APUD cells

APUD cells
cells that share the metabolic property of amine-precursor uptake and decarboxylation. They have a wide distribution, especially in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, and are able to form a large variety of peptide hormonal substances; they are often known as the diffuse endocrine system.

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amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells: a diffuse group of cells, many originating in the neural crest, that share certain cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics and are found scattered throughout the body; types include melanocytes, the cells of the chromaffin system, and cells in the hypothalamus, hypophysis, thyroid, parathyroids, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. They concentrate the amino acid precursors of certain amines and decarboxylate them, forming amines that function as regulators and neurotransmitters. They produce substances such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, enkephalin, somatostatin, neurotensin, and substance P, the actions of which may affect contiguous cells, nearby groups of cells, or distant cells, thus functioning as local or systemic hormones. See also basal granular c's.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • APUD cells — cells that share the metabolic property of amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation. They have a wide distribution, especially in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, and are able to form a large variety of peptide hormonal… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • APUD cells — Acronym for amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells: paracrine cells of which argentaffin cells are an example. Usage neither helpful nor memorable …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • APUD — Proposed designation for a group of cells in different organs secreting polypeptide hormones or neurotransmitters. Cells in this group have certain biochemical characteristics in common, the first letters of which form the name: they contain… …   Medical dictionary

  • chromaffin cells — 1. a type of APUD cells that stain readily with chromium salts, their cytoplasmic granules taking on a characteristic brown color; they are found especially in cells of the adrenal medulla and in paraganglia of the coccygeal gland and carotid… …   Medical dictionary

  • argentaffin cells — So called because they will form cytoplasmic deposits of metallic silver from silver salts. Their characteristic histochemical behaviour arises from 5 HT (serotonin), which they secrete. Found chiefly in the epithelium of the gastrointestinal… …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • enteroendocrine cells — a group of APUD cells, which may be divided into a number of populations on the basis of polypeptide hormone and biogenic amine production, found scattered throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium, mainly at the base of the epithelium; their… …   Medical dictionary

  • amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells — APUD c s …   Medical dictionary

  • Ductal cells — refer to cells lining the pancreatic duct and are responsible for production of bicarbonate rich secretion. Ductal cells are stimulated by the hormone secretin and are responsible for maintenance of the duodenal pH and prevention of duodenal… …   Wikipedia

  • Enteroendocrine cells — are specialized endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract. They produce hormones such as serotonin [UIUCHistologySubject|321] , somatostatin, motilin, cholecystokinin, gastric inhibitory peptide, neurotensin, vasoactive intestinal peptide,… …   Wikipedia

  • Sistema APUD — Acción de las principales hormonas digestivas secretadas por las células APUD. El sistema APUD es un sistema hormonal paralelo al sistema endocrino común, que se caracteriza por conformarse a partir de epitelios, ya que la producción hormonal de… …   Wikipedia Español

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