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

(1)肽信号分子的大规模筛选：根据我们的肽项目，阐明了以下思路。(i)肽分子除了具有众所周知的神经信号传递功能外，还具有发育功能，如形态发生和细胞分化。(ii)肽分子是除了定位于神经细胞中的神经肽之外的定位于上皮细胞中的上皮肽。(2)使用神经肽抗体的水螅神经系统的化学解剖：我们产生了针对所有结构被鉴定的肽的抗体。利用这些抗体，我们对水螅进行了化学解剖，并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：我们确定了控制神经分化的肽分子。Hym355是激活神经分化的神经肽。LPW肽是抑制神经分化的上皮肽。(4)作为生物测定系统的神经细胞培养系统。我们尝试建立神经细胞的细胞培养体系。如果它将被建立，它将被用作生物测定系统，以筛选神经活性物质或活性物质对神经系统的影响。目前的情况是单个神经元的短期培养是成功的。

(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.