Molecular diversity of tissue kallikrein in human saliva

The present study was conducted to explore the extent of heterogeneity of tissue kallikrein in saliva using immunological analysis and to demonstrate that such heterogeneity resulted from secretory phenomena and not degradation secondary to secretion. Human mixed saliva was collected by paraffin-stimulation and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Special collectors were used to obtain parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva using citric acid stimulation. Western blot analysis of human mixed saliva demonstrated major immunoreactive species with molecular masses of < 20 KD, 45 KD, 60 KD, 90 KD and > 200 KD. The polyclonal antibody used for these blotting studies was monofunctional with respect to reaction with purified salivary tissue kallikrein. Only the < 29 KD and 45 KD species were active using an enzyme overlay technique. While a similar distribution of molecular weight material was observed in both parotid and submandibular saliva, the amount of immunoreactive material was markedly less in parotid secretion. In addition, the < 20 KD material was essentially absent in parotid saliva. Treatment of the saliva with thermolysin eliminated the immunoreactive band at 60 KD while treatment with various glycosidases also eliminated some heterogeneity. These results demonstrate considerable variation in tissue kallikrein expression in salivary gland secretions.