Mucinase Activity

Stark, Roger M.; Wiggins, Rebecca; Walley, Elizabeth; Hicks, Sally J.; Gill, Gulnaz A.; Carrington, Stephen D.; Corfield, Anthony P.

doi:10.1385/1-59259-048-9:385

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The turnover of this gel layer is essential for hydration, mechanical protection, the physical removal of contaminants and provision of suitable environment for the renewal of other defensive molecules that are incorporated into mucus. 1 The key component of the mucus is predominantly mucin glycoprotein that is synthesized and secreted by mucous neck cells in the stomach and goblet cells in the intestine. 2 Mucin is made up of fucose, galactose (GAL), N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine and sialic acids (SIA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation of gastric mucosal damage with sialic acid profile in rats: effect of hydrochloric acid, pepsin and hypertonic saline

Yusuf¹,

Nok²,

Ameh³

et al. 2004

Cell Biochemistry & Function

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Sialic acids occupy terminal positions on gastric mucus glycoprotein where they contribute to the high viscosity of mucin. Desialylation of mucus may lead to degradation of the mucus and eventually to the breakdown of the gastric mucus barrier. The effect of a variety of damaging agents (0.1 M HCl, 2 mg ml(-1) pepsin and 2 M NaCl) on sialic acid profile was determined in pylorus-ligated rats. The relationship between sialic acid, galactose, pyruvate and the extent of gastric mucosal damage were studied. Instillation of pepsin significantly increased total sialic acid, galactose and macroscopic mucosal lesions in the stomach. Instillation of 0.1 M HCl reduced the total sialic acid but this decrease was not significant. Acidity led to a significant increase in the amount of free sialic acid in the gastric instillates and the macroscopic lesions induced by acid was not significantly different from the control animals (0.15 M NaCl). 2 M NaCl induced the macroscopic lesions in the stomach and also free sialic acid in the instillates. Pepsin potentiates the action of 2 M NaCl. In all the agents examined with the exception of acid, it was observed that an increase in free sialic acid and galactose was accompanied by gastric mucosal erosion and elevation of pyruvate concentration. It is concluded that gastric acidity alone is not inherently damaging and that resistance of gastric mucosa to destructive agents may be dependent on the integrity of the sialic acids.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation of gastric mucosal damage with sialic acid profile in rats: effect of hydrochloric acid, pepsin and hypertonic saline

Yusuf¹,

Nok²,

Ameh³

et al. 2004

Cell Biochemistry & Function

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“…Mucinase activity, which is found associated with bacteria at mucosal surfaces comprises a group of glycosidases and proteinases, capable of degrading mucins 9,10 . Among the glycosidases found to correlate with BV is sialidase, which releases the sialic acid residues that frequently occupy terminal positions on the oligosaccharide chains of mucins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of a novel human cervical mucin-based assay demonstrates the absence of increased mucinase activity in bacterial vaginosis

et al. 2002

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Enzymes produced in bacterial vaginosis (BV) have been proposed as possible mediators of pre-term birth. Most studies have concentrated on mid-trimester measurements of enzyme activity, and utilize synthetic substrates to measure enzyme activity, which may not accurately represent mucinase activity in vivo. We have developed a novel ELISA mucinase assay using biotinylated human cervical mucin as a substrate. The assay is rapid, sensitive and can be used to screen large numbers of samples. The new assay has been used to assess vaginal mucinase activities in 92 women<14 weeks gestational age with and without BV. No differences in mucinase activity were detected between normal and BV groups while significant elevation of sialidase and other glycosidases was confirmed as reported before. This study shows that significant mucinase activity is a normal event in the mucus barrier, but does not reflect changes identified for individual enzyme activities associated with BV.

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