Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

A Method for the Measurement of Salivary Gland Function in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2018
Rat submandibular gland during the maturation process: changes in enzyme activities, protein and lectin-binding
M Przybyło1, A Lityńska, D Hoja-Łukowicz
1Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. kloc@zuk.iz.uj.edu.pl
Abstract:
The total protein glycosylation profile and specific activity of lysosomal enzymes were investigated in rat submandibular glands isolated from very young (1-month), young (1.5-months) and adult rats (3-months) rats. The specific activity of lysosomal hydrolases (i.e. acid phosphatase, arylsulfatases A and B, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase) decreased in parallel to increasing age of the animals. Furthermore, the thermal stability of acid phosphatase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase was influenced by the age of rats. Age-related changes in protein profile regarding the intensity of particular bands as well as the appearance of certain proteins limited to special age groups were also demonstrated as revealed by Coomassie and lectin staining. Moreover, the marked age-related increase in structures Man (alpha1-2, alpha1-3, alpha1-6) Man, Fuc (alpha1-6) GlcNAc as well as Gal (beta1-3) GlcNAc was observed, whereas staining with terminal NeuAc and GlcNAc showed an inverse correlation. The reaction with (beta1-6) branched N-glycans and Gal (beta1-3) Gal structures was limited to 1-month-old rats. No significant changes in a specific reaction with NeuAc (alpha2-3) Gal were observed. We speculate that the observed differences with respect to protein and glycosylation profiles between 1-month-old rats and older ones could be caused by a modification of the diet composition as well as by the functional and morphological maturation of the rat submandibular gland.
Related Concept Videos
Lipid Digestion
Maturation of Endosomes
Changes in location
The maturing endosome moves along microtubules from the periphery of the cell towards the perinuclear region. This movement of the...
Overview of Secretory Vesicles
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions
Serous glands produce watery secretions rich in digestive enzymes and proteins. The constituent cells of the serous gland have centrally located nuclei and eosinophilic secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The parotid gland is an example of a serous gland. It secretes saliva, which contains enzymes, such as lipases and...
Salivary Glands and Saliva
Bacterial Protein Maturation

