Zinc Deficiency, Carbonic Anhydrase, and Photosynthesis in Leaves of Spinach

We investigated the effects of zinc deficiency on carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in the tongue epithelium and submandibular gland in rats. Male 4-week-old SD rats were given free access to a diet containing 2.2 (zinc-deficient), 4.1 (low-zinc), or 33.7 (zinc-sufficient) mg zinc/kg diet for 6 weeks. Rats in the fourth group (receiving 33.7 mg zinc/kg) were pair-fed against the zinc-deficient rats. Biochemical analysis at the end of the experimental period indicated that zinc deficiency significantly reduced CA activity in the tongue epithelium and submandibular gland, and the CA activity levels in these tissues seemed to parallel the dietary zinc levels. By enzyme histochemistry, an intensely positive reaction for CA was observed in the middle and basal regions of the taste buds in the circumvallate papilla in the zinc-sufficient and pair-fed (control) rats. The cells in von Ebner’s glands also showed a strong positive reaction in control rats, although only a weak reaction product was found in zinc-deficient rats. These results suggest that CA activity is affected by the dietary content of zinc, which is considered to be an indispensable factor for the maintenance of normal taste sensation.

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Effects of zinc deficiency on developmental changes in alkaline phosphatase and carbonic anhydrase activities in the submandibular gland of the rat

Archives of Oral Biology ◽

10.1016/0003-9969(83)90009-2 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 28 (7) ◽

pp. 609-615 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

D.W. Gandor ◽

D.J. Fanslow ◽

Julia Meyer

Keyword(s):

Alkaline Phosphatase ◽

Carbonic Anhydrase ◽

Submandibular Gland ◽

Zinc Deficiency ◽

Developmental Changes

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Carbonic anhydrase activity as an indicator of zinc deficiency in pecan leaves

Plant and Soil ◽

10.1007/bf02143619 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 287-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

I. Snir

Keyword(s):

Carbonic Anhydrase ◽

Zinc Deficiency ◽

Carbonic Anhydrase Activity

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Silicon Substitution for Calcium in the Shell of the Fingernail Clam, Musculium Transversum Studied By X-Ray Analysis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s1431927600002488 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 560-561

Author(s):

Judith A. Murphy ◽

Anthony Paparo ◽

Richard Sparks

Keyword(s):

Carbonic Anhydrase ◽

River Water ◽

Food Chains ◽

Well Water ◽

Shell Formation ◽

X Ray ◽

Molluscan Shell ◽

Fingernail Clams

Fingernail clams (Muscu1ium transversum) are dominant bottom-dwelling animals in some waters of the midwest U.S. These organisms are key links in food chains leading from nutrients in water and mud to fish and ducks which are utilized by man. In the mid-1950’s, fingernail clams disappeared from a 100-mile section of the Illinois R., a tributary of the Mississippi R. Some factor(s) in the river and/or sediment currently prevent clams from recolonizing areas where they were formerly abundant. Recently, clams developed shell deformities and died without reproducing. The greatest mortality and highest incidence of shell deformities appeared in test chambers containing the highest proportion of river water to well water. The molluscan shell consists of CaCO3, and the tissue concerned in its secretion is the mantle. The source of the carbonate is probably from metabolic CO2 and the maintenance of ionized Ca concentration in the mantle is controlled by carbonic anhydrase. The Ca is stored in extracellular concentric spherical granules(0.6-5.5μm) which represent a large amount of inertCa in the mantle. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of raw river water and well water on shell formation in the fingernail clam.

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