Endocrine control of galactogen synthesis in the albumen gland of the slug, Limax maximus.
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.
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
D000418:Albumins; D005685:Galactans; D014020:Tissue Extracts; C007812:galactogen; D011402:Pronase