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The granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cell of rodent submandibular glands
Author(s) -
Gresik Edward W.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1070270102
Subject(s) - convoluted tubule , proteases , submandibular gland , biology , rodent , kallikrein , salivary gland , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , pathology , endocrinology , medicine , kidney , biochemistry , enzyme , ecology
The granular convoluted tubule (GCT) is a segment of the duct system of all rodents, situated between the striated and intercalated ducts. It has the peculiar property of synthesizing a large variety of biologically active polypeptides whose role in saliva remains unknown. The literature on the fine structure of GCT cells is critically reviewed. Some recent developments on endocrine regulation of the structure and contents of rodent GCT cells are summarized, with emphasis on EGF, NGF, renin, and kallikrein proteases. A survey of the distribution of GCT cells in several vertebrate families is presented. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.