Expression of carbonic anhydrase isozymes II and III in developing bovine parotid gland

Development of the glandular epithelium of the bovine parotid gland during ontogenesis

The development of the parotid gland was examined in 36 bovine embryos and foetuses with a crown-rump-length (CRL) from 28 up to 1000 mm by light, transmission electron microscopical and actin-immunohistochemical methods. The anlage of the parotid gland in an embryo with 28 mm CRL can be found at the lateral angle of the primitive oral cavity as a local thickening of the epithelium. During the second month, the differentiation of primary ducts and endbuds starts and a lumen develops in the primary ducts. At the end of the second month a lumen appears in the terminal endbuds. In the immature endpiece cells first secretory granules can be seen from a CRL of 240 mm. In the third month differentiation between intra- and inter-lobular ducts is possible. Immature myoepithelial cells present as a basal layer of flattened cells between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane at the end of the second month. During further development they increase in number, become more flattened and form long cellular processes. At the end of the fourth month isolated actin filament bundles are formed, which were also detected by an antibody against smooth muscle actin. The actin filaments condense continuously until they fill the cell processes completely at the end of foetal development.

Immunohistochemistry of carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA-I, II and III) in canine salivary glands: a distributional and comparative assessment

The immunohistolocalization of carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA-I, II, III) in canine salivary glands was studied using antiserum against CA-I, II, III. In parotid glands, immunostaining intensely localized cytosolic CA-II antiserum throughout the cytoplasm of acinar secretory cells and ductal epithelial cells, especially in the striated duct region. CA-III reactivity in the glands was only seen selectively at the intercalated ductal cells. In contrast, no immunoreaction localized CA-I in the gland. In the submandibular and sublingual glands, CA-I, II, and III were all observed in the ductal segments of the glands, whereas serous demilune appeared devoid of all three cytosolic CA isozymes. In contrast, in zygomatic glands (i.e. dorsal buccal glands) all CA isozymes were observed in both serous demilune and ductal segments. In all of the salivary glands examined, no mucous acinar cells were found to be reactive for any CA.

The metanephros of the quail embryo. Developmental expression of carbonic anhydrase investigated by multiple approaches

The expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the quail metanephros was investigated during embryonic development. The immunohistochemical localisation of the isoenzymes CAII and CAIII was compared with the distribution of enzyme activity visualised by a histochemical cobalt-precipitation procedure. The developmental profile of CA activity was also evaluated by means of a biochemical method. The occurrence of a moderate and diffuse CAII immunostaining from the first developmental appearance of the metanephros anlage testified to an early expression of carbonic anhydrase. This finding is discussed in relation to the involvement of the enzyme in the morphogenetic mechanisms leading to the establishment both of cell polarity and epithelial phenotype. CA expression in the renal sites that are positive in adults proved to be developmentally regulated. In the collecting duct system, enzyme activity could not be identified until the time of hatching. No CA was detected at any stage examined at the sites where, in adults, enzyme occurrence has previously been interpreted as a membrane-associated CA isoform. The differentiating renal tubules displayed no CAIII immunoreactivity. It can be argued that the bulk of the enzyme activity in the embryonic metanephros is due to the cytosolic isoenzyme CAII.