Gap junctions in rat sublingual gland.
Gap junctions were observed in rat sublingual gland to link serous cells to serous cells, mucous cells to mucous cells, and myoepithelial cells to myoepithelial cells. In addition to connecting homologous cells, gap junctions were present between conterminous serous and mucous cells. Since the rat sublingual gland is innervated solely by parasympathetic nerves, the presence of gap junctions between disparate secretory cell types raises the possibility that serous and mucous cells in this organ secrete simultaneously in response to parasympathetic stimulation.
D000818:Animals; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*