Glutamatergic phenotype of hypothalamic neurosecretory systems: a novel aspect of central neuroendocrine regulation.

While three decades ago, the co-existence of classical neurotransmitters and peptide neuromodulators in a single neuronal cell was considered to be rather exceptional, the phenomenon that neurons have a complex transmitter phenotype now appears to be the general rule. Parvicellular and magnocellular neurosecretory systems consist of neuronal cells which are specialized in secreting peptide neurohormones into the blood-stream to regulate hypophyseal functions. This mini-review, dedicated to the memory of Mariann Fodor, summarizes the current knowledge about the classical neurotransmitter content of different hypothalamic neurosecretory systems, with a special focus on the occurrence and putative functions of glutamate in parvicellular and magnocellular neurosecretory cells.