title: Fine structure of the secretion granules in the mandibular gland of the echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata).
abstract: The cells of the secretory tubules in the mandibular gland of the echidna are packed with fairly large birefringent granules, which show a lamellated structure consisting of alternating thin and thick layers or shells of protein. This presumably rigid substructure collapses during exocytosis and the shells unravel as sheets that form a tangled mass in the lumen of the secretory tubule. Relatively pure fractions were obtained of the relevant granules and protein sheets, which should allow a further study to be made on the secretory proteins in this gland.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008334:Mandible; D009007:Monotremata / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D004442:Tachyglossidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D002217:Carbachol