Isolation, Biochemical Characterization and Anti-adhesion Property of Mucin from the Blue Blubber Jellyfish (<i>Catostylus mosaicus</i>)

Abstract

Mucins are large glycoproteins that have been identified as the main component of various biological gels and lubricants. Their compositions contribute to the viscoelastic properties of mucus secretions. Gel-forming mucins have now been identified in a variety of organisms from marine molluscs to humans and are thought to cover and protect epithelial cells from attachment and entry of pathogens. We employed a new approach using a combination of tryptic digestion and the fractionation by hydrophobic interaction chromatography to enable the isolation and purification of mucins from the Blue Blubber jellyfish, Catostylus mosaicus. The purified proteins were stained with Alcian blue indicating extensive glycosylation. Amino acid composition analysis of the purified protein found that it was enriched for Ala, Glu, Thr, Pro and Val residues (together constituting 93 mole % of the protein), which is typical for mucins. Consistent with this, monosaccharide composition analysis revealed extensive O-linked oligosaccharides with N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), galactose (Gal) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) as major monosaccharide constituents. The purified C. mosaicus mucins inhibited the attachment of an ocular Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) isolate (Paer6294) to human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells grown in vitro.

Identification of Glycoproteins Isolated from Extracellular Polymeric Substances of Full-Scale Anammox Granular Sludge

“…Furthermore, the large amount of acidic carbohydrate residues may lead to an unevenly distributed charge on the molecules, inhibiting the formation of a dense band on the gel . This smeared band in the high molecular weight range is similar to what is observed for mucin-like proteins, when stained with Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. , …”

“…24 This smeared band in the high molecular weight range is similar to what is observed for mucin-like proteins, when stained with Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. 35,36 In summary, besides a few major bands stained with Coomassie Blue, carbohydrate and acid specific staining revealed three bands in the solubilized EPS extract: (i) a high molecular weight smeared band containing acidic groups, (ii) a band at 80 kDa with both protein and carbohydrate positive staining, and (iii) at approximately 12 kDa a band stained positive for sulfate groups. Based on these results, our further analysis was focused on the protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 80 kDa because it showed an abundant band with a clear staining with both Coomassie and PAS.…”

“… 24 This smeared band in the high molecular weight range is similar to what is observed for mucin-like proteins, when stained with Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. 35 , 36 …”

Mucus secretions in Cnidarian, an ecological, adaptive and evolutive tool

“…In general, mucus in the Animalia kingdom is predominantly composed of water (approximately 95% of its total wet mass), while the remaining 5% is composed of mucins, phospholipids, cholesterol, salt, lipids, fatty acids and proteins with defensive purpose, such as lysozyme, immunoglobulins and defensine (Marshall and Wright ,1991;Celli et al, 2005;Bansil & Turner 2006;Pearson et al, 2011;Hubot et al, 2022).…”

Sequestration of Polystyrene Microplastics by Jellyfish Mucus

“…They have O-linked oligosaccharides and are responsible for viscoelastic nature of mucus. Mucins are important for protection of jellyfish epithelium against dehydration, microbial invasion, and physical damage (Pearson et al, 2011;Bakshani et al, 2018). Mucins are produced in secretory cells in the form of compact concentrated granules.…”