Mouse submandibular gland mucin: embryo-specific mRNA and protein species

Mouse submandibular salivary gland (SMG) mucin is the primary histodifferentiation product of submandibular epithelia. We demonstrate marked differences between embryonic, neonatal, and adult SMG mucin mRNA and protein by Northern and Western blot analyses: E17 and 1-day-old neonates exhibit two unique mucin transcripts (1.20 and 0.85 kb) which are approximately 19% greater or smaller in size than the single (1.01 kb) adult transcript. Two embryonic protein isoforms (Mr approximately 110 and 152 kDa) are immunodetected compared to a single adult protein (Mr approximately 136 kDa), with the larger (approximately 152 kDa) embryonic isoform persisting in neonatal glands. Mucin transcripts are localized to the branching epithelia in E14 and older SMGs, with increased hybridization signal being seen in terminal bud and proacinar epithelial cells with age; a significant 26% increase in transcript levels is detected by RNase protection assay between E14 and E19. By contrast, submandibular mucin protein is not immunodetected until E17, being primarily immunolocalized to terminal bud and proacinar epithelial cell membranes. Our data clearly shows that substantial qualitative differences exist between embryonic and adult SMG mucin mRNA and protein.