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Updated: May 31, 2026

Profiling of Permethylated Mucin O-glycans Using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 20, 2025
Oligosaccharides as modulators of rheology in complex mucous systems
Catherine Taylor Nordgård1, Kurt I Draget
1Norwegian Biopolymer Laboratory (NOBIPOL), Department of Biotechnology, NTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. Ctaylor@biotech.ntnu.no
Abstract:
Mucus rheology is integral to physiological function with the exact secretion rheology resulting from the macromolecular components, both mucin and nonmucin, and the interactions between these macromolecules. Here we present data demonstrating that low-molecular-weight guluronic acid oligomers extracted from alginate are able to disrupt intermolecular interactions in both purified and native mucous systems, resulting in rheological changes that are compatible with a lower cross-link density and thus reduced resistance to deformation. Additionally, these changes are associated with altered physiological function, raising the possibility of the use of such oligomers in biomedical applications.
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