Evolution of stress hormones and proteins in relation to developmental origins of health and disease

Abstract

The mini-review is presented about the evolution of stress hormones (the components of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis) and stress proteins (heat shock proteins and others), as related to the concept of developmental origins of health and disease. The data on somatic growth retardation by glucocorticoids as mediators and targets of programming / imprinting phenomena are discussed in evolutionary aspect. Finally, two theoretical constructs are briefly introduced, the onto-and phylopatogenic model, with the last one having some perspectives of elaboration, as referred to biological evolution.

Environmental Pollution: Considerations from the Onto and Phylopathogenic Models

“…endocrine disruptors in the invertebrate species like nematodes, since they do not possess receptors and biosynthetic enzymes for steroid hormones (estrogens etc.) of vertebrate species, including those of mammals and humans [9].…”

Translational and some other aspects of DOHaD concept: a polemic overview related to endocrinology and public health

“…In any case, the invertebrate species don't possess the enzymes of biosynthesis and receptors for GC 12 that are considered as principal candidates for hormonal mediators and targets of programming/ imprinting phenomena. 13 Probably, in at least some species of invertebrates the central components of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis are involved in such phenomena, together with interleukins and other cytokines.…”