Characterization of bovine gallbladder mucin. Amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from the glycosylated domain of the protein core

Role of Secretory Mucins in the Occurrence and Development of Cholelithiasis

Cholelithiasis is a common biliary tract disease. However, the exact mechanism underlying gallstone formation remains unclear. Mucin plays a vital role in the nuclear formation and growth of cholesterol and pigment stones. Excessive mucin secretion can result in cholestasis and decreased gallbladder activity, further facilitating stone formation and growth. Moreover, gallstones may result in inflammation and the secretion of inflammatory factors, which can further increase mucin expression and secretion to promote the growth of gallstones. This review systematically summarises and analyses the role of mucins in gallstone occurrence and development and its related mechanisms to explore new ideas for interventions in stone formation or recurrence.

A novel foregut mucin characterized by a murine monoclonal autoantibody

Autoantibodies to gastric cellular antigens and glycoproteins including mucins and Lewis X and Y antigens have been implicated in the induction of autoimmune gastritis. Monoclonal antibody D10 (D10 MAb) recognizes a highly conserved mucin expressed in the foregut of mammals and other vertebrates. The objective of this study was to biochemically characterize the autoantigen identified by D10 MAb and examine its autoimmunogenicity in the mouse. Characterization of the mucin autoantigen was undertaken following purification, by amino acid and carbohydrate analyses, deglycosylation, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting using D10 MAb. Autoimmune reactivity and specificity of D10 MAb were validated by immunohistochemistry and ELISA using mouse tissue. Induction of autoimmune gastritis was investigated following immunization of mice with D10 MAb-reactive heterologous mucin. D10 MAb was shown to be a murine anti-mucin autoantibody with a unique pattern of immunohistochemical staining of Brunner's glands of the duodenum and the cardiac glands, mucous neck cells, and pyloric glands of the stomach from inbred Balb/c mice in patterns identical to that previously reported in human tissue. Amino acid and carbohydrate analysis of purified D10 mucin reflected a compositional profile of a typical mucin molecule. Confirmation that D10 MAb recognizes a mucin was also provided by demonstration that the carbohydrate epitope resides on a high molecular weight (>1x10(6)Da), high-density (>1.40 g/mL) molecule comprised of greater than 60% carbohydrate. Mice immunized with D10 MAb-reactive, purified, heterologous mucin produced autoantibodies of identical specificity to the original D10 MAb. These data demonstrate the autoimmunogenic properties of a novel foregut mucin and raise the potential of anti-mucin autoantibodies in the induction of autoimmune gastritis.

Interaction of Mucin with Cholesterol Enriched Vesicles: Role of Mucin Structural Domains

We utilized fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to examine the role of gallbladder mucin (GBM) in promoting the aggregation and/or fusion of cholesterol enriched vesicles. By fluorescent labeling either the vesicle or the mucin, we could examine the change in vesicle size as well as changes in mucin's diffusion constant. Both FRAP and FCS show that GBM has a profound effect in inducing vesicles to aggregate/fuse, particularly after overnight incubation. GBM mucin domains (either protease digested or reduced GBM) are not as effective as native GBM. Intact GBM alone was able to shorten crystal appearance time and increase the number of crystals nucleated by polarized optical microscopy. In summary, our findings would suggest that both glycosylated and nonglycosylated domains of GBM are involved in early aggregation of cholesterol enriched vesicles but that this effect is reversible in the absence of nonglycosylated domains.

Characterization of glycoproteins in the epithelial cells of human and other mammalian gallbladder. A review

The mammalian gallbladder mucosa is lined by a simple columnar epithelium. Typical surface epithelial cells (principal cells) contain short microvilli, secretory granules, dense bodies, mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. Dense bodies are thought to be lysosomes. Secretory granules contain mucous glycoproteins which are released to the lumen by exocytosis. Oligosaccharide side chains of mucous glycoproteins may provide a favorable environment for nucleation of cholesterol in gallstone formation; therefore they have been studied during the past decades. Histochemical techniques allow the in situ identification of carbohydrates at both the cellular and subcellular levels. The oligosaccharide chains of principal cell mucous glycoproteins have been studied by classical histochemical techniques (PAS, alcian blue, HID, etc). These techniques indicate that mammalian gallbladder mucous glycoproteins are heavily sulphated, whereas sialic acid residues are scarce. Neutral mucins have not been described in the mammalian gallbladder. Electron microscopic studies have located the oligosaccharide chains in secretory granules and Golgi apparatus. More recently, lectins (molecules which specifically recognize and bind with different saccharides or saccharide sequences) have been applied for the intracellular localization of carbohydrate residues. Lectin histochemistry has detected fucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues in mucous granules, Golgi apparatus and apical membrane of human principal cells. Mannose residues were observed only in dense bodies. The combined use of deglycosylation procedures and lectin histochemistry has revealed a variety of terminal sequences in oligosaccharide chains of gallbladder mucous glycoproteins: Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-3)GalNAc, Neu5Ac(alpha 2-3)Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc and Gal(beta 1-4)GlcNAc. This technology also suggested the occurrence of N-linked oligosaccharides in the dense bodies of principal cells. Mucous granules mainly contained mucin-type O-linked oligosaccharides although some N-linked chains have also been detected. Gallstone formation is probably a complex process depending on multiple factors. Mucous glycoproteins are one of the factors involved in this process. Histochemical methods offer an excellent research tool for the characterization of glycoproteins in the epithelial cells of the gallbladder, thus contributing to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of gallstone formation.

Molecular cloning of a major human gall bladder mucin: complete C-terminal sequence and genomic organization of MUC5B

Gall bladder mucin has been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease. While cloning and sequencing studies have provided a wealth of information on the structure of other gastrointestinal and respiratory mucins, nothing is known about the primary structure of human gall bladder mucin. In this study, we show that the tracheobronchial mucin MUC5B is a major mucin gene product expressed in the gall bladder. Antibodies directed against deglycosylated human gall bladder mucin were used to screen a gall bladder cDNA expression library, and most of the isolated clones contained repetitive sequences nearly identical with those in the tandem repeat region of MUC5B. An additional clone (hGBM2-3) contained an open reading frame coding for a 389 residue cysteine-rich sequence. The arrangement of cysteine residues in this sequence was very similar to that in the C-terminal regions of MUC2, MUC5AC and human von Willebrand factor. This cysteine-rich sequence was connected to a series of degenerate MUC5B tandem repeats in a 7.5 kb HincII genomic DNA fragment. This fragment, with ten exons and nine introns, contained MUC5B repeats in exon 1 and a 469 residue cysteine-rich sequence in exons 2-10 that provided a 152 nucleotide overlap with cDNA clone hGBM2-3. Interestingly, the exon-intron junctions in the MUC5B genomic fragment occurred at positions equivalent to those in the D4 domain of human von Willebrand factor, suggesting that these proteins evolved from a common evolutionary ancestor through addition or deletion of exons encoding functional domains.

Interaction of bovine gallbladder mucin and calcium-binding protein: effects on calcium phosphate precipitation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Gallstones consist of calcium salts and cholesterol crystals, arrayed on a matrix of gallbladder mucin (GBM), and regulatory proteins like calcium-binding protein (CBP). To determine if interactions between CBP and GBM follow a biomineralization scheme, their mutual binding and effects on CaHPO4 precipitation were studied.

METHODS

Binding of CBP to GBM was assessed by inhibition of the fluorescence of the complex of GBM with bis-1,8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonic acid (bis-ANS). The effects of the proteins on precipitation of CaHPO4 were assessed by nephelometry and gravimetry. Precipitates were analyzed for calcium, phosphate, and protein.

RESULTS

CBP and bis-ANS competitively displaced each other from 30 binding sites on mucin, with a 1:1 stoichiometry and similar affinity. The rate of precipitation of CaHPO4 was retarded by mucin and CBP. Precipitate mass was unaffected by GBM alone but decreased with the addition of CBP. Complexing CBP with GBM abolished or moderated this latter effect, altered precipitate morphology, and changed the stoichiometric ratios of Ca to PO4 in the precipitates from 1:1 to 3:2. Mucin and CBP were incorporated into the precipitates.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies suggest that the formation of calcium-containing gallstones is a biomineralization process regulated by both GBM and CBP.

Bovine gall-bladder mucin contains two distinct tandem repeating sequences: evidence for scavenger receptor cysteine-rich repeats

Gall-bladder mucin is a densely glycosylated macromolecule which is the primary secretory product of the gall-bladder epithelium. It has been shown to bind cholesterol and other biliary lipids and to promote cholesterol crystal nucleation in vitro. In order to understand the molecular basis for mucin-lipid interactions, bovine gall-bladder mucin cDNAs were identified by expression cloning and were isolated and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences of these cDNAs revealed two distinct tandem repeating domains. One of these domains contained a 20-amino acid tandem repeating sequence enriched in threonine, serine and proline. This sequence was similar to, but not identical with, the short tandem repeating sequences identified previously in other mammalian mucins. The other domain contained a 127-amino acid tandem repeating sequence enriched in cysteine and glycine. This repeat displayed considerable sequence similarity to a family of receptor- and ligand-binding proteins containing scavenger receptor cysteine-rich repeats. By analogy with other proteins containing these cysteine-rich repeats, it is possible that, in gall-bladder mucin, this domain serves as a binding site for hydrophobic ligands such as bilirubin, cholesterol and other biliary lipids.

Ultrastructural, histochemical and electrophysiological study of calf gallbladder epithelium

Calf (Bos taurus) gallbladder, contrary to that of most mammalian, does not concentrate bile. It is to be ascertained whether this phenomenon is the result of a lack of fluid absorption or a balance between the latter and fluid secretion. To this end we began a characterization of bovine gallbladder epithelium by means of electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, enzymatic activity and electrophysiological measurements. We also partially characterized bile content. The ultrastructural examination showed that surface epithelial cells have the general structure that is observed in absorptive epithelia. Mucous secretory activity is also evident. Moreover, two distinct types of secreting cells line the glands in the lamina propria and contribute to the production of an abundant secretion. The cell surface shows a marked reactivity with the anti-alkaline phosphatase serum. Most of the activity of alkaline phosphatase and L-gamma-glutamyltransferase is found at the apical side of the epithelium. Electrophysiological parameters indicate that this is a low resistance epithelium. Therefore, coexistence of features typical of absorptive epithelia and the inability of concentrating bile suggest that, in this organ, fluid absorption and secretion are both present.

Bovine gallbladder mucin accelerates cholesterol monohydrate crystal growth in model bile

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder mucin accelerates cholesterol crystal nucleation, an early step in the pathogenesis of gallstones. To examine the role of gallbladder mucin in postnucleation gallstone maturation, the influence of mucin on cholesterol monohydrate crystal growth was studied in a novel model system.

METHODS

Cholesterol crystals of a uniform size were incubated in model biles at 37 degrees C with varying cholesterol saturation indices. Crystal size was quantitated by measuring the width and length of individual crystals under polarizing light microscopy and calculating average crystal area.

RESULTS

Crystal growth was dependent on the degree of cholesterol supersaturation of bile. Bovine gallbladder mucin (0.5-8 mg/mL) accelerated crystal growth in supersaturated model bile in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion compared with control incubations with bovine serum albumin or model bile alone (P < 0.05). Cholesterol crystal growth was accompanied by a progressive decrease in cholesterol saturation and an increase in total cholesterol crystal mass. Crystal growth was also accompanied by a decrease in total crystal number, suggesting net transfer of cholesterol to larger crystals.

CONCLUSIONS

The acceleration of cholesterol crystal growth by gallbladder mucin may be of pathophysiological importance in the postnucleation maturation of cholesterol gallstones.

Cholesterol cholelithiasis in the prairie dog: role of mucin and nonmucin glycoproteins

The aims of this study were to examine the effect of exogenous prostaglandin on mucin secretion and to determine the role of nonmucin glycoproteins on gallstone formation in the prairie dog model of cholesterol cholelithiasis. The concentration of total glycoprotein and nonmucin glycoproteins was measured in gallbladder bile from four groups of prairie dogs fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with 1.2% cholesterol with or without simultaneous subcutaneous administration of prostaglandin E1. Cholesterol feeding resulted in an increased concentration of concanavalin-A binding-proteins in gallbladder bile associated with an increase in pronucleating activity in vitro. Treatment with prostaglandin E1 and cholesterol feeding was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of cholesterol gallstone formation. Prostaglandin E1 treatment in the cholesterol-fed animals increased biliary concentrations of total glycoprotein and concanavalin-A-binding glycoproteins. Therefore the increased biliary glycoprotein level in cholesterol-fed, prostaglandin E1-treated prairie dogs, which reflects higher levels of mucin and nonmucin glycoproteins, appears to be an important factor in gallstone formation.