Postnatal development of von Ebner's glands: accumulation of a protein of the lipocalin superfamily in taste papillae of rat tongue

Summary Antibodies produced against rat von Ebner's gland (VEG) protein, a recently characterized member of a lipophilic ligand carrier protein family, detect this protein immunocytochemically in von Ebner's gland acini and show that it is present at high concentrations in the clefts of circumvallate and foliate papillae. During embryonic development, von Ebner's gland anlagen are innervated (as shown immunocytochemically using neuronal specific antibodies) as early as embryonic day 20, before lateral glandular outgrowth and VEG protein can be observed. Expression of the VEG protein as determined by in sity hybridization and immunocytochemistry begins at postnatal day-2 cells in differentiating and branching off from von Ebner's gland ducts, and sharply increases with further enlargement and maturation of the gland. The close temporal correlation of von Ebner's gland innervation and VEG protein expression with papilla innervation and taste-bud development suggests a functional relationship of both structures. VEG protein might control access of lipophilic sapid molecules, such as bitter substances, to the gustatory receptors.     

An investigation into the effect of varied phosphorus and iron concentrations in the nutrient medium on the cation and anion contents of oats

Summary 1. Oat plants (variety ‘Yielder’) were grown in nutrient solution with nine different combinations of phosphorus and iron supply. 2. Appearance of deficiency signs and responses in growth as reflected by fresh and dry weights are recorded. 3. The plants were analysed for mineral content, total nitrogen, protein, amino acids and organic acids. 4. The experiment was duplicated. External phosphorus affected the phosphorus content of the plants but external iron did not affect the iron content. The quantity of minerals and organic compounds in the oats are considered in relation to both medium-concentration and plant-content of phosphorus and iron and the ratio of phosphorus to iron. 5. The interrelationships between ratios of minerals and organic compounds in these oats are compared with those found for other plants.     

The vitamin requirements of Candida shehatae for xylose fermentation

Abstract The vitamin requirements of a strain of Candida shehatae for the fermentation of d -xylose was determined using a statistical procedure with a 2³ factorial design. Biotin as well as thiamine exerted a dramatic stimulatory effect on the rate of ethanol production, coupled with a significant improvement in the ethanol yield. The greatest enhancement of the fermentation was found in the presence of both these vitamins. Pyridoxine exerted only a minor effect, but was essential for complete substrate utilization in the absence of either biotin or thiamine. Only biotin caused a significant increase in the growth rate.