Synthesis and Secretion of Amylase by Rat Parotid Gland Slices

¹ Biochemistry and Physiology Department, Loyola University School of Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois

Parotid gland slices from rats were incubated in reaction vessels which contained media of known composition. After incubation, the medium around the slices as well as the slices themselves were assayed for amylase. The effects of the drugs atropine and pilocarpine were also studied by including them in the substrate for some of the experiments.

The results of the experiment allow us to draw the following conclusions: (1) Parotid gland slices from rats can synthesize amylase when incubated aerobically in the presence of an amino acid source. (2) The slices can secrete amylase into the surrounding medium. (3) The secretary stimulant, pilocarpine, can increase the in vitro secretion of the gland slices. It also seems to bring about a net increase in amylase synthesis. (4) The secretion depressant drug, atropine, can decrease the secretion of amylase in vitro by gland slices. It also seems to bring about a net decrease in amylase synthesis.