Chromogranin A (CGA) and the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell.

Abstract

Chromogranins are acidic proteins confined to secretory granules in neuroendocrine cells (Huttner et al 1991). They seem to have an important role in granule formation (Parmer et al 1993) and to be precursors for biological active peptides (Tatemoto et al 1986). Since chromogranins are localized to neuroendocrine cells (Schmid et al 1989), they may be used as markers for hyperplasia and neoplasia originating from these cells. Moreover, chromogranins are released together with different active hormones/mediators and may be detected in blood by sensitive immunoassay methods (O'Connor et al 1989, Syversen et al 1994).