Versuch zu einer allgemeinen Theorie der chemisch-elektrischen Informationsübertragung im tierischen Organismus

3. Teil

Abstract

In the chapters 4, 6 and 7 (part I and II) it has been pointed out that the stable amino acid code is used for the longtime storage of information, thus enabling learning processes.
The amino acid code seems to be the universal code for the internal information transfer in the organism. The translation into the electrical code is probably possible at any cell membrane. Most membranes have identical electric characteristics, based on a very similar structure. Information transfer from the amino acid code by way of the electrical code is possible intracellularly, transcellularly and transsomatically. The symmetrically built contacts between the cells (five-layer membrane) makes information transfer in both directions possible. The transfer from the nervous system to the organs is, due to the synapses, a one-way-only process.
With unicellular organisms such as protozoae and lower fungi, the membranes and the ciliae can function as “nerve receptors”. The development of the abilities in microorganisms to perform new synthesis can be considered as a learning process.
In multicellular organisms the stimuli from the outside are picked up by special nerve receptors, reinforced and conducted to the different organs. There is a constant flow of information in every organ from the synaptic nerve contact transcellularly through the organ right to its periphery. According to our hypothesis this flow of information, going in one direction only, is of great importance in the cancerogenesis.
From many biological experiments it must be concluded that the nervous system is of great importance in regeneration processes. It also is shown that in the embryonic development, information proteins probably play an important role.
Chapter 11 deals with the application of the theory of chemical-electrical information transfer to medical problems. This theory leads to a new universal concept of carcinogenesis. The repeated uptake of exogenic stimuli via nerve receptors creates generator potentials which are reinforced to action potentials, which finally go to the organ cells by way of the neurons, causing the synthesis of foreign proteins. The proteins and enzymes typical for certain organs would thus be partly replaced by these modified proteins. Some of the normal enzymatic activities might be impaired. The high synthesis rate typical for cancer cells calls for additional energy. Thus, by a learning process of the cells, glycolysis becomes predominant as an energy source.
The new theory leads to a better understanding of many facts which so far have been difficult to understand, for exmple: the initiation of cancer by so many different exogenic and endogenic factors, the summation effect, the long latent intervals and the higher frequency of cancer in old age.
A tentative classification of what is called “information diseases” is given and finally some important problems of biology and of biochemistry are compiled to which our theory could be applied and where an experimental approach seems promising. Structural and functional protein chemistry will have to play a leading role.