The Pineal Organ, Its Hormone Melatonin, and the Photoneuroendocrine System / Edition 1

by Werner Korf, Christof Schomerus, Jörg H. Stehle

Overview

Provides comprehensive, updated information on the structure, and cell and molecular biology of the vertebrate pineal organ, which is the source of the "timing hormone" melatonin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540641353
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	07/01/1998
Series:	Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology , #146
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	102
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

About the Author

Korf, H.W. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe Univ); Schomerus, C. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe Univ); Stehle, J.H. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe Univ)

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 2 Phylogenetic Development and Gross Anatomy of the Pineal Complex.- 3 Pineal Cell Biology and Innervation.- 3.1 General Aspects.- 3.2 Cell Biology of True Pineal Photoreceptors, Modified Pineal Photoreceptors, and Pinealocytes of the Mammalian Type.- 3.3 Central Innervation of the Pineal Organ.- 3.4 Sympathetic (Noradrenergic) Innervation of the Pineal.- 3.5 Parasympathetic Innervation of the Pineal Organ.- 3.6 Peptidergic Innervation of the Pineal Organ.- 4 Receptor Mechanisms and Second Messenger Systems Involved in the Regulation of the Melatonin Biosynthesis.- 4.1 General Aspects.- 4.2 Anamniotes.- 4.3 Birds.- 4.4 Mammals.- 5 Pineal Transcription Factors and Their Possible Roles for the Regulation of the Melatonin Biosynthesis.- 6 Action, Targets, and Receptors of Melatonin.- 7 Summary.- References.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: John A. McNulty, PhD (Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: The pineal gland and its hormone, melatonin, have received considerable attention recently for their sedative and other actions. In that regard, this book is timely and provides a concise review of the comparative morphology and function of this photoneuroendocrine organ.
Purpose: The authors succeed admirably in leading the reader from the morpho-functional evolutionary changes in the pineal gland through chapters on the innervation and receptor-mediated transduction of melatonin synthesis to a discussion of pineal transcription factors, ending with a chapter on the actions, targets, and receptors of melatonin.
Audience: This book is part of the series Advances in Anatomy, Embryology, and Cell Biology, which publishes critical articles covering special fields. Accordingly, any student of the pineal gland will find parts or all of this review useful to their studies.
Features: This review strikes a nice balance between the classic literature and the most recent research developments through 1997. Those subjects that are covered most extensively deal with the innervation of the gland, receptors, and mechanisms of transduction. A number of previously unpublished photographs are also included.
Assessment: The overall high quality of this book is consistent with the seminal contributions of the authors to the field. I highly recommend it to any pinealogist interested in a helpful compilation of the research advances in the selected topics.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

The pineal gland and its hormone, melatonin, have received considerable attention recently for their sedative and other actions. In that regard, this book is timely and provides a concise review of the comparative morphology and function of this photoneuroendocrine organ. The authors succeed admirably in leading the reader from the morpho-functional evolutionary changes in the pineal gland through chapters on the innervation and receptor-mediated transduction of melatonin synthesis to a discussion of pineal transcription factors, ending with a chapter on the actions, targets, and receptors of melatonin. This book is part of the series Advances in Anatomy, Embryology, and Cell Biology, which publishes critical articles covering special fields. Accordingly, any student of the pineal gland will find parts or all of this review useful to their studies. This review strikes a nice balance between the classic literature and the most recent research developments through 1997. Those subjects that are covered most extensively deal with the innervation of the gland, receptors, and mechanisms of transduction. A number of previously unpublished photographs are also included. The overall high quality of this book is consistent with the seminal contributions of the authors to the field. I highly recommend it to any pinealogist interested in a helpful compilation of the research advances in the selected topics.

John A. McNulty