Common Cytochemical and Ultrastructural Characteristics of Cells Producing Polypeptide Hormones (the APUD Series) and their Relevance to Thyroid and Ultimobranchial C Cells and Calcitonin

Five principal cytochemical characteristics, and a number of ultrastructural features, are shared by cells whose common property is the synthesis and secretion of polypeptide hormones. The three cytochemical characteristics common to all eight cell types are described by the letters APUD (amine and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 1968-05, Vol.170 (1018), p.71-80
Main Author: Pearse, A. G. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acinar cells
Amines
Animals
APUD cells
Calcitonin
Dogs
Endocrine cells
Epithelial cells
Guinea Pigs
Histocytochemistry
Hormones - metabolism
Islets of Langerhans
Islets of Langerhans - cytology
Microscopy, Electron
Parathyroid Glands - cytology
Peptide hormones
Pituitary Gland - cytology
Rats
Secretion
Stem cells
Stomach
Stomach - cytology
Swine
Thyroid Gland - cytology
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Summary:Five principal cytochemical characteristics, and a number of ultrastructural features, are shared by cells whose common property is the synthesis and secretion of polypeptide hormones. The three cytochemical characteristics common to all eight cell types are described by the letters APUD (amine and precursor uptake and decarboxylation), and the cells are considered to belong to the APUD series. All of the cells are situated in the intestinal tract or in glands or tissues which are derivatives of the primitive digestive tube. Those with a known polypeptide hormone product include pituitary corticotrophs and melanotrophs, and the pancreatic islet $\alpha _{2}$ and $\beta $ cells. Evidence is presented to show that the thyroid and ultimobranchial C cells, with their product calcitonin, fall in the same category. It is suggested that the remaining cells in the APUD series (pancreatic islet $\alpha _{1}$ cells, intestinal enterochromaffin cells, gastric and other argyrophil cells) are likely to have, as their primary function, the synthesis and secretion of polypeptides. These may be known polypeptide hormones or principles as yet undiscovered.
ISSN:0962-8452
0080-4649
0950-1193
1471-2954
2053-9193
DOI:10.1098/rspb.1968.0025