The cytochemical localization of adenyl cyclase activity in rat sublingual gland

Cytochemical localization of adenyl cyclase in isoproterenol stimulated hepatoma ascites cells

Although adenyl cyclase (AC) has been reported for many mammalian cell types its presence in transformed cells is controversial since AC activity is present in some tumors but absent in others. Thus Chang hepatoma ascites cells were investigated to determine if AC could be localized cytochemically in this cell type. Using a variation of the method of Reik et al. (1970), AC was localized at the surface of the bile canaliculi and intercellular spaces of frozen liver sections of a normal rat. By contrast AC could be localized on the surface of hepatoma ascites cells only after preincubation treatment of unfixed cells with isoproterenol. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed when untreated ascites cells or cells incubated in AC media without the substrate were free of any reaction product. The results of this study indicate that AC activity is present in hepatoma ascites cells but that it can only be demonstrated after isoproterenol stimulation.

Effects of parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic drugs on the secretion and composition of rat sublingual saliva

The sublingual glands of adult, male rats secreted considerable volumes of saliva in response to several cholinergic agonists, but very little in response to α-adrenergic stimuli and none in response to a β-adrenergic agonist. The types of proteins secreted were quite different from those in submandibular and parotid saliva or serum, and were largely independent of the nature of the stimulus. However, some differences in staining intensity of electrophoretic patterns occurred both between stimuli and with the same stimulus used on different rats.

Ultracytochemical localisation and comparison of adenyl cyclase activities in pineal bodies of Wistar rats and Mongolian gerbils

In the pineal bodies of Wistar rats and mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculati) the main concentration of adenyl cyclase was found in capillary endothelial cells, their basal laminae, pericapillary amorphous material and in nerve endings. In the intercellular clefts between the rat pineal cells there was no adenyl cyclase activity, but a considerable amount of this enzyme was detected in the gerbils. The adenyl cyclase lacks completely in the pinealocyte cytoplasms of both species. It was concluded that the gerbil pineal cells may be more reactive to various hormonal influence than those of the rat.

Electron microscopic cytochemical demonstration of adenyl cyclase activity in psoriatic epidermis

Isoproterenol and sodium fluoride stimulated adenyl cyclase activity was detected in epidermal tissue from 2 patients with untreated psoriasis by an electron microscopic cytochemical technique. Adenyl cyclase activity was present on the outer surface of the cell membranes, predominantly in the basal cells and in the 4-5 lower Malpighian cell layers, while the superficial layers, stratum granulosum and stratum corneum showed no activity. The precipitates (lead-PPi complexes) after isoproterenol stimulation were larger and fewer in number than those seen after sodium fluoride stimulation. Isoproterenol stimulation was abolished by propranolol. Neither the uninvolved epidermis from the 2 patients with psoriasis nor the normal skin from 2 volunteer individuals showed any difference from the psoriatic epidermis.

Cytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase activity in the theca folliculi of the mouse Graafian follicle

The adenylate cyclase activity in the theca folliculi of the mouse Graafian follicle was investigated using the electron microscopic cytochemistry. Deposits of reaction product are recognized on the plasma membrane of the fibroblast, theca cell and transitional cell from the fibroblast-like cell to the theca cell (partially or incompletely differentiated theca cell) after incubation with adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) as an effective substrate for adenylate cyclase. This fact indicates that these cells have the receptor on the plasma membrane, and the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system is important for the steroid secretion or the collagen fiber production. It is difficult to clarify by this method the relationship between the adenylate cyclase activity and the functional differentiation of the theca cell.

Ultrastructure of the cat sublingual gland

The sublingual gland of the cat consists primarily of branched secretory tubules that open into an abbreviated duct system. The simple epithelium that composes the secretory tubules consists of an admixture of mucous and serous cells, with the former predominating. Some secretory tubules are capped by a serous demilune. Regardless of position, almost all serous cells have prominent basal folds and border on at least one intercellular canaliculus as well as on the tubule lumen. Serous cells possess an extensive array of irregular, distended cisternae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum that frequently contain dense intracisternal granules. Serous granules are relatively few in number and rarely show evidence of substructure. Mucous cells, which lack basal folds, contain an apical mass of secretory material in the form of partially fused droplets. The duct system is somewhat less ordered than in most major salivary glands; secretory tubules empty into structures resembling intercalated ducts or may be in direct continuity with ducts intermediate in morphology between intercalated and excretory ducts. The absence of striated ducts noted in this study may be correlated with the high sodium content of cat sublingual saliva. The main excretory duct of the sublingual gland closely resembles that of the cat submandibular gland in terms of morphology, but exhibits little of the transport functions reported in the latter duct.