The isolation and partial characterization of the principal glycoprotein from human mixed saliva

Purification of a low-molecular-weight, mucin-type glycoprotein from human submandibular-sublingual saliva

A low-molecular-weight, monomeric, mucin-type glycoprotein (MG2) has been isolated from human submandibular-sublingual saliva. Initial purification involved sequential gel-filtration on Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose CL-2B, the latter in the presence of 6M urea. Fractions containing MG2 were next separated from contaminating secretory IgA by immunoaffinity chromatography or recycling through Sephadex G-200. Mucin fractions were 14C-labeled by reductive methylation, and then the final purification-step entailed recycling radiolabeled materials through Sephadex G-200. Radiolabeling aided in the assessment of purity, as judged by SDS-PAGE and ion-exchange chromatography. The carbohydrate portion accounted for 69.6% of the recovered weight and was composed of N-acetyl-glucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, fucose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. Sulfate was also present. The protein comprised 30.4% of the recovered weight with threonine, serine, proline, and glycine accounting for 75.2% of the total amino acids. The oligosaccharides were alkali-labile, indicating an O-glycosyl linkage to the peptide. The mucin was weakly acidic and had an estimated mol. wt. of 200 000-250 000.

The colorimetric analysis of sialic acid in human saliva and bovine salivary mucin

Three colorimetric methods were compared for their suitability for the analysis of sialic acid in human mixed saliva and bovine submaxillary gland mucin. The thiobarbituric acid method was most precise with human saliva, appeared to be subject to the least interference and is therefore the method of choice for these samples. However, it is not possible to use this method for the analysis of bovine mucins. With these samples the resorcinol method was most suitable, being subject to the least interference and relatively precise. The direct Ehrlich method was least precise overall and gave high values with human whole saliva.

Nonimmunologic aspects of caries resistance

A variety of components provide salivary secretions with an array of potentially effective means of combating cariogenic challenges. These defense factors range from a laissez-faire mechanical cleansing to exquisitely controlled production of highly specific antibodies. In between the two extremes are antibacterial systems whose operating characteristics are only beginning to be understood. These systems are well worth our attention. They may be the key to our understanding of variations in individual susceptibility, and could provide valuable leads for development of anticaries agents.

Some chemical characteristics of human minor salivary gland secretions

The minor salivary glands contribute to the composition of whole saliva, but little information has been available about their chemical constituents. Pilocarpine-stimulated labial and palatine secretion from 4 human subjects was investigated by paper and disc electrophoresis, immunochemical analysis, and for content of carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, hexuronic acids and sulphate. No significant differences were noted between the labial and palatine secretions by any of the methods employed. The minor gland secretions appeared to consist mainly of mucosubstances, possibly with blood group specificity. In addition, three water-soluble components with the characteristics of albumin, alpha-amylase and secretory IgA were seen. The minor gland secretions had an amino acid profile different from those of the major salivary glands and contained higher proportions of carbohydrate. Only one lipid component, with the characteristics of a polar lipid, was seen. Hexuronic acids were not detected in either secretion, whereas both contained sulphate. It would appear that the minor mucous glands contribute to the content of mucosubstances in whole saliva, whereas their content of water-soluble material is negligible in this respect.

The glycoprotein content of meconium

Meconium pooled according to blood group activity has been studied. It was found to consists largely of glycoproteins. Two glycoprotein fractions have been isolated, one of which consisted of mucous-type glycoproteins and the other of "mannose-containing" glycoproteins.