosomes have been shown to function in antigen presentation and tumor metastasis, and in transmitting infectious agents. However, little is known about the biogenesis and function of exosomes in polarized cells. In this review, we discuss new evidence suggesting that exosomes participate in the transport of morphogens and RNA, and thus influence cell polarity and developmental patterning of tissues.

Differential regulation of the apical plasma membrane Ca(2+) -ATPase by protein kinase A in parotid acinar cells

Cross-talk between intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) signaling and cAMP defines the specificity of stimulus-response coupling in a variety of cells. Previous studies showed that protein kinase A (PKA) potentiates and phosphorylates the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner in parotid acinar cells (Bruce, J. I. E., Yule, D. I., and Shuttleworth, T. J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 48172-48181). The aim of this study was to further investigate the spatial regulation of [Ca(2+)](i) clearance in parotid acinar cells. Par-C10 cells were used to functionally isolate the apical and basolateral PMCA activity by applying La(3+) to the opposite side to inhibit the PMCA. Activation of PKA (using forskolin) differentially potentiated apical [Ca(2+)](i) clearance in mouse parotid acinar cells and apical PMCA activity in Par-C10 cells. Immunofluorescence of parotid tissue slices revealed that PMCA1 was distributed throughout the plasma membrane, PMCA2 was localized to the basolateral membrane, and PMCA4 was localized to the apical membrane of parotid acinar cells. However, in situ phosphorylation assays demonstrated that PMCA1 was the only isoform phosphorylated by PKA following stimulation. Similarly, immunofluorescence of acutely isolated parotid acinar cells showed that the regulatory subunit of PKA (RIIbeta) translocated to the apical region following stimulation. These data suggest that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of PMCA1 differentially regulates [Ca(2+)](i) clearance in the apical region of parotid acinar cells because of a dynamic translocation of PKA. Such tight spatial regulation of Ca(2+) efflux is likely important for the fine-tuning of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors close to the apical membrane important for the regulation of fluid secretion and exocytosis.

VAMP8/endobrevin as a general vesicular SNARE for regulated exocytosis of the exocrine system

The molecular mechanism governing the regulated secretion of most exocrine tissues remains elusive, although VAMP8/endobrevin has recently been shown to be the major vesicular SNARE (v-SNARE) of zymogen granules of pancreatic exocrine acinar cells. In this article, we have characterized the role of VAMP8 in the entire exocrine system. Immunohistochemical studies showed that VAMP8 is expressed in all examined exocrine tissues such as salivary glands, lacrimal (tear) glands, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, mammary glands, and the prostate. Severe anomalies were observed in the salivary and lacrimal glands of VAMP8-null mice. Mutant salivary glands accumulated amylase and carbonic anhydrase VI. Electron microscopy revealed an accumulation of secretory granules in the acinar cells of mutant parotid and lacrimal glands. Pilocarpine-stimulated secretion of saliva proteins was compromised in the absence of VAMP8. Protein aggregates were observed in mutant lacrimal glands. VAMP8 may interact with syntaxin 4 and SNAP-23. These results suggest that VAMP8 may act as a v-SNARE for regulated secretion of the entire exocrine system.

Pancreatic acinar cells express vesicle-associated membrane protein 2- and 8-specific populations of zymogen granules with distinct and overlapping roles in secretion

Previous studies have demonstrated roles for vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP 2) and VAMP 8 in Ca(2+)-regulated pancreatic acinar cell secretion, however, their coordinated function in the secretory pathway has not been addressed. Here we provide evidence using immunofluorescence microscopy, cell fractionation, and SNARE protein interaction studies that acinar cells contain two distinct populations of zymogen granules (ZGs) expressing either VAMP 2 or VAMP 8. Further, VAMP 8-positive granules also contain the synaptosome-associated protein 29, whereas VAMP 2-expressing granules do not. Analysis of acinar secretion by Texas red-dextran labeling indicated that VAMP 2-positive ZGs mediate the majority of exocytotic events during constitutive secretion and also participate in Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis, whereas VAMP 8-positive ZGs are more largely involved in Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion. Previously undefined functional roles for VAMP and syntaxin isoforms in acinar secretion were established by introducing truncated constructs of these proteins into permeabilized acini. VAMP 2 and VAMP 8 constructs each attenuated Ca(2+)-stimulated exocytosis by 50%, whereas the neuronal VAMP 1 had no effects. In comparison, the plasma membrane SNAREs syntaxin 2 and syntaxin 4 each inhibited basal exocytosis, but only syntaxin 4 significantly inhibited Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion. Syntaxin 3, which is expressed on ZGs, had no effects. Collectively, these data demonstrate that individual acinar cells express VAMP 2- and VAMP 8-specific populations of ZGs that orchestrate the constitutive and Ca(2+)-regulated secretory pathways.

Immunolocalization of E-cadherin and alphaE-catenin in rat parotid acinar cell under chronic stimulation of isoproterenol

E-cadherin and alphaE-catenin were localized in normal and chronically isoproterenol-treated acinar cells of rat parotid gland by means of immunogold labelling of Lowicryl embedded sections. Immunostaining of both experimental groups with polyclonal antibodies to E-cadherin and alphaE-catenin was mainly restricted to the areas of adherens junctions. Surprisingly, in isoproterenol-treated cell alphaE-catenin was also found on the secretory granules periphery and appeared to encircle a secretory vesicle. In isoproterenol-induced cell hyperproliferation, the maintened presence of adherens junctions components, such as E-cadherin and alphaE-catenin molecules, should be an essential prerequisite for tissue integrity. Our data suggest the presence of a correlation between the organization of actin and the localization of alphaE-catenin in the chronically isoproterenol-treated acinar cell of rat parotid gland.

Functional involvement of Noc2, a Rab27 effector, in rat parotid acinar cells

Noc2 has recently been proposed to regulate exocytosis in both endocrine and exocrine cells; however, protein expression, subcellular localization and function of Noc2 in exocrine cells have never been elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether Noc2, a Rab27 effector, is involved in isoproterenol (IPR)-stimulated amylase release from acinar cells. Rab27 was detected in the apical plasma membrane (APM) and secretory granule membrane (SGM) fractions, and was translocated to the APM after IPR stimulation for 5 min, but was detected at lower levels in the APM after 30 min. In contrast, although Noc2 was expressed in SGM bound to Rab27, Noc2 was not translocated to APM and the Noc2/Rab27 complex was disrupted after stimulation with IPR for short time. In addition, the anti-Noc2-Rab-binding-domain antibody inhibited IPR-stimulated amylase release from streptolysin O-permeabilized parotid acinar cells. Our results suggest that the Noc2/Rab27 complex is an important constituent of the early stages of IPR-stimulated amylase release.

Molecular mechanisms of lacrimal acinar secretory vesicle exocytosis

The acinar epithelial cells of the lacrimal gland are responsible for the production, packaging and regulated exocytosis of tear proteins into ocular surface fluid. This review summarizes new findings on the mechanisms of exocytosis in these cells. Participating proteins are discussed within the context of different categories of trafficking effectors including targeting and specificity factors (rabs, SNAREs) and transport factors (microtubules, actin filaments and motor proteins). Recent information describing fundamental changes in basic exocytotic mechanisms in the NOD mouse, an animal model of Sjögren's syndrome, is presented.

Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase Marks an Antigen-Stimulated Recycling Compartment in Mast Cells

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a marker for insulin-sensitive recycling compartments of fat and muscle cells that contain the glucose transporter isoform GLUT4. Unlike GLUT4, IRAP is expressed in many other cell types. Thus, it is a potential marker for regulated recycling compartments that are analogous to GLUT4 vesicles. In bone marrow-derived mast cells, IRAP is highly expressed and localizes to an intracellular compartment different from secretory granules. Using cell-surface biotinylation, we determined that IRAP underwent rapid redistribution to the plasma membrane on antigen/immunoglobulin E (IgE) stimulation and was re-internalized within 30 min. When granule exocytosis was inhibited, by removing extracellular calcium, adding the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, IRAP redistribution was still detected in stimulated cells. However, the redistribution of IRAP required intracellular calcium. By immunofluorescence, IRAP significantly co-localized with the transferrin receptor (TfR), a marker for constitutively recycling endosomes. However, antigen/IgE stimulation did not increase TfR on the cell surface, indicating that IRAP and TfR may follow different pathways to the plasma membrane. In rat peritoneal mast cells, the distributions of IRAP and TfR overlapped to only a limited extent, indicating that overlap may decrease with cell differentiation. We propose that IRAP vesicles represent a second IgE-sensitive exocytotic compartment in mast cells, which is regulated differently from secretory granules, and that these vesicles may be similar to GLUT4 vesicles.

Cellular Localization and Stimulation-Associated Distribution Dynamics of Syntaxin-1 and Syntaxin-3 in Gastric Parietal Cells

Syntaxins are differentially localized in polarized cells and play an important role in vesicle trafficking and membrane fusion. These soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins are believed to be involved in tubulovesicle trafficking and membrane fusion during the secretory cycle of the gastric parietal cell. We examined the cellular localization and distribution of syntaxin-1 and syntaxin-3 in rabbit parietal cells. Fractionation of gastric epithelial cell membranes showed that syntaxin-1 was more abundant in a fraction enriched in apical plasma membranes, whereas syntaxin-3 was found predominantly in the H,K-ATPase-rich tubulovesicle fraction. We also examined the cellular localization of syntaxins in cultured parietal cells. Parietal cells were infected with CFP-syntaxin-1 and CFP-syntaxin-3 adenoviral constructs. Fluorescence microscopy of live and fixed cells demonstrated that syntaxin-1 was primarily on the apical membrane vacuoles of infected cells, but there was also the expression of syntaxin-1 in a subadjacent cytoplasmic compartment. In resting, non-secreting parietal cells, syntaxin-3 was distributed throughout the cytoplasmic compartment; after stimulation, syntaxin-3 translocated to the apical membrane vacuoles, there co-localizing with H,K-ATPase, syntaxin-1 and F-actin. The differential location of these syntaxin isoforms in gastric parietal cells suggests that these proteins may be critical for maintaining membrane compartment identity and that they may play important, but somewhat different, roles in the membrane recruitment processes associated with secretory activation.

Spatiotemporal analysis of exocytosis in mouse parotid acinar cells

Exocrine cells of the digestive system are specialized to secrete protein and fluid in response to neuronal and/or hormonal input. Although morphologically similar, parotid and pancreatic acinar cells exhibit important functional divergence in Ca(2+) signaling properties. To address whether there are fundamental differences in exocytotic release of digestive enzyme from exocrine cells of salivary gland versus pancreas, we applied electrophysiological and optical methods to investigate spatial and temporal characteristics of zymogen-containing secretory granule fusion at the single-acinar cell level by direct or agonist-induced Ca(2+) and cAMP elevation. Temporally resolved membrane capacitance measurements revealed that two apparent phases of exocytosis were induced by Ca(2+) elevation: a rapidly activated initial phase that could not be resolved as individual fusion events and a second phase that was activated after a delay, increased in a staircaselike fashion, was augmented by cAMP elevation, and likely reflected both sequential compound and multivesicular fusion of zymogen-containing granules. Optical measurements of exocytosis with time-differential imaging analysis revealed that zymogen granule fusion was induced after a minimum delay of approximately 200 ms, occurred initially at apical and basolateral borders of acinar cells, and under strong stimulation proceeded from apical pole to deeper regions of the cell interior. Zymogen granule fusions appeared to coordinate subsequent fusions and produced persistent structures that generally lasted several minutes. In addition, parotid gland slices were used to assess secretory dynamics in a more physiological context. Parotid acinar cells were shown to exhibit both similar and divergent properties compared with the better-studied pancreatic acinar cell regarding spatial organization and kinetics of exocytotic fusion of zymogen granules.

Review: The physiology of saliva and transfer of drugs into saliva

Although saliva or oral fluid "lacks the drama of blood, the sincerity of sweat and the emotional appeal of tears", quoting Mandel in 1990 [I.D. Mandel, The diagnostic uses of saliva, J. Oral Pathol. Med. 19 (1990) 119-125], it is now meeting the demand for inexpensive, non-invasive and easy-to-use diagnostic aids for oral and systemic diseases, drug monitoring and detection of illicit use of drugs of abuse, including alcohol. As the salivary secretion is a reflex response controlled by both parasympathetic and sympathetic secretomotor nerves, it can be influenced by several stimuli. Moreover, patients taking medication which influences either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system, or medication which mimic the latter as a side effect, will have an altered salivary composition and salivary volume. Patients suffering from certain systemic diseases may present the same salivary alterations. The circadian rhythm determines both the volume of saliva that will and can be secreted and the salivary electrolyte concentrations. Dietary influences and the patient's age also have an impact on composition and volume of saliva. The latter implies a wide variation in composition both inter- and intra-individually. Sampling must therefore be performed under standardized conditions. The greatest advantage, when compared to blood sample collection, is that saliva is readily accessible and collectible. Consequently, it can be used in clinically difficult situations, such as in children, handicapped and anxious patients, where blood sampling could be a difficult act to perform.

Parotid secretory granules: crossroads of secretory pathways and protein storage

Saliva plays an important role in digestion, host defense, and lubrication. The parotid gland contributes a variety of secretory proteins-including amylase, proline-rich proteins, and parotid secretory protein (PSP)-to these functions. The regulated secretion of salivary proteins ensures the availability of the correct mix of salivary proteins when needed. In addition, the major salivary glands are targets for gene therapy protocols aimed at targeting therapeutic proteins either to the oral cavity or to circulation. To be successful, such protocols must be based on a solid understanding of protein trafficking in salivary gland cells. In this paper, model systems available to study the secretion of salivary proteins are reviewed. Parotid secretory proteins are stored in large dense-core secretory granules that undergo stimulated secretion in response to extracellular stimulation. Secretory proteins that are not stored in large secretory granules are secreted by either the minor regulated secretory pathway, constitutive secretory pathways (apical or basolateral), or the constitutive-like secretory pathway. It is proposed that the maturing secretory granules act as a distribution center for secretory proteins in salivary acinar cells. Protein distribution or sorting is thought to involve their selective retention during secretory granule maturation. Unlike regulated secretory proteins in other cell types, salivary proteins do not exhibit calcium-induced aggregation. Instead, sulfated proteoglycans play a role in the storage of secretory proteins in parotid acinar cells. This work suggests that unique sorting and retention mechanisms are responsible for the distribution of secretory proteins to different secretory pathways from the maturing secretory granules in parotid acinar cells.

Sorting ourselves out: seeking consensus on trafficking in the beta-cell

Biogenesis of the regulated secretory pathway in the pancreatic beta-cell involves packaging of products, notably proinsulin, into immature secretory granules derived from the trans-Golgi network. Proinsulin is converted to insulin and C-peptide as granules mature. Secretory proteins not entering granules are conveyed by transport intermediates directly to the plasma membrane for constitutive secretion. One of the co-authors, Peter Arvan, has proposed that in addition, small vesicles bud from granules to traffic to the endosomal system. From there, some proteins are secreted by a (post-granular) constitutive-like pathway. He argues that retention in granules is facilitated by condensation, rendering soluble products (notably C-peptide and proinsulin) more available for constitutive-like secretion. Thus he argues that prohormone conversion is potentially important in secretory granule biogenesis. The other co-author, Philippe Halban, argues that the post-granular secretory pathway is not of physiological relevance in primary beta-cells, and contests the importance of proinsulin conversion for retention in granules. Both, however, agree that trafficking from granules to endosomes is important, purging granules of unwanted newly synthesized proteins and allowing their traffic to other destinations. In this Traffic Interchange, the two co-authors attempt to reconcile their differences, leading to a common vision of proinsulin trafficking in primary and transformed cells.

Organogenesis of the exocrine gland

Morphogenesis of exocrine glands is a complex stepwise process of epithelial ingrowth, ductal elongation, ductal branching, and alveolar or acinar differentiation. Emerging from an increasing number of mouse gene knockout, dominant-negative, and antisense models is the identification of a remarkable collection of cell adhesion molecules, growth factors, and their receptors whose time-dependent contributions to glandular organogenesis are essential. Many have cryptically overlapping and interdependent but noncompensatory roles. Discoidin domain receptor 1 tyrosine kinase (DDR1) and the ErbB1 receptor of amphiregulin are, for example, required for ductal branching and elongation. Each is in turn dependent on the Wnt family of morphogenic factors for autophosphorylation or transactivation, respectively. Here we review the current cast of exocrine glandular morphogens, as a foundation for a global or systems biology appreciation of the interweaving signaling pathways that underlie mammalian glandular morphogenesis.

Immunolocalization of AQP-5 in rat parotid and submandibular salivary glands after stimulation or inhibition of secretion in vivo

In vitro studies of cultured salivary gland cells and gland slices have indicated that there may be regulated translocation of aquaporin (AQP)-5 between the apical plasma membrane and intracellular compartments of the secretory cells. However, it remains unknown whether AQP-5 in salivary glands is subject to regulated trafficking in vivo. To examine this possibility, we have investigated the subcellular localization of AQP-5 in rat parotid and submandibular glands fixed in vivo under conditions of stimulated or inhibited salivary secretion. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy was used to determine the subcellular distribution of AQP-5 in control conditions following the stimulation of secretion with pilocarpine (a muscarinic agonist) or epinephrine (an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist) or during inhibition of basal secretion with atropine (a muscarinic antagonist) or phentolamine (an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist). Under control conditions, >90% of AQP-5 was associated with the apical plasma membrane of acinar and intercalated duct cells, with only rare gold particles associated with intracellular membrane domains. Pilocarpine treatment dramatically increased saliva production but had no discernible effect on AQP-5 distribution. However, the increased salivary secretion was associated with luminal dilation and the appearance of a markedly punctate AQP-5 labeling pattern due to clustering of AQP-5 at the microvilli (especially evident in the parotid gland) after 10 min of drug injection. No changes in the subcellular localization of AQP-5 were seen in response to epinephrine, atropine, or phentolamine treatment compared with control tissues. Thus AQP-5 is localized predominantly in the apical plasma membrane under control conditions, and neither the onset nor the cessation of secretion is associated in vivo with any significant short-term translocation of AQP-5 between intracellular structures and the apical plasma membrane.

Secretagogue-induced translocation of CRHSP-28 within an early apical endosomal compartment in acinar cells

Ca(2+)-regulated heat-stable protein (CRHSP-28) is a member of the TPD52 protein family that has been shown to regulate Ca(2+)-dependent secretory activity in pancreatic acinar cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy of isolated lobules demonstrated that CRHSP-28 is localized to a supranuclear apical compartment in acini and accumulates immediately below the apical membrane within 2 min of CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) stimulation. Dual-immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated an endosomal localization of CRHSP-28 that strongly overlapped with early endosomal antigen-1 (EEA-1) on vesicular structures throughout the apical cytoplasm but showed only minimal overlap with the transferrin receptor, which is present in basolaterally derived endosomes. Significant overlapping of CRHSP-28 with the trans-Golgi network marker-38 was also noted in supranuclear regions of acini. Interestingly, treatment of lobules with brefeldin A reversibly disrupted the vesicular localization of CRHSP-28 and EEA-1 within the apical cytoplasm. The CCK-8-induced accumulation of CRHSP-28 in subapical regions of acini was not altered by inhibition of apical endocytosis with the actin filament-disrupting agent latrunculin B. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed that CRHSP-28 is associated with the limiting membrane of irregularly shaped vesicular structures of low electron density in the apical cytoplasm that are positive for EEA-1 staining. Sparse, but significant, CRHSP-28 immunoreactivity was also observed along the limiting membrane of zymogen granules. Consistent with immunofluorescence data, CRHSP-28 was found to accumulate in clusters on endosomes and positioned between zymogen granules below the cell apex on CCK-8 stimulation. These data indicate that CRHSP-28 is present within endocytic and exocytic compartments of acinar cells and is acutely regulated by secretagogue stimulation.

The small GTPase Rab27B regulates amylase release from rat parotid acinar cells

Small GTPase Rab is a large family of putative membrane trafficking proteins, and each member is thought to regulate a specific type(s) of membrane trafficking. However, little is known about the involvement of Rab protein(s) in secretory granule exocytosis in exocrine cells or the molecular mechanism underlying this process. We show that Rab27B, a closely related isoform of Rab27A that regulates lysosome-related granule exocytosis in cytotoxic T lymphocytes, is abundantly expressed on amylase-containing secretory granules in rat parotid gland acinar cells. We also identify the putative Rab27B effector protein, Slac2-c (Slp homologue lacking C2 domains-c)/MyRIP, which was originally described as a myosin Va/VIIa and actin binding protein, in rat parotid glands. The results of subcellular fractionation, immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemical studies indicate that the Rab27B-Slac2-c complex is formed on secretory granules in vivo. The introduction of either a specific Rab27 binding domain (i.e. a recombinant Slp homology domain of Slac2-b that specifically binds Rab27A/B but not other Rabs) or functionally blocking antibodies that specifically disrupt Rab27B-Slac2-c complex in vitro strongly inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated amylase release from streptolysin O-permeabilized parotid acinar cells. Our results indicate that the Rab27B-Slac2-c complex is an important constituent of secretory granule exocytosis in parotid acinar cells.

Roles of Munc18-3 in amylase release from rat parotid acinar cells

Several "soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor" (SNARE) proteins have been identified in rat parotid acinar cells, including VAMP-2, syntaxin 4, and SNAP-23. Furthermore, an association between Munc18c (Munc18-3) and syntaxin 4 has been reported. However, the role of Munc18-3 in secretory granule exocytosis on parotid acinar cells remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of Munc18-3 in rat parotid acinar cells. Munc18-3 was localized on the apical plasma membrane where exocytosis occurs and interacted with syntaxin 4. Anti-Munc18-3 antibody dose-dependently decreased isoproterenol (IPR)-induced amylase release from SLO-permeabilized parotid acinar cells. Furthermore, stimulation of the acinar cells with IPR induced translocation of Munc18-3 from the plasma membrane to the cytosol. Munc-18-3 was not phosphorylated by a catalytic subunit of protein kinase (PK) A but phosphorylated by PKC. Treatment of the plasma membrane with PKC but not PKA induced displacement of Munc18-3 from the membrane. The results indicate that Munc18-3 regulates exocytosis in the acinar cells for IPR-induced amylase release and that phosphorylation of Munc18-3 by PKA is not involved in the mechanism.

Intracellular localisation of SNARE proteins in rat parotid acinar cells: SNARE complexes on the apical plasma membrane

Intracellular localisation of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) is an important factor in clarifying whether SNAREs regulate exocytosis in salivary glands. We investigated intracellular localisation of syntaxins 2, 3 and 4 and SNAP-23, which are thought to be target membrane (t)-SNAREs, in rat parotid gland by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Syntaxins 2 and 3 were localised in the apical plasma membrane (APM), and syntaxin 4 was localised in the plasma membrane. SNAP-23 was localised in the APM and intracellular membrane (ICM). In a yeast two-hybrid assay, syntaxins 2, 3 and 4 interacted with SNAP-23 and VAMP-3. Using immunoprecipitation methods, syntaxins 3 and 4 were seen to interact with VAMP-8 and SNAP-23 at the APM, respectively. SNAP-23 interacted with syntaxin 3, syntaxin 4, VAMP-2, VAMP-3 and VAMP-8. Many SNARE complexes were detected under non-stimulated/basic conditions in the parotid APM. Some of these complexes may have a role in exocytosis from parotid acinar cells.

Role of Rab Proteins in Epithelial Membrane Traffic

Small GTPase rab proteins play an important role in various aspects of membrane traffic, including cargo selection, vesicle budding, vesicle motility, tethering, docking, and fusion. Recent data suggest also that rabs, and their divalent effector proteins, organize organelle subdomains and as such may define functional organelle identity. Most rabs are ubiquitously expressed. However, some rabs are preferentially expressed in epithelial cells where they appear intimately associated with the epithelial-specific transcytotic pathway and/or tight junctions. This review discusses the role of rabs in epithelial membrane transport.

Ca2+-dependent protein kinase--a modulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in parotid acinar cells

Cross-talk between cAMP and [Ca(2+)](i) signaling pathways represents a general feature that defines the specificity of stimulus-response coupling in a variety of cell types including parotid acinar cells. We have reported recently that cAMP potentiates Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores, primarily because of a protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (Bruce, J. I. E., Shuttleworth, T. J. S., Giovannucci, D. R., and Yule, D. I. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 1340-1348). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional and molecular mechanism whereby cAMP regulates Ca(2+) clearance pathways in parotid acinar cells. Following an agonist-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) the rate of Ca(2+) clearance, after the removal of the stimulus, was potentiated substantially ( approximately 2-fold) by treatment with forskolin. This effect was prevented completely by inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) with La(3+). PMCA activity, when isolated pharmacologically, was also potentiated ( approximately 2-fold) by forskolin. Ca(2+) uptake into the endoplasmic reticulum of streptolysin-O-permeabilized cells by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase was largely unaffected by treatment with dibutyryl cAMP. Finally, in situ phosphorylation assays demonstrated that PMCA was phosphorylated by treatment with forskolin but only in the presence of carbamylcholine (carbachol). This effect of forskolin was Ca(2+)-dependent, and protein kinase C-independent, as potentiation of PMCA activity and phosphorylation of PMCA by forskolin also occurred when [Ca(2+)](i) was elevated by the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid and was attenuated by pre-incubation with the Ca(2+) chelator, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA). The present study demonstrates that elevated cAMP enhances the rate of Ca(2+) clearance because of a complex modulation of PMCA activity that involves a Ca(2+)-dependent step. Tight regulation of both Ca(2+) release and Ca(2+) efflux may represent a general feature of the mechanism whereby cAMP improves the fidelity and specificity of Ca(2+) signaling.