Abstract
A common feature of the calcitonin-producing cells (C cells) is their capacity to produce and store arylethylamines. The activity of aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (DOPA/5-HTP decarboxylase) was measured radiometrically in the thyroid glands of various species and in the ultimobranchial gland of the chicken. The enzyme activity was well correlated with the number of amine-containing C cells, demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy in these tissues. The ultimobranchial gland had a conspicuously high activity of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. The follicular cells of the thyroid appeared to have no or only a very low activity of this enzyme.
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