Definition
The endocrine system refers to the cells and tissue that release hormones into the blood. Unlike synaptic chemical communication, which is localized to the target cell, endocrine communication is global. The hormones act on other endocrine glands such as the adrenal gland, ovaries, testes, and others, as well as on the heart, kidneys, muscle, and the brain. Mathematical modeling has been used to understand network interactions mediated by the endocrine system, as well as the effects of hormones on single cells.
Detailed Description
Background
Like neurons, many endocrine cells are electrically excitable and release hormones through Ca2+-mediated exocytosis (Stojilkovic et al. 2010). These have been the focus of mathematical modeling and computer simulation to better understand the mechanisms through which the cells operate. Several endocrine cell types are involved in diseases with substantial morbidity and mortality, making them an important target for model-assisted...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References
Bertram R, Satin L, Zhang M, Smolen P, Sherman A (2004) Calcium and glycolysis mediate multiple bursting modes in pancreatic islets. Biophys J 87:3074–3087
Bertram R, Egli M, Toporikova N, Freeman ME (2006) A mathematical model for the mating-induced prolactin rhythm of female rats. Am J Physiol 290:E573–E582
Bertram R, Satin LS, Pedersen MG, Luciani DS, Sherman A (2007a) Interaction of glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in metabolic oscillations of pancreatic islets. Biophys J 92:1544–1555
Bertram R, Sherman A, Satin LS (2007b) Metabolic and electrical oscillations: partners in controlling pulsatile insulin secretion. Am J Physiol 293:E890–E900
Chay TR, Keizer J (1983) Minimal model for membrane oscillations in the pancreatic β-cell. Biophys J 42:181–190
Sherman A (2010) Lessons from models of pancreatic β cells for engineering glucose-sensing cells. Math Biosci 227:12–19
Stojilkovic SS, Tabak J, Bertram R (2010) Ion channels and signaling in the pituitary gland. Endocr Rev 31:845–915
Stravreva DA, Wiench M, John S, Conway-Campbell BL, McKenna MA, Pooley JR, Johnson TA, Voss TC, Lightman SL, Hager GL (2009) Ultradian hormone stimulation induces glucocorticoid receptor-mediated pulses of gene transcription. Nat Cell Biol 11:1093–1102
Walker JJ, Terry JR, Lightman SL (2010) Origin of ultradian pulsatility in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Proc R Soc B 277:1627–1633
Windle RJ, Wood SA, Shanks N, Lightman SL, Ingram CD (1998) Ultradian rhythm of basal corticosterone release in the female rat: dynamic interaction with the response to acute stress. Endocrinology 139:443–450
Further Reading
Freeman ME, Kanyicska B, Lerant A, Nagy G (2000) Prolactin: structure, function, and regulation of secretion. Physiol Rev 80:1523–1631
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Bertram, R. (2014). Endocrine Cell Function and Dysfunction. In: Jaeger, D., Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_747-6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_747-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7320-6
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences