Neurosecretion: Secretory Mechanisms

Abstract

The conceptual and experimental origins of neurosecretion are discussed. The discovery of the neurosecretory cell by the Scharrers and Bargmann and their insights that this cell type possessed the characteristics of both endocrine cells and neurons are presented. A fundamental feature of the neurosecretory cell, also referred to as a neuroendocrine cell, is the presence of many large dense core vesicles (neurosecretory vesicles) in its cytoplasm. The role of neurosecretory vesicles in the biosynthesis and secretion of the prototypic neurohormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system is described.