Gastrin-producing endocrine cells: a novel source of histamine in the rat stomach

Endocrinology. 1998 Oct;139(10):4404-15. doi: 10.1210/endo.139.10.6232.

Abstract

Gastrin and histamine both potently stimulate secretion of acid into the gastric lumen. How these agents interact and how their release is controlled is poorly understood. Therefore, we decided to look for histamine in the antral portion of the rat stomach where the gastrin-producing G cells are located. We used immunocytochemical methods to visualize histamine, histidine decarboxylase (HDC, the enzyme that converts histidine to histamine), and the type 1 vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT1, the protein responsible for moving histamine into vesicles for storage and release). We were surprised to find that histamine, HDC, and VMAT1 were all present in G cells. Our results suggest that G cells synthesize and secrete gastrin and histamine. Whether histamine acts in concert with gastrin to stimulate acid secretion, or functions as an autocrine inhibitor of gastrin release remains to be seen.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dopa Decarboxylase / metabolism
  • Gastric Mucosa / metabolism*
  • Gastrins / biosynthesis*
  • Histamine / analysis
  • Histamine / biosynthesis*
  • Histidine Decarboxylase / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Neuropeptides*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins

Substances

  • Gastrins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Slc18a1 protein, rat
  • Vesicular Biogenic Amine Transport Proteins
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
  • Histamine
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Dopa Decarboxylase
  • Histidine Decarboxylase