The calcium-sensing protein synaptotagmin 7 is expressed on different endosomal compartments in endocrine, neuroendocrine cells or neurons but not on large dense core vesicles.

Synaptotagmin (syt) isoforms function as calcium sensor in post-Golgi transport although the precise transport step and compartment(s) concerned are still not fully resolved. As syt7 has been proposed to operate in lysosomal exocytosis and in exocytosis of large dense core vesicles (LDCVs), we have addressed the distribution of endogenous syt7 in insulin-secreting cells. These cells express different syt7 isoforms comparable to neurons. According to subcellular fractionation and quantitative confocal immunocytochemistry, syt7 is not found on LDCVs or on synaptic-like microvesicles but colocalizes with Rab7 on endosomes and to structures near to or at the plasma membrane. Similarly, endogenous syt7 was absent from LDCVs in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. In contrast, syt7 localised to lysosomes in both, PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons. In conclusion, endogenous syt7 shows a wider distribution than previously reported but does not qualify as vesicular calcium sensor in SLMV or LDCV exocytosis according to its localisation.