Tissue distribution and age-dependent expression of beta-4-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase in guinea-pig

Guinea-pig kidney contains a beta-4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase which may be involved in the biosynthesis of the Sda determinant expressed on Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein. In the present study we show that this enzyme is expressed far more in the medulla than in the cortex of the kidney and that, among the other organs tested, is expressed only in colon and caecum. This transferase is ontogenically regulated, in that its activity is low at birth and increases as a function of age. From several aspects, the tissue distribution and the ontogenic expression of beta-4-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase and Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein are similar.