Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
07:20
Human Colonoid Monolayers to Study Interactions Between Pathogens, Commensals, and Host Intestinal Epithelium
Published on: April 9, 2019
The colonic goblet cell and glycoprotein heterogeneity
1Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Immunological Investigations
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Colonic mucin glycoproteins, crucial for host defense, exhibit diversity due to goblet cell function. Reduced levels of a specific mucin (HCM glycoprotein IV) are linked to ulcerative colitis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Glycobiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mucin glycoproteins are vital nonspecific host defenses at mucosal interfaces.
- Understanding the complex structure and function of these glycoproteins has been limited.
- Recent studies have identified distinct colonic mucin glycoproteins and characterized their oligosaccharide side chains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and functional diversity of colonic mucin glycoproteins.
- To explore the origins of glycoprotein heterogeneity in the colon.
- To determine the association of specific mucin alterations with ulcerative colitis.
Main Methods:
- Conventional structural analysis of oligosaccharide side chains.
- Utilization of monoclonal antibodies for glycoprotein characterization.
- Assessment of biosynthesis and secretion rates of different human colonic mucin (HCM) glycoproteins.
Main Results:
- Colonic mucin diversity arises from functional heterogeneity of colonic goblet cells.
- Rates of biosynthesis and secretion vary among different HCM glycoproteins.
- A selective reduction in HCM glycoprotein IV was observed in association with ulcerative colitis.
Conclusions:
- Colonic goblet cell heterogeneity contributes to mucin glycoprotein diversity.
- Alterations in colonic glycoconjugates, including reduced HCM glycoprotein IV, may be associated with ulcerative colitis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of mucins in colonic health and disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Vesicular Tubular Clusters
After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
With the help of motor proteins such...
With the help of motor proteins such...
01:24Oligosaccharide Assembly
Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
01:12Golgi Matrix Proteins
Golgi matrix proteins are a group of highly dynamic proteins that maintain the stacked structure of Golgi. These proteins adapt to rapid morphological changes of the Golgi during the cell cycle. During cell division, mild proteolysis removes these connections resulting in Golgi unstacking. In The daughter cells, these proteins help reassemble the unstacked Golgi.
One of the first identified Golgi matrix proteins was GM130, a rod-like protein located in the cis-Golgi. Subsequently, many Golgi...
One of the first identified Golgi matrix proteins was GM130, a rod-like protein located in the cis-Golgi. Subsequently, many Golgi...
01:23Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells
The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the goblet,...
01:27Histology of the Small Intestine
The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...