title: Prostaglandin effects in the neuroendocrine mammalian brain.
abstract: Various prostaglandins (PGs) have been found in several areas of the brain. PGs of the E series have been found in the pituitary and pineal glands and the median eminence, and they have been shown to influence hypothalamic endocrine-release characteristics and release of melatonin from the pineal gland. It has been suggested that they may act, along with membrane phospholipids, as a link between neuronal depolarization, calcium uptake and neurotransmitter release. They may also influence postsynaptic effects of neurotransmitters. These latter effects may be due to interaction with membrane phospholipid- and cyclic nucleotide-induced changes of specific protein kinases. The PGs may act as intracellular mediators of neuro-endocrine control.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Taljaard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010743:Phospholipids; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D009638:Norepinephrine