EndoNet: an information resource about endocrine networks
Anatolij Potapov1, Ines Liebich, Jürgen Dönitz
1Department of Bioinformatics, University of Göttingen/Medical School, Goldschmidtstrasse 1, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany. anatolij.potapov@bioinf.med.uni-goettingen.de
Nucleic Acids Research
|December 31, 2005
Summary
EndoNet is a novel database detailing endocrine networks and cell-to-cell communication. It aids in analyzing human intercellular regulatory pathways, offering a comprehensive resource for endocrine research.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bioinformatics
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Endocrine networks are crucial for intercellular communication.
- Analyzing these complex regulatory pathways requires integrated data resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce EndoNet, a new database for endocrine network components and relations.
- To facilitate the analysis of human intercellular regulatory pathways.
Main Methods:
- Developed a data model representing hormones and target cells in a bipartite directed graph.
- Integrated the CYTOMER ontology for defining cell types, tissues, and organs.
- Created a user interface for querying hormones, receptors, and tissues, enabling network reconstruction and visualization.
Main Results:
- EndoNet provides detailed characteristics for each entity.
- Showcase result sets of well-established endocrine pathways are available.
- The database supports complex queries and network visualization.
Conclusions:
- EndoNet serves as a valuable resource for studying endocrine cell-to-cell communication.
- It enables comprehensive analysis and visualization of intercellular regulatory pathways.
- The database is accessible online for researchers.
Related Concept Videos
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Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
00:46What is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system sends hormones—chemical signals—through the bloodstream to target cells—the cells the hormones selectively affect. These signals are produced in endocrine cells, secreted into the extracellular fluid, and then diffuse into the blood. Eventually, they diffuse out of the blood and bind to target cells which have specialized receptors to recognize the hormones.
01:33Hormonal Regulation
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
01:45Endocrine Signaling
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
01:10An Overview of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system, a complex network of glands, orchestrates physiological balance within the body through the production and secretion of hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers in intercellular communication, acting as conduits between the secretory cells and distant target sites. They traverse the circulatory system by being released into the extracellular fluid, and their impact is specific to cells possessing receptors for a particular hormone.
The endocrine system collaborates...
The endocrine system collaborates...
00:59Structures of the Endocrine System
The intricate framework of the endocrine system encompasses a diverse array of glands, with their target tissues and organs strategically distributed throughout the body. Central to this network are the endocrine glands, specialized structures that lack ducts and release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid. Notably, the hypothalamus, a vital neuroendocrine organ situated in the brain, governs neural functions and serves as a potent source of hormonal regulation. Near the hypothalamus...