Regulatory peptides: Key factors in the control of bodily functions

Abstract

The unexpected and exciting finding of massive quantities of regulatory peptides present in the so called 'diffuse neuroendocrine system' has revolutionised previously held concepts of control of bodily function. The discovery that very potently acting peptides can be produced by and released from both endocrine cells and neural tissue has generated the concept of integrated functions. This massive system of regulatory peptides is present in all tissues of the body, and the total sum of the endocrine cell mass and the autonomic and sensory nerves, though spread among non-neuroendocrine tissue, is far larger than expected. Pure synthetic peptides are also now available and genetic engineering will soon lead to their mass production by bacteria. The current assay and localisation methods are rapid, accurate, and reliable, allowing the easier interpretation of results.