Distribution of carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI in the developing bovine parotid gland

The distribution of bovine carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI (CA-VI), purified from bovine saliva, was studied immunohistochemically using antiserum again st bovine CA-VI in bovine parotid glands during fetal and postnatal develop ment, A weak expression of CA-VI in undifferentiated epithelial cells and d uctal cells was observed in a 4- to 5-month-old fetus with a 26-cm crown-ru mp length, The reaction in both acinar and ductal cells subsequently persis ted during late gestation and birth, Although anti-CA-VI reactivity was sti ll seen in both regions immediately following birth, the reactivity had alm ost completely disappeared from most duct segments by 1 month following bir th, Changes in the localization and time-dependent expression of the isozym e in parotid glands may reflect changes in the biological function of struc turally closely related isozymes, Copyright(C)2000S.KargerAG.Basel.