Human low-molecular-weight salivary mucin expresses the sialyl lewisx determinant and has L-selectin ligand activity.

• Previously we showed that the low-molecular-weight mucin (MG2, encoded by MUC7), a major component of human submandibular/sublingual saliva, is a bacterial receptor that coats the tooth surface. Here we tested the hypothesis that the structure of its carbohydrate residues contains important information about its function. Purified MG2 (Mr 120 000) was digested with trypsin, and the resulting Mr 90 000 fragment, which carried primarily O-linked oligosaccharides, was subjected to reductive beta-elimination. The released oligosaccharides were characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Of the 41 different structures we detected, the most prominent included NeuAcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->3GalNAc-ol (sialyl-T antigen), Galbeta1-->4(Fucalpha1-->3)GlcNAcbeta1-->6(Galbeta1 -->3)GalNAc-ol [type 2 core with Lewisx (Lex) determinant], and NeuAcalpha2-->3Galbeta1-->4(Fucalpha1-->3)GlcNAcbet a1-->6(Galbeta1--> 3) GalNAc-ol [type 2 core with sialyl Lex (sLex) determinant]. We also detected di-, tri-, and pentasaccharides with one sulfate group. Lex, sLex, and related sulfated structures are ligands for selectins, adhesion molecules that mediate leukocyte trafficking. Therefore, we investigated whether MG2 was a selectin ligand. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, L-selectin chimeras interacted with immobilized MG2 in a Ca2+-dependent manner. L-Selectin chimeras also bound to MG2 immobilized on nitrocellulose. Together, these results suggest that the saccharides that MG2 carries could specify some of its important functions, which may include mediating leukocyte interactions in the oral cavity.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi -- Medicinsk bioteknologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology -- Medical Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Carbohydrate Sequence

Humans

L-Selectin

metabolism

Ligands

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Molecular Sequence Data

Molecular Weight

Mucins

chemistry

immunology

metabolism

Oligosaccharides

metabolism

Protein Binding

Saliva

chemistry

Spectrometry

Mass

Fast Atom Bombardment

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)