Expression of the noradrenaline transporter and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase in normal human adrenal gland and phaeochromocytoma.

摘要: Expression of the noradrenaline transporter (NAT) was examined in normal human adrenal medulla and phaeochromocytoma by using immunohistochemistry confocal microscopy. The enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) were used as catecholamine biosynthetic markers chromogranin A (CGA) a marker for secretory granules. Catecholamine content measured high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In (n=5), all chromaffin cells demonstrated strong TH, PNMT NAT immunoreactivity. co-localized with located within cytoplasm punctate appearance. Human phaeochromocytomas TH expression (n=20 samples tested) but variable (n=24). immunoreactivity ranged from absent (n=3) to weak (n=10) (n=11) and, some cases, occupied an apparent nuclear location. Unlike seen medullary tissue, not consistently PNMT. also showed highly that poorly correlated tumour adrenaline content. Immunoreactivity CGA colocalized (n=4). This co-localization consistent (n=7). altered pattern both indicates significant disruption regulation possibly function these proteins tumours.