Hormonology: A kaleidoscopic tale of dedication, serendipity, and ingenuity

Abstract

This article delves into stories of hormone discovery, characterization, clinical application, and the scientists themselves. Our journey begins with Arnold Berthod’s rooster castration experiments, laying the groundwork for understanding testosterone, and Ernest Starling’s 1902 revelation that secretin wasn’t neuron-released. We’ll explore the origins of kisspeptin and its role in Gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulsatile secretion by KNDY neurons. Discussions will then include the isolation of Growth hormone-releasing hormone from pancreatic tumors and growth hormone therapy’s surprising link to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. We’ll also delve into the design of long-acting follicle stimulating hormone for infertility treatment, alongside discoveries of five inhibin and activin hormones. Further, we’ll uncover the discovery of receptors for relaxin family ligands and diverse chemokines, highlighting scientists’ use of evolutionary genomics. We’ll touch on parabiotic animal experiments leading to leptin’s discovery and polarized ligand-receptor expression for receptor activation. The narrative will include instances such as a Nobel laureate who presented a rejection letter received prior to their award ceremony and a researcher pursuing receptor structure despite funding setbacks, both eventually rewarded. Through the diligent efforts of researchers and unexpected discoveries, the mechanisms of more than a hundred hormones have been elucidated. The endocrinological research domain is currently embracing the application of artificial intelligence to analyze extensive genomic and protein structure databases.