VAMP8/endobrevin is a critical factor for the homotypic granule growth in pancreatic acinar cells

Cell Tissue Res. 2012 Jun;348(3):485-90. doi: 10.1007/s00441-012-1400-1. Epub 2012 Mar 28.

Abstract

The delivery of newly-formed secretory content to the granule inventory occurs through direct fusion of recently formed granules and mature granules. The introduction of knockout mice allowed us to investigate the characteristics of the delivery process and to determine the core protein machinery required for granule growth. The SNARE machinery mediates membrane fusion and is essential for the granule lifecycle. In the current work, we use VAMP8 knockout mice to show that the SNARE machinery plays a critical role in the process of granule homotypic fusion. Consistent with this, the mutated mouse pancreatic acinar secretory granules are significantly smaller compared to the control group, demonstrating few granule profiles that might be the result of homotypic fusion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinar Cells / cytology
  • Acinar Cells / metabolism*
  • Acinar Cells / ultrastructure
  • Animals
  • Membrane Fusion
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / cytology*
  • R-SNARE Proteins / metabolism*
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure

Substances

  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Vamp8 protein, mouse