Release of NPY-like immunoreactive material from primary cultures of chromaffin cells prepared from bovine adrenal medulla.

In primary cultures of bovine chromaffin cells, the cell contents of NPY immunoreactive material was found to be stable for about 4 days. When these cells were transferred to the Locke's solution from the culture medium, NPY immunoreactive material was released spontaneously. Addition of potassium (45 mM) resulted in a 3-fold increase in the rate of NPY release in a calcium dependent fashion. NPY immunoreactivity in chromaffin cells is composed of NPY, a lesser immunoreactive peptide and two very minor immunoreactivities. The same immunoreactive peptides were released by 45 mM potassium.