Recombinant DNA Technologies in Neuroendocrinology

✍ Scribed by D. Richter (auth.), Hiroo Imura M. D. (eds.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
• Year: 1993
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 221
• Series: Current Topics in Neuroendocrinology 11
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This volume covers new aspects and future directions in molecular neuroendocrinology, an important and rapidly growing area in neuroendocrinology. Among the various neurotransmitters or neuromodulators that play an important role in the control of endocrine functions, neuropeptides and related proteins have drawn special attention because of their diversity and complexity in action. More recently, molecular biology has become an essential tool of research in this area. Various genes encoding neuropeptides and other related pro- teins have been cloned, and the regulation of expression of these genes has been studied extensively. Transgenic animals have been used in studying the function of the gene in que- stion. In-situ hybridization is being applied to localize the site of production and analyze the regulation of pro- duction of peptides or proteins.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-v
Axonal Messenger RNA Transport: Fact or Fiction?....Pages 1-10
Molecular Mechanisms of Regulation of Gene Expression by Glucocorticoids....Pages 11-37
Regulation of Neuropeptide Gene Expression....Pages 39-61
Opioid Peptide Genes: Structure and Regulation....Pages 63-95
Regulation of Gene Expression of Pituitary Hormones by Hypophysiotropic Hormones....Pages 97-143
Use of Transgenic Animals in the Study of Neuropeptide Genes....Pages 145-167
Molecular Alterations in Nerve Cells: Direct Manipulation and Physiological Mediation....Pages 169-191
Electrophysiological Methods for Studying Endocrine Cells and Neuronal Activity from the Hypothalamo-hypophyseal System....Pages 193-222

✦ Subjects

Endocrinology; Neurosciences; Biomedical Engineering