The use of monoclonal antibodies in the study of the interaction between adrenal medullary cell membranes and chromaffin granules.

Simultaneous incubation of bovine adrenal medullary plasma membranes (PM) with chromaffin granules (CG) resulted in the release of the soluble granular content. The molecular mechanism of this process was studied with several monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised against different plasma membrane components. Specific inhibition of the catecholamine secretion was obtained upon incubation with the monoclonal antibody UIA/NEU/VI B17. The corresponding antigen had an apparent molecular weight of 54000 Dalton. These results suggest a specific recognition between proteins located on the plasma membrane and chromaffin granule membrane, the interaction of which mediates exocytosis.