Cutler L S, Schneyer C, Christian C
Arch Oral Biol. 1985;30(4):341-4. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(85)90008-1.
During the development of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) there is a clearly-defined sequence in the maturation of the beta-adrenergic receptor/adenylate cyclase-linked stimulus-secretion coupling system. The sympathetic nervous system does not become functionally linked to the exocrine process in the SMG until approximately six days after birth. The temporal correlation of the ingrowth of catecholamine-containing nerve processes, the appearance of beta-adrenergic receptors and the functional coupling of the stimulus-secretion system suggested the possibility of a cause and effect relationship between the appearance of the catecholamine-containing nerves in the gland and the maturational increase in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors. Chemical sympathectomy in neonates did not effect the time of appearance or the number of beta-adrenergic receptors seen in the developing gland. However, chronic isoproterenol treatment resulted in accelerated maturation of the gland with a concomitant premature appearance of the beta-receptors. These data suggest that the increase in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors which normally occurs in the developing gland at 5-6 days after birth is a specifically-programmed step closely associated with the degree of maturation attained by the cells and is independent from the ingrowth of catecholamine-containing nerves.
