Summary
Renin, prorenin and cathepsin B were localized in human lactotrophs using immunoelectron microscopic techniques. Renin and prorenin were found in numerous cytoplasmic granules. Cathepsin B, a lysosomal enzyme known to be able to activate prorenin into renin, was also present in cytoplasmic granules of lactotrophs. The co-localization of renin and prolactin in the same secretory granules was demonstrated by double immunolabelling. Renin and cathepsin B were co-localized in some granules by the same technique. These results suggest a local activation of renin in the secretory granules of lactotrophs and support the hypothesis of a possible autocrine action of the renin-angiotensin system on prolactin release.
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Saint-André, J.P., Rohmer, V., Pinet, F. et al. Renin and cathepsin B in human pituitary lactotroph cells. Histochemistry 91, 291–297 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00493003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00493003