Heterogeneity and persistence length in human ocular mucins

Round, A. N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9026-0620, Berry, M., McMaster, T. J., Stoll, S., Gowers, D., Corfield, A. P. and Miles, M. J. (2002) Heterogeneity and persistence length in human ocular mucins. Biophysical Journal, 83 (3). pp. 1661-1670. ISSN 0006-3495

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Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to investigate the heterogeneity and flexibility of human ocular mucins and their subunits. We have paid particular attention, in terms of theory and experiment, to the problem of inducing the polymers to assume equilibrium conformations at a surface. Mucins deposited from a buffer containing Ni2+ ions adopt extended conformations on mica akin to those observed for DNA under similar conditions. The heterogeneity of the intracellular native mucins is evident from a histogram of contour lengths, reflecting, in part, the diversity of mucin gene products expressed. Reduction of the native mucin with dithiothreitol, thereby breaking the S=S bonds between cysteine residues, causes a marked reduction in polymer length. These results reflect the modes of transport and assembly of newly synthesized mucins in vivo. By modifying the worm-like chain model for applicability to two dimensions, we have confirmed that under the conditions employed mucin adsorbs to mica in an equilibrated conformation. The determined persistence length of the native mucin, 36 nm, is consistent with that of an extended, flexible polymer; such characteristics will influence the properties of the gels formed in vivo.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	muc2,flexibility,atomic-force microscopy,mica,identification,dna,pseudomonas-aeruginosa,muc5ac,human conjunctiva,c-terminal cleavage
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Pharmacy (former - to 2024)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutical Materials (former - to 2017)
Depositing User:	Rachel Smith
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2011 09:36
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2024 10:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/31964
DOI:	10.1016/S0006-3495(02)73934-9

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