Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin
Leu-enkephalin is an endogenous opioid peptide neurotransmitter with the amino acid sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu that is found naturally in the brains of many animals, including humans. Lazarus LH, Ling N, Guillemin R (June 1976). "beta-Lipotropin as a prohormone for the morphinomimetic peptides endorphins and enkephalins". Proceedings of the National Academy of
Enkephalins
Structure of Met-enkephalin, image generated with w:UCSF Chimera. The first structure of the ensemble in w:PDB ID 1plx is shown, with alpha-carbons shown as balls and labeled by amino acid residue. Atoms are color-coded by element and hydrogens have been
Olfactory tubercle (OT) aka tuberculum olfactorium
Approximate location of the olfactory tubercle (in red) within the brain Other related structures in pink Thalamus in blue The olfactory tubercle (OT), also known as the tuberculum olfactorium, is a multi-sensory processing center that is contained within the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum and plays a role in reward cognition.
Nucleus accumbens aka accumbens nucleus
Approximate location of the nucleus accumbens (in red) within the brain Other related structures in pink Thalamus in blue The nucleus accumbens (NAc or NAcc; also known as the accumbens nucleus, or formerly as the nucleus accumbens septi, Latin for "nucleus adjacent to the septum") is a region in the basal forebrain rostral to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Carlson NR
“Ye therefore, who seek in science a means to satisfy your passions, pause in this fatal way: you will find nothing but madness or death.”
This is the meaning of the vulgar tradition that the devil ends sooner or later by strangling sorcerers. Eliphas Levi, Transcendental Magic Also
The pineal gland as an APUD organ
It is only in recent years that the pineal gland has emerged from being thought of as non-functional and unimportant. The rise from obscurity has been the result of the interest of investigators of multidisciplinary origins; such approaches, whilst clearly
Pineal gland notes
The pineal gland, conarium, or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland in the brain of most vertebrates. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles. The shape of the gland resembles a pine cone, which gives it its name. The pineal gland is located in the epithalamus, near the
Cells in the APUD system may include melanocytes
Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural crest-derived cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea), the inner ear, vaginal epithelium, meninges, bones, and heart. Melanin is a dark pigment primarily responsible for skin color. Once synthesized, melanin is contained in special organelles called melanosomes which can be transported to nearby keratinocytes to induce pigmentation. Thus darker
Cells in the APUD system may include Juxtaglomerular cells (JG cells), the renin producing cells in the kidney
Drawing of renal corpuscle showing juxtaglomerular cells, macula densa cells and extraglomerular mesangium. Juxtaglomerular cells (JG cells), also known as juxtaglomerular granular cells are cells in the kidney that synthesize, store, and secrete the enzyme renin. Kopp, Ulla C. (2011). "Neural Control of Renin Secretion Rate". Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
Carotid body glomus cells mediate essential reflex responses to arterial blood hypoxia
The carotid body is not labelled but is located within the wall of the internal carotid artery near the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. Glomus type I cells are the chemoreceptor cells found in the carotid body. Glomus cells are the
The adrenal medulla is the principal site of the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into the catecholamines; epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
The adrenal medulla (Latin: medulla glandulae suprarenalis) is part of the adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland, being surrounded by the adrenal cortex. It is the innermost part of the adrenal gland, consisting of chromaffin cells that secrete catecholamines, including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and a small amount of dopamine,
The chief cells of the parathyroid glands sense the amount of calcium in the blood, and release the calcium-increasing hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH) accordingly
Histology of the parathyroid gland, showing oxyphil and chief cells. There is a pink-red blood vessel near the center. HE stain. Parathyroid chief cells (also called parathyroid principal cells or simply parathyroid cells) are one of the two cell types of the parathyroid glands, along
Parafollicular cells aka C cells secrete calcitonin and several neuroendocrine peptides
Parafollicular cells, also called C cells, are neuroendocrine cells in the thyroid. The primary function of these cells is to secrete calcitonin. They are located adjacent to the thyroid follicles and reside in the connective tissue. These cells are large and have a pale stain
Adenohypophysis regulates several physiological processes, including stress, growth, reproduction, and lactation
A major organ of the endocrine system, the anterior pituitary (also called the adenohypophysis or pars anterior) is the glandular, anterior lobe that together with the posterior lobe (posterior pituitary, or the neurohypophysis) makes up the pituitary gland (hypophysis). The anterior pituitary regulates several physiological processes, including stress, growth, reproduction, and lactation. Proper functioning of the anterior pituitary and of the
Enterohepatic circulation
Enterohepatic circulation refers to the circulation of biliary acids, bilirubin, drugs or other substances from the liver to the bile, followed by entry into the small intestine, absorption by the enterocyte and transport back to the liver. Enterohepatic circulation is an especially important concept in the field of toxicology as many lipophilic xenobiotics undergo
APUD cells (DNES cells)
Actions of the major digestive hormones secreted by APUD cells APUD cells (DNES cells) constitute a group of apparently unrelated endocrine cells, which were named by the scientist A.G.E. Pearse, who developed the APUD concept in the 1960s based on calcitonin-secreting parafollicular C cells of dog thyroid. Boyd,