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[Phylogeny and evolution of hormone systems].

M Feix1, M Hoch

  • 1Institut für Zoophysiologie der Universität Bonn, Entwicklungsbiologie, Germany. mfeix@uni-bonn.de

Anasthesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin, Schmerztherapie : AINS
|October 31, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Hormones evolved from primitive chemical signals used by unicellular organisms. Modern research reveals diverse tissues, not just glands, utilize these ancient signaling pathways for cell communication and development.

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative endocrinology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Cell signaling

Context:

  • Classical hormone definition involves endocrine/neurosecretory cells and bloodstream transport.
  • Emerging research indicates broader roles for chemical signaling.
  • Pheromones in unicellular organisms may represent ancestral signaling molecules.

Purpose:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins of hormones and cell communication.
  • To investigate the role of pheromones as primitive bioregulatory molecules.
  • To understand the conserved and non-conserved functions of hormonal systems.

Summary:

  • Hormones, traditionally defined by endocrine secretion, may have evolved from primitive exocrine pheromones used in unicellular communication.
  • Pheromones and their receptors appear to be foundational elements for metazoan cell communication systems.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Neurosecretory cells in simple organisms like Cnidarians may be precursors to complex neurohormonal systems.
  • Modern studies reveal non-traditional sources like the heart and adipose tissue (e.g., leptin) participate in chemical communication.
  • Comparative endocrinology highlights conserved signaling networks across species and developmental processes (ontogenesis).

    • Impact:

    • Provides evolutionary context for current understanding of endocrine systems.
    • Suggests a unified view of chemical signaling across different life forms.
    • Highlights the importance of studying diverse organisms to understand fundamental biological processes.
    • Underscores the plasticity of hormonal functions throughout evolution.