0000000000770837
AUTHOR
Ursula Egner
Chromogranin A in the Mammalian Merkel Cell: Cellular and Subcellular Distribution
Chromogranin-A (CGA), which accounts for more than half the soluble matrix protein in secretory granules of various neuroendocrine cells, has a wide spectrum of potential biological roles and is considered an important marker of the diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES). Light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry of mammalian skin revealed that Merkel cells are exclusively CGA-immunoreactive (ir) and that the immunoreaction is localized in the secretory granules. This finding supports the classification of the Merkel cell as a member of the DNES. The CGA immunoreactivity was restricted to Merkel cells of pigs and humans. In human embryonic skin, CGA was expressed in Merkel cells as …
Electron microscopic immunogold cytochemistry reveals chromogranin A confined to secretory granules of porcine Merkel cells
By ultrastructural immunohistochemistry using the immunogold technique, immunoreactive (ir) Chromogranin A (CGA) was found to be confined to the secretory vesicles of porcine Merkel cells. CGA was present predominantly in the periphery of the electron-dense core and on the clear halo. These findings indicate that CGA is a regular constituent of Merkel cell secretory granules but probably not exclusively responsible for their electron opacity.