Metabolism of Phosphatido-Peptide and Phospholipid in the Supersensitive Submaxillary Gland of the Cat, in vivo

EARLIER work by Emmelin and Muren 1,2 has shown that section of the parasympathetic nerve supply to the submaxillary glands of cats renders them supersensitive to cholinergic and adrenergic agents producing a greatly enhanced secretion from the supersensitive gland when compared with the normal gland. Hokin and Sherwin 3 have suggested that the turn-over of phosphoryl units in the phospholipid fraction of acetylcholine-stimulated submaxillary gland slices may represent a carrier mechanism functioning in the secretory process. In addition Huggins 4 has shown that there is an increased incorporation of radiophosphorus into the phosphatido-peptide fraction of slices of chicken pancreas when incubated in the presence of acetylcholine. These observations suggest that the increased secretory activity seen in the supersensitive submaxillary glands might be related to increased metabolic activity in the phosphatido-peptide and phospholipid fractions.