Physiological, pathophysiological and clinical significance of chromogranins/secretogranins

This paper investigates the fundamental knowledge, build-up, as well as essential structural and important features of the big family of chromogranins/secretogranins. Previously the different properties and the slightly diverging funcional relations of the two family members were in focus. Later on, it has been discovered that they are essentially two similar compounds with identical structures and functions, and they are chemically, biochemically related. From details discovered so far we can tell that they are long polypeptid chains formed from amino acids. Based on insights gained until now we can also state that these compounds are formed in Ca++ containing environments with acidic pH. Among the compounds there are several molecules which have characteristic oligosacharid groups. This is especially interesting because oligosacharid chains with sialic acid in terminal position play an important role in the recognising and connectional processes. The chromogranins/secretogranins are mostly formed in neuroendocrine cells, but are also capable of building up in any cell type in the organism during pathological processes. Intracellular biogenesis takes place in the dense endoplasmatic reticulum across the mitochondrium, developing biogenetic granulums, followed by the stimulus-motivated secretum (exocytosis). The next stage of the molecular development is the specific break-up of the long polypeptid chains into shorter fragments. These fragments have individual effects. Some important clinical (diagnostic, prognostic) significance and connections are also touched upon in this paper, however, the cardiovascular, immunological systems and the tumors are mostly in focus. There are more immunological, cardio-vascular and tumoral data. It is stated that as these molecules are in close connection with all of the organisms and systems of the body, a new chief organisator system has been identified. This chief organisator is closely connected with the central nervous system.