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Carbonic Anhydrase, Sulphonamides and Shell Formation in the Domestic Fowl

Nature volume 153, pages 138–139 (1944)Cite this article

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.

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References

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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
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  2. N. S. BARRON
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  3. C. A. MAWSON
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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

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