Alteration of mucins in the submandibular gland during aging in mice

Mucins are large glycosylated glycoproteins that produced in the salivary glands, and their changes may contribute to development of xerostomia due aging accompanying deterioration oral hygiene. This study aimed characterize mucins submandibular gland (SMG) during process. SMG derived from mice each age were separated using supported molecular matrix electrophoresis (SMME). Subsequently, membranes stained with Alcian blue (AB) or blotted MAL-II lectin. The SMME AB subjected densitometric analysis glycan analysis. detailed structures O-glycan investigated by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). secreted three different profiles: age-specific mucin, youth-specific a mucin expressed throughout life, expression patterns these change aging. Additionally, began be detected at about 12 months age. A life had same major glycans but structures. Furthermore, proportion species changed process, tended decrease fucosylated increase sialoglycans. There secretory profiles mice, according period also