Histochemical localization of adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities in the folliate papillae of the rabbit I. Light microscopic observations

Abstract

Adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities on the foliate papillae of rabbit were studied by means of histochemistry. In unfixed papillae the reaction product for adenylate cyclase activity was localized in the apex of taste buds, lamina proprio and connective tissue core of the papillae, but in fixed papillae it was limited to the apex of taste buds. The reaction product for cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity was limited to the apex of taste buds in unfixed and fixed papillae. Neither an acceleratory nor an inhibitory effect of sweet and bitter substances on the adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities was demonstrated, but NaCl prevented the formation of reaction product for the adenylate cyclase activity at the apex of taste buds.