title: Endocrine control of galactogen synthesis in the albumen gland of the slug, Limax maximus.
abstract: An in vitro method for culturing Limax maximus albumen glands is described in which the biosynthetic activity of the slug albumen gland was monitored by measuring the incorporation of [14C]glucose into galactogen. Homogenates of the central nervous system were shown to cause a 3.5- to 12-fold increase in galactogen synthesis in albumen gland explants as compared to controls. The major sources of the galactogen-synthesis stimulating factor (Gal-SF) were found to be the cerebral ganglia and their surrounding connective tissue. Gal-SF was demonstrated to be peptidase sensitive and heat labile suggesting that it is probably a polypeptide. Autoradiographs of semithin araldite sections supported the incorporation data: in albumen gland explants cultured with cerebral ganglion homogenate considerably more label was found over secretory granules than in control-cultured explants. The possible cellular source of Gal-SF is discussed in relation to its possible origin in other investigated pulmonates.
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005685:Galactans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008974:Mollusca / Q000378:metabolism*; D011402:Pronase; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D005685:Galactans; D014020:Tissue Extracts; C007812:galactogen; D011402:Pronase