Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2025
Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins
Published on: June 14, 2016
Dynamic expression of mucins and the genes controlling mucin-type O-glycosylation within the mouse respiratory system
E Tian1, Zulfeqhar A Syed1, Matthew L Edin2
1Developmental Glycobiology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-4370, USA.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 global pandemic has underscored the need to understand how viruses and other pathogens are able to infect and replicate within the respiratory system. Recent studies have highlighted the role of highly O-glycosylated mucins in the protection of the respiratory system as well as how mucin-type O-glycosylation may be able to modify viral infectivity. Therefore, we set out to identify the specific genes controlling mucin-type O-glycosylation throughout the mouse respiratory system as well as determine how their expression and the expression of respiratory mucins is influenced by infection or injury. Here, we show that certain mucins and members of the Galnt family are abundantly expressed in specific respiratory tissues/cells and demonstrate unique patterns of O-glycosylation across diverse respiratory tissues. Moreover, we find that the expression of certain Galnts and mucins is altered during lung infection and injury in experimental mice challenged with infectious agents, toxins, and allergens. Finally, we examine gene expression changes of Galnts and mucins in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our work provides foundational knowledge regarding the specific expression of Galnt enzyme family members and mucins throughout the respiratory system, and how their expression is altered upon lung infection and injury.
Insights
Researchers identified genes controlling respiratory mucin O-glycosylation in mice. Their expression changes with lung infection and injury, offering insights into viral defense mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- * Glycoscience and Respiratory Pathobiology
Background:
- * Highly O-glycosylated mucins protect the respiratory system.
- * Mucin O-glycosylation influences viral infectivity, a critical factor during pandemics.
- * Understanding these mechanisms is vital for respiratory health and disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify genes regulating mucin-type O-glycosylation in the mouse respiratory system.
- * To determine how gene expression and mucin expression are affected by infection or injury.
- * To investigate alterations in Galnt and mucin gene expression during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of Galnt (polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase) and mucin gene expression in mouse respiratory tissues.
- * Experimental induction of lung infection and injury using various agents (pathogens, toxins, allergens).
- * Gene expression profiling in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Main Results:
- * Specific mucins and Galnt family members show distinct expression patterns in respiratory tissues.
- * O-glycosylation patterns vary across different respiratory tissues.
- * Expression of certain Galnts and mucins is significantly altered following lung infection and injury.
- * Gene expression changes in Galnts and mucins were observed in a SARS-CoV-2 mouse model.
Conclusions:
- * Provides foundational knowledge on Galnt enzyme and mucin expression in the respiratory system.
- * Demonstrates that Galnt and mucin expression is dynamically regulated by infection and injury.
- * Highlights the potential role of mucin O-glycosylation in respiratory host defense and viral pathogenesis.
