Expression of phosphodiesterase 3 in rat submandibular gland.

The expression of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 isoforms was investigated in extracts of rat submandibular gland by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the PCR fragments were then sequenced. PDE3 activity was detected in gland homogenates; about 90% of the activity was in the supernatant fraction and about 10% in the particulate fraction. PDE3A and 3B mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in RNA from the gland. The nucleotide sequences of the fragments were identical to those of rat PDE3A and 3B. The results indicate that two PDE3 isoforms are present in rat submandibular gland and may regulate an important cAMP pool.