Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
12:28
Imaging Plasma Membrane Deformations With pTIRFM
Published on: April 2, 2014
Isolation of chromaffin granules
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Current Protocols in Cell Biology
|September 21, 2010
Summary
This study details two methods for isolating adrenal medullary chromaffin granules, essential for studying exocytosis. The protocols yield purified granules and membranes for further protein and component analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Adrenal medullary chromaffin granules are dense core secretory vesicles.
- They serve as a model for studying exocytosis proteins and membrane components.
- Bovine adrenal medullae provide an abundant and accessible source for these granules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present two protocols for the isolation of chromaffin granules.
- To enable the study of proteins and membrane components involved in exocytosis.
- To provide highly purified granules and granule membranes.
Main Methods:
- Differential centrifugation in an iso-osmotic medium for intact granule isolation.
- Sedimentation through a density step gradient for higher purity granule isolation.
- Isolation of granule membranes or contents after density gradient purification.
Main Results:
- A basic protocol yields intact chromaffin granules.
- An alternate protocol provides a greater yield of more highly purified chromaffin granules.
- The alternate protocol is optimal for obtaining granule membranes or contents.
Conclusions:
- Two effective protocols for chromaffin granule isolation are presented.
- These methods facilitate research into exocytosis mechanisms.
- The density gradient method is superior for obtaining purified granule components.
