Possible role of "prenervous" neurotransmitters in cellular interactions of early embryogenesis: a hypothesis.
Evidence is presented in support of the working hypothesis that "prenervous" neurotransmitters directly participate in cell-cell interactions occurring during the first several cleavage divisions of sea urchin embryos, a function which may occur during the early development of higher animals as well. This intercellular signaling could be a link in the evolutionary progression from the use of these substances as intracellular regulators to their participation in cell-cell interactions occurring during synaptic transmission.
D000818:Animals; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000196:embryology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000494:pharmacology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014363:Tryptamines; D012701:Serotonin