Secretoneurin: a functional neuropeptide in health and disease

Chromogranins belong to an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that serve as neuropeptide pro-proteins, besides having other functions. The se cretoeranin-II-derived peptide secretoneurin is a 33-amino-acid polypeptide generated by proteolytic cleavage at paired dibasic sequences that exerts its effect by binding to specific receptors. Secretoneurin receptors have b een kinetically and functionally characterized indicating that they an G-pr otein linked. Localization of secretoneurin and functional studies have hel ped to elucidate roles for secretoneurin, ranging from effects in the centr al nervous system to the modulation of the inflammatory response in the per iphery. It has been shown that secretoneurin possesses biologic activities such as stimulation of dopamine release from striatal neurons and activatio n of monocyte migration, suggesting that the peptide may modulate both neur otransmission and inflammatory response. With an array of actions as divers e as that seen with other sensory neuropeptides, there is scope for numerou s studies and therapeutic possibilities. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.