Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1982.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1982.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is - a multifunctional peptide hormone that is widely distributedthroughout the body. Initially discovered as a gut hormone, CCK is important in integrating many digestive functions. In the nervous system cholecystokinin functions as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. It is also considered by many to be a naturally occurring satiety factor, important for the termination of a meal. Recently, our lab has identified the presence of CCK-like immunoreactivity in taste receptor cells of Sprague-Dawley rats. Preliminary in situ hybridization experiments appeared to demonstrate that the mRNA for cholecystokinin may also be expressed in the lingual epithelium and the taste cells of the circumvallate and foliate papillae of the rat tongue. To provide confirrnatory evidence for the presence of CCK in taste epithelium and to investigate its role in taste receptor cells, we further examined the expression of cholecystokinin mRNA in rat lingual epithelium using Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR. Northern analysis proved to be difficult using standard non-radiographic techniques and small oligonucleotide (35 bp) probes. Generating a 535 by radio-labeled probe with random primed labeling, Northern analysis demonstrated positive bands in control tissue (cerebral cortex and duodenum) but failed to demonstrate binding to lingual tissue. Since expression of CCK mRNA in taste cells could be below the level of detection of Northern analysis, the more sensitive technique of RT-PCR was employed. Similar results were obtained with RT-PCR PCR products were observed in cortical and duodenal tissues, but not in gustatory tissue. Therefore immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization results appear to be in conflict with those obtained with Northern and RT-PCR techniques. There remain many caveats in the collective interpretation of these results and further experimentation, particularly with probes designed to hybridize with differing regions of the CCK gene, will be required to more fully understand the putative presence and processing the CCK mRNA in taste receptor cells. / Department of Biology

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Colorado State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-97).

The West Indian manatee tongue was examined macroscopically, light microscopically, and electron microscopically (scanning and transmission). The tongue was slender, muscular, and firmly fixed in the oral cavity. Only the cranial tip was free and mobile. Numerous filiform papillae were distributed over the dorsal surface of the rostral lingual region. Caudal to the filiform papillae, multiple raised, round papillae were distributed over the majority of the dorsum. Fungiform papillae were restricted to the lateral margins of the tongue. Caudally, the dorsal and lateral regions showed numerous open fossae and pits. Microscopic examination showed the majority of the lingual dorsum to be covered with a thick stratified squamous epithelium. The caudal dorsal and lateral open pits led to well-developed mucous salivary glands. Foliate papillae, located on the caudal region of the tongue, contained taste buds embedded in the epidermis. Glands within the foliate papillae were mostly mucous, though some seromucous glands were evident. Throughout the tongue, striated muscle was abundant below the epidermis. Blood vessels, lymph channels, and nerve fibers were freely distributed throughout the intermuscular stroma. Nerve fibers reacted positively with neuron specific enolase antibody throughout the lingual structure, including nerve bundles, muscle bundles, glands, and taste buds. Electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic vacuoles juxtaposed to the nucleus in the stratum spinosum of the foliate papillary region. / Master of Science

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: McCarty, Nael A.; Committee Co-Chair: Kubanek, Julia; Committee Member: Derby, Charles; Committee Member: Goodisman, Michael; Committee Member: Pardue, Machelle; Committee Member: Weissburg, Marc. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.