Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Carbonic Anhydrase, Sulphonamides and Shell Formation in the Domestic Fowl

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

Meldrum and Roughton1 were the first to advance the hypothesis that carbonic anhydrase might play a part in egg-shell formation by influencing the rate of formation of the anion of calcium carbonate by catalysis of the reaction CO2 + H2O = H2CO3. Following up this suggestion, Common2 examined the tissues of the hen's oviduct for their carbonic anhydrase activity, and concluded "that the carbonic anhydrase activity of the uterine epithelium is higher than that of the remaining oviducal tissues, and that this activity may play a part in shell secretion". On the other hand, it has been demonstrated by Keilin and Mann3 that compounds of the RSO2NH2type (where R is a benzene, naphthalene or pyridine ring) specifically inhibit carbonic anhydrase in very small concentrations. This property, however, is absent in all such compounds in which the sulphonamide group is substituted, as it is, for example, in sulphapyridine or sulphathiazole.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Meldrum, R. U., and Roughton, F. J. W., J. Physiol, 80, 113 (1933).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Common, R. H., J. Agric. Sci., 31, 412 (1941).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Keilin, D., and Mann, T., NATURE, 146, 164 (1940).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Litchfield, jun., J. R., J. Pharmacol. and Exper. Therap., 67, 212 (1939).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Mawson, C. A., Biochem. J., 36, 845 (1942).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bieter, R. N., et al., J. Amer. Med. Assoc., 116, 2231 (1941).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. (Maudsley Hospital Research Fellow.) c/o Central Pathological Laboratory, Mental Health Services, at West Park Hospital, Epsom

    R. BENESCH

  2. The University, Reading,

    N. S. BARRON

  3. Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

    C. A. MAWSON

Authors
  1. R. BENESCH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. S. BARRON
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. A. MAWSON
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BENESCH, R., BARRON, N. & MAWSON, C. Carbonic Anhydrase, Sulphonamides and Shell Formation in the Domestic Fowl. Nature 153, 138–139 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/153138a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/153138a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation