Biomaterial Database

Gap junctional coupling modulates secretion of exocrine pancreas. 1987

P Meda, and R Bruzzone, and M Chanson, and D Bosco, and L Orci

Dispersed pancreatic acini were studied to assess the function of junctional coupling between adult secretory cells. Nonstimulated control cells were extensively coupled to their neighbors throughout each acinus. Addition of heptanol caused their uncoupling and increased their basal amylase release. Neurotensin, secretin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulated amylase secretion without uncoupling acinar cells. Heptanol rapidly and markedly uncoupled the neurotensin-, secretin-, and VIP-stimulated acinar cells and increased their amylase secretion in an additive manner. By contrast, the secretory response to carbamoylcholine (carbachol), a secretagogue that, alone, uncoupled acinar cells, was not affected by heptanol. Basal as well as neurotensin-, secretin-, and VIP-stimulated output returned to the lower control values following removal of heptanol and recovery of normal coupling. The data provide evidence that blockage of gap junctional coupling increases the basal secretion of exocrine pancreas as well as the response of the gland to a variety of secretagogues.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007365	Intercellular Junctions	Direct contact of a cell with a neighboring cell. Most such junctions are too small to be resolved by light microscopy, but they can be visualized by conventional or freeze-fracture electron microscopy, both of which show that the interacting CELL MEMBRANE and often the underlying CYTOPLASM and the intervening EXTRACELLULAR SPACE are highly specialized in these regions. (From Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2d ed, p792)	Cell Junctions,Cell Junction,Intercellular Junction,Junction, Cell,Junction, Intercellular,Junctions, Cell,Junctions, Intercellular
D009496	Neurotensin	A biologically active tridecapeptide isolated from the hypothalamus. It has been shown to induce hypotension in the rat, to stimulate contraction of guinea pig ileum and rat uterus, and to cause relaxation of rat duodenum. There is also evidence that it acts as both a peripheral and a central nervous system neurotransmitter.
D010179	Pancreas	A nodular organ in the ABDOMEN that contains a mixture of ENDOCRINE GLANDS and EXOCRINE GLANDS. The small endocrine portion consists of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (EXOCRINE PANCREAS) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the DUODENUM.
D002217	Carbachol	A slowly hydrolyzed CHOLINERGIC AGONIST that acts at both MUSCARINIC RECEPTORS and NICOTINIC RECEPTORS.	Carbamylcholine,Carbacholine,Carbamann,Carbamoylcholine,Carbastat,Carbocholine,Carboptic,Doryl,Isopto Carbachol,Jestryl,Miostat,Carbachol, Isopto
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D005089	Exocytosis	Cellular release of material within membrane-limited vesicles by fusion of the vesicles with the CELL MEMBRANE.
D000438	Alcohols	Alkyl compounds containing a hydroxyl group. They are classified according to relation of the carbon atom: primary alcohols, R-CH2OH; secondary alcohols, R2-CHOH; tertiary alcohols, R3-COH. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
D000681	Amylases	A group of amylolytic enzymes that cleave starch, glycogen, and related alpha-1,4-glucans. (Stedman, 25th ed) EC 3.2.1.-.	Diastase,Amylase
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012633	Secretin	A peptide hormone of about 27 amino acids from the duodenal mucosa that activates pancreatic secretion and lowers the blood sugar level. (USAN and the USP Dictionary of Drug Names, 1994, p597)	Secrepan,Secretin Citrate, Pig,Secretin Maleate, Pig,Secretin Pentacetate, Pig,Secretin Sulfate, Pig,Secretin, Pig,Secretin-KABI,Pig Secretin,Pig Secretin Citrate,Pig Secretin Maleate,Pig Secretin Pentacetate,Pig Secretin Sulfate,Secretin KABI,SecretinKABI