Human glandular salivas: their separate collection and analysis

Abstract

Human saliva is secreted by the three pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual), and numerous minor ones, e.g. labial, buccal and (glosso)palatine glands. Using individually adapted collection devices, sublingual, submandibular, parotid and palatine secretions of five individuals were collected and analyzed. Electrophoretic analysis revealed that each type of saliva possesses characteristic features, despite interindividual variations. Parotid salivas are characterized by intensely staining amylase and proline-rich protein bands, but contain minute amounts of cystatins, lysozyme and the extra-parotid glycoprotein. Sublingual salivas are characterized by high concentrations of both types of salivary mucins, MG1 and MG2, and contain relatively high levels of lysozyme. Submandibular salivas contain highest concentration of salivary cystatin S. Palatine secretions contain high molecular weight mucins and a relatively high amylase concentration.

Elevated salivary protein in Parkinson's disease and salivary DJ-1 as a potential marker of disease severity

“…Amylase is the most abundant protein in saliva and is primarily secreted by the parotid glands and lesser amounts from the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands [9]; therefore, an increase in salivary amylase in patients with PD might suggest that the additional protein in patient saliva is coming from these glands. Salivary amylase was higher among patients with PD than controls (Fig 2b), and was positively correlated with total protein concentration (Fig 2c), suggesting that over--secretion of protein by the submandibular, sublingual and parotid glands may account for the higher protein concentration in the saliva of patients with PD.…”

“…Salivary mucins are primarily produced by minor mucous salivary glands [9] and therefore an increase in salivary mucins in patients with PD might suggest that the additional protein in their saliva is derived from these glands. However, no difference was observed between the salivary mucin concentration in patient and control saliva (Fig 2a) and salivary mucin concentration was not correlated with either total protein concentration or DJ--1 concentration, suggesting that the additional DJ--1 and total protein in the saliva of patients with PD was not coming from the minor salivary glands.…”

Genetic polymorphism of MUC7: Allele frequencies and association with asthma

“…26 Samples were mixed 1 : 1 with 26 sample buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 6.8, 2% SDS, 10 mM DTT, 12.5% glycerol, bromophenol blue) and boiled for 5 min. The concentration of MUC7 was estimated by ELISA as described previously and approximately equal amounts were loaded onto the gel.…”

Salivary proteome and glucose levels are related with sweet taste sensitivity in young adults

“…It is also relevant to point out that the forms of cystatins that were related to sweet taste sensitivity in males and females were not the same: whereas in males it was type-S cystatins that differed between groups, in females the variations were mainly at the level of cystatin B. The presence of these forms in saliva appears to derive from different origins and may have different actions: cystatins of S-type are mainly secreted by submandibular salivary glands [33], whereas cystatin B derives mainly from plasma [34]. As such, and similarly to what was stated for CA VI, further studies that may elucidate the mechanisms through which these proteins can influence sweet taste perception are necessary.…”