A sialo-oligosaccharide-rich mucin-like molecule specifically detected in the submandibular glands of aged mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nMucins are heavily glycosylated large glycoproteins produced in the salivary glands that contribute to salivary viscosity. This study aimed to characterize age-related changes in mucin production in mouse submandibular salivary gland (SMG).\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe paraffin sections of the SMGs of the young and aged mice were stained with HE or Alcian blue (AB). SMGs mucins derived from the young and aged mice were separated using supported molecular matrix electrophoresis (SMME). After SMME, the membranes were stained with AB and subsequent glycan analysis or subjected to immunoblotting. The expression of 18 mucin genes and 4 sialyltransferase genes in the young and aged SMGs were determined by qPCR. The neuraminidase activity in the SMG homogenates was determined using Neuraminidase Assay Kit.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe mouse SMG is more strongly stained by AB with increasing age. On SMME, a characteristic band not found in the young SMG is detected in aged SMG. Based on migration position and the MALDI MS, the band that appeared specifically with aging was determined to be acidic mucin. Additionally, most glycans of this acidic mucin were sialo-oligosaccharides. Furthermore, there was an increase in the expression of sialyltransferase genes ST6GalNAc I and ST6GalNAc II, but not a decrease in neuraminidase activity, in the SMG of aged mice.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nA sialomucin or sialylated mucin-like molecule not found in the SMGs of young WT mice is expressed in aged WT mice. The increase in the sialo-oligosaccharide content in this aging-associated molecule may be attributed to the increased expression of the sialyltransferase genes.