Molecular mechanisms at the nerve net formation in hydra primitive nervous system

(1)大规模筛选多肽信号分子：根据我们的多肽项目，阐明了以下观点：(I)多肽分子除了具有众所周知的神经信号传递功能外，还具有形态发生和细胞分化等发育功能。(Ii)多肽分子是定位于上皮细胞的上皮肽，也是定位于神经细胞的神经肽。(2)利用神经肽抗体对水蛇神经系统的化学解剖：我们针对所有已鉴定结构的多肽产生抗体。利用这些抗体对水龙进行了化学解剖，制作了覆盖全身的详细解剖图。(3)神经网络形成的分子机制：我们鉴定了控制神经分化的多肽分子。Hym355是一种激活神经分化的神经肽。LPW多肽是抑制神经分化的上皮肽。(4)神经细胞培养体系作为生物测定体系。我们试图建立神经细胞的细胞培养体系。如果它将被建立，它将被用作一个生物测定系统来筛选神经活性物质或活性物质对神经系统的影响。目前的情况是短期培养单个神经元的成功。

(1) Large scale screening of peptide signal molecules : According to our peptide project, the following ideas were clarified.(i) Peptide molecules have developmental functions such as morphogenesis and cell differentiation in addition to the well known function, the transmission of neural signals.(ii) Peptide molecules are epithelial peptides localized in epithelial cells in addition to neuropeptides localized in nerve cells.(2) Chemical anatomy of the hydra nervous system using neuropeptide antibodies : We produced antibodies to all peptides which structures were identified. Using these antibodies, we did chemical anatomy of hydra, and the detailed anatomical chart covering the whole body was able to be made.(3) Molecular mechanisms of the nerve net formation : We identified peptide molucules controlling the nerve differentiation. Hym355 is a neuropeptide activating the nerve differentiation. LPW peptides are epithelial peptides inhibiting the nerve differentiation.(4) Nerve cell culture system as a bio-assay system. We tried to establish the cell culture system of nerve cells. If it will be established, it will be used as a bioassay system to screen neuroactive substances or active substances influences on the nervous system. The present situation is a success of short term culture of single neurons.