Towards a Novel Platform for Mucin Analysis

Abstract

Characterization of mucins are a difficult task because of their large molecular sizes, highly heterogeneity of glycosylation, and resistance to proteases. For the discovery of mucin biomarkers, supported molecular matrix electrophoresis (SMME), a relatively easy technique for mucin separation, has been developed. Using SMME, mucins and their O-linked glycans from pancreatic juice, cultured cells, and salivary glands were characterized. Furthermore, chemical inertness of the SMME membranes was effectively utilized to develop a novel staining method and glycan stripping method for mucins located on the membrane.