Equine mandibular gland: in situ characterisation of sialoderivatives.
Abstract: Sialic acids modulate the metabolite transport across membranes and may be involved in protection against pathogenic agents. The presence of sialoderivatives in the equine mandibular gland requires further study. Objective: To biochemically visualise in situ the presence of sialoderivatives, by means of mild and strong periodate oxidation and alcoholic saponification, combined with lectin histochemistry and sialidase digestion in order to hypothesise roles for detached sialoderivatives. Methods: Mandibular glands were removed from 8 mature horses of both sexes and subjected to histochemical procedures, including periodate oxidation, saponfication and lectin staining. Controls were based upon the omission of peroxidase-conjugated lectins and respective enzyme-free buffers. Results: The reactivities of PNA and RCA I lectins were affected by sialidase treatment, whether preceded by saponification or not, showing that the dimer N-acetyl-sialic acid-beta-Gal was linked (1-3)GalNAc and (1-4)GlcNAc. In acinar cells the sequence sialic acid-beta-Gal(1-3)GalNAc showed sialic residues acetylated at C4 only and at C4 and C7 and/or C8 and/or C9(alpha2-6Gal) in both sexes, while in female mandibular gland also C4 and C9(alpha2-3Gal) acetylated residues were present. Sialic acid linked to beta-Gal(1-4)GlcNAc was prevalently C4 and C7 and/or C8 and/or C9(alpha2-6Gal and alpha2-3Gal) acetylated, whereas only a minor quantity showed acetyl groups at C7 and/or C8 and/or C9(alpha2-6Gal) in the acinar cells of both sexes. Conclusions: The great variety of sialic acid residues expressed by equine mandibular gland could assume an important role in the defensive mechanisms towards pathogen agents and, compared with those of cattle, probably represents an example of molecular species-specificity related to different alimentary habits.
Publication Date: 2006-09-22 PubMed ID: 16986600DOI: 10.2746/042516406778400637Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores the existence and characteristics of sialic acid components, known as sialoderivatives, in horse mandibular glands. The study also hypothesizes their potential roles in defending against pathogens and how they link to different feeding habits.
Study Purpose and Objectives
- The study primarily focuses on the in-situ identification and analysis of sialoderivatives in equine mandibular glands. Sialoderivatives are components of sialic acid which is known to modulate metabolite transport and potentially protect against pathogens.
- The authors aim to apply a variety of biochemical visualisation techniques, such as periodate oxidation, alcoholic saponification, and lectin histochemistry, as well as sialidase digestion, to understand the properties and potential roles of these detached sialoderivatives.
Methodology
- The researchers collected mandibular glands from 8 mature horses of both sexes for this study.
- Several histochemical procedures were performed on the gland samples, including periodate oxidation, saponification, and lectin staining.
- For controls, peroxidase-conjugated lectins and corresponding enzyme-free buffers were excluded.
Results
- The study established the presence of various sialoderivatives and their specific locations within the mandibular gland cells.
- The results showed different modifications and connections of the sialoderivatives — most notably the N-acetyl-sialic acid-beta-Gal linked to (1-3)GalNAc and (1-4)GlcNAc.
- The reactivity to certain lectins (PNA and RCA I) was found to be influenced by the treatment with saponification and sialidase, indicating changes in the properties of the sialoderivatives.
- The study also identified variations in the type of sialic acid residues and their acetylation patterns between male and female horses.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that the diversity of sialoderivatives may play a significant role in defense against pathogens.
- This study also highlighted the likely link between species-specific molecular identities and feeding habits, drawing comparisons with cattle.
Cite This Article
APA
Scocco P, Pedini V.
(2006).
Equine mandibular gland: in situ characterisation of sialoderivatives.
Equine Vet J, 38(5), 410-415.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400637 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Environmental Sciences, UNICAM, Matelica, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Histocytochemistry
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Lectins / metabolism
- Male
- Mandible
- N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / analogs & derivatives
- N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / chemistry
- N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / metabolism
- Neuraminidase / metabolism
- Salivary Glands / chemistry
- Salivary Glands / enzymology
- Salivary Glands / metabolism
- Species Specificity
- Submandibular Gland / chemistry
- Submandibular Gland / enzymology
- Submandibular Gland / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Dall'Aglio C, Mercati F, De Felice E, Tardella FM, Kamphues J, Cappai MG, Scocco P. Influence of Different Feed Physical Forms on Mandibular Gland in Growing Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 24;10(5).
- Dall'Aglio C, Mercati F, Faeti V, Acuti G, Trabalza Marinucci M, De Felice E, Tardella FM, Franciosini MP, Casagrande Proietti P, Catorci D, Stacchini P, Pastorelli A, Scocco P. Immuno- and glyco-histochemistry as a tool to evaluate the oregano supplemented feed effects in pig gut. Eur J Histochem 2020 Feb 20;64(1).
- Mercati F, Dall'Aglio C, Acuti G, Faeti V, Tardella FM, Pirino C, De Felice E, Scocco P. Oregano Feed Supplementation Affects Glycoconjugates Production in Swine Gut. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 16;10(1).
- Nara T, Yasui T, Fujimori O, Meyer W, Tsukise A. Histochemical properties of sialic acids and antimicrobial substances in canine anal glands. Eur J Histochem 2011;55(3):e29.
- Werling D. The clinical significance of sialoderiveratives in the search for novel means of antipathogen therapy. Equine Vet J 2006 Sep;38(5):390-2.
- Schimming BC, Farha AH, Sasahara THC, Abdala FCM, Cianciotta A, Gomes SP, Desantis S. Morphology and Glycan Composition of the Mandibular Glands in the White-Eared Opossum (Didelphis albiventris). J Morphol 2025 Aug;286(8):e70074.
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