Neural regulation of the protein composition of saliva
GB Proctor
Fluid and protein secretion from salivary glands are primarily regulated by efferent parasy mpathetic and sympathetic nerves respectively. The protein concentration of sali-
va, which is made up of a number of functionally important proteins, can vary depending on the impulse traffic arriving from these nerves. The composition of the proteins secreted by a salivary gland with a mixed population of secretory cells can vaiy with different secretory stimuli and intensities of stimuli, according to how the individual cell populations respond. Most of the published evidence suggests that the protein com-position of saliva secreted form the parotid gland, which has an apparently homogeneous secretory cell population, appears to be similar regardless of the type of nerve stimulus. It is likely that salivary secretory cells can secrete protein by a constitutive route, not involving storage granules, in addition to the regulated secretion of protein from storage granules, and that the constitutive route may operate during parasympathetic nerve stimulation. However the functional significance of this type of protein secretion is as yet unknown.
Biomed Rev 1993; 2: 47-56.
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