Functional Morphology of Neuroendocrine Systems: Evolutionary and Environmental Aspects PDF
Preview Functional Morphology of Neuroendocrine Systems: Evolutionary and Environmental Aspects
Functional Morphology of Neuroendocrine Systems Evolutionary and Environmental Aspects Edited by B. Scharrer, H.-W. Korf, and H.-G. Hartwig With 65 Figures Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York London Paris Tokyo Prof. Dr. BERTA SCHARRER Department of Anatomy Albert Einstein College of Medicine 1300 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, New York 10461 USA Priv. Doz. Dr. HORST-WERNER KORF Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology Justus Liebig University Giessen Aulweg 123 D-6300 Giessen Prof. Dr. HANS-GEORG HARTWIG Department of Anatomy II MoorenstraBe 5 D-4000 Dusseldorf 1 ISBN- 13: 978-3-642-72888-4 e-ISBN- 13: 978-3-642-72886-0 DOl: 10.1007/978-3-642-72886-0 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other ways, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is only permitted under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9,1965, in its version of June 24, 1985, and a copyright fee must always be paid. Violations fall under the prosecution act of the German Copyright Law. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1987 Softcoverreprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1987 The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Product liability: The publisher can give no guarantee for information about drug dosage and application thereof contained in this book. In every individual case the respective user must check its accuracy by consulting other pharmaceutical literature. 2125/3130-543210 This volume is based on the contributions to an International Symposium held at the Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology Justus Liebig University in Giessen, FRG July 30-August 1, 1986 Financial support for this symposium is gratefully acknowledged to Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung Hessischer Minister fUr Wissenschaft und Kunst Professor Andreas Oksche VII Preface An international symposium titled "Functional Morphology of Neuroendocrine Systems: Evolutionary and Environmental Aspects" was held on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Professor Andreas Oksche, head of the Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, FRG. This volume containing the texts of the plenary lectures and the abstracts of poster contributions presented at the symposium on July 30-August 1, 1986 in Giessen, reflects the rapid expansion of the field of neuroendocrinology. New insights into the interactions between neurons acting as endocrine cells and conventional neurons have been gained by the use of newly developed neurobiological techniques (e.g., immuno cytochemistry, tracing of neuronal connections by means of anterograde and retrograde axonal transport of identified molec ules, electrophysiological recordings in vivo and in vitro). The findings of the past few years have extended the fundamental concept of neurosecretion introduced by Ernst and Berta Scharrer in close cooperation with Wolfgang Bargmann. An important landmark was the discovery that neurons containing classical neurosecretory products not only project to neurohemal release organs but also establish hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic neuro-neuronal contacts. In some of these neurons monoamine transmitters are known to co-exist with opioid and other neuro peptides. Different types of transmitters may even be co-localized in the same dense core vesicles. The use of extremely sensitive techniques which allow the detection of minute quantities of messenger substances has provided evidence that several of these substances have been well preserved in the course of evolution. Biologically active molecules with quite similar structures and functions have been detected in all classes of animals including unicellular organisms and even in plants and prokaryotic species. Molecules originally defined as neurohormones have been shown to transmit information between neurons, between neurons and closely apposed non-neuronal cells, and among organisms in a more general sense (Section I). The specificity of neurotransmitters and of neuronal projec tions is genetically determined to varying degrees. The final VIII Preface phenotypic expression of individual neurons, however, is influ enced by environmental factors acting upon receptor mechanisms at molecular and cellular levels. In vertebrates the diencephalon plays an important role in adaptive processes because it contains different receptor systems (e.g., receptors for photic, thermic and osmotic signals). These receptor systems are associated with systems of neurons capable of transmitting information about environmental stimuli to neuronal systems which control homeo static functions (Section II). Of the innumerable exteroceptive signals to reach the dience phalon, those originating the retinal and extraretinal photo receptors have been most extensively studied. By generating neuronal and neuroendocrine signals, the diencephalon partic ipates in the synchronization of endogenous rhythms with rhyth mic changes in the natural photoperiod. Since photoneuro endocrine systems show a conspicuous plasticity and ability to adapt to environmental demands, they are valuable models for analyzing the effects of genetic determination on the one hand and of environmental impact on the other. Recent research has shown that neuroendocrine phenomena are not restricted to the central nervous system. We are beginning to better understand the functions of the APUD and paraneuron systems in the periphery (Section III). Modern concepts should take into account that glial cells are also integral components of neuroendocrine systems and may play important roles in adaptive processes. In this context it is worth noting that, seen on the phylogenetic ladder, glial cells show a greater tendency to proliferate than do neurons (Section IV). The ontogeny of the central nervous system is characterized by an overproduction of neurons and their projections. Ontogenetic neuronal development and the differentiation of specific projec tions can be studied experimentally by grafting embryonic brain tissue into brains of adult hosts. Experimentally induced morpho logical and functional deficits in certain neuronal systems can in part by alleviated by such grafting procedures. The ability of the central nervous system to repair and rebuild itself may therefore be greater than hitherto thought (Section V). Through his skillful and sophisticated comparative research Andreas Oksche has profoundly influenced our current com prehension of neuroendocrine systems. It is with gratitude, and in admiration and friendship that we dedicate this volume to Andreas Oksche, outstanding scientist, editor and mentor. New York, Giessen and Dusseldorf BERTA SCHARRER Autumn 1987 HORST-WERNER KORF HANS-GEORG HARTWIG IX Invited Speakers I. ASSENMACHER Laboratory of Endocrinological Neurobiology, Department of Physiology, University of Montpellier II, Montpellier, France A. BJORKLUND Department of Histology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden K.BRUCK Department of Physiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, FRG J.-P. COLLIN Laboratory of Cell Biology, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France E. DODT W. G. Kerckhoff Institute of the Max Planck Society, Bad Nauheim, FRG G. FLEISSNER Zoological Institute, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, FRG T.FuJITA Department of Anatomy, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan H. LEONHARDT Department of Anatomy, University of Kiel, Kiel, FRG A. G. E. PEARSE Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, GB E. M. RODRIGUEZ Department of Histology and Pathology, University of Chile, Valdivia, Chile x Invited Speakers BERTA SCHARRER Departments of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA E. SIMON W. G. Kerckhoff Institute of the Max Planck Society, Bad Nauheim, FRG V. P. WHITTAKER Department of Neurochemistry, Max Plack Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Gottingen, FRG Xl Acknowledgments Our pleasure in working on this book was enhanced by the many people who enthusiastically assisted in the process of editing, typing, and formatting. Three names stand out among those to whom the editors wish to express their deep gratitude: Dr. Kristina Rascher and Mrs. Gerda Klehmet, Diisseldorf, and Dr. Robert Snipes, Giessen. The editors also express their thanks to Springer Verlag for their careful help in the publishing of this volume.
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