Abstract
An: 2013, Nr.3, Articol Nr. 5
Title: 
EXPRESSION OF C-FOS PROTO-ONCOGENES IN THE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS
Authors: 
B. Secară - University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Gr.T. Popa” Iasi, Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Department of Anatomy
Roxana Folescu - University of Medicine and Pharmacy“ VictorBabeş”Timişoara, Department of Anatomy
Cristina Galeş, Carmen Lăcrămioara Zamfir - University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Gr.T. Popa” Iasi, Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences, Department of Histology
EXPRESSION OF c-fos PROTO-ONCOGENES IN THE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS (Abstract): The adrenal medulla contains a particular population of cells, chromaffin cells, which are responsible for the catecholamines secretion. In the approach of the adrenal medulla dynamics of evolution and functions, depending on the environmental stimuli, conclusive data of chromaffin cells activation, differentiation and proliferation seems to be essential. Fos-like immunoreactivity is often expressed by adrenal chromaffine cells as a reaction toa large number of stressors. C-fos proto-oncogenes may be associated in the adrenal adaptation to a prolonged new functional demand, when their expressed level becomes rapidly increased; in the absence of a precise stimulation, the adrenal medulla expresses low lwels of c-fos. This sensible change in c-fos adrenal expression evidentiate and reflect any change in chromaffin cells function and status. The switch pointing adrenal reactive versus inactive state can be easily detected with the aid of c-fos, precise marker for the chromaffin cells, due to its rapid time course and the rapid visualization of the products resulted from their expression. As suggested by their characteristics, c-fos can be considered as redoubtable adrenal medulla markers, therefore contributing to a better understanding of catecholamine secretion.
Key words: CHROMAFFIN CELLS, c-fos PROTO-ONCO¬GENES, STRESSOR, SECRETION