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Lectin Histochemical Aspects of Mucus Function in the Oesophagus of the Reticulated Python ( Python reticulatus )
Author(s) -
Meyer W.,
Luz S.,
Schnapper A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2009.00931.x
Subject(s) - mucus , python (programming language) , lectin , biology , mucin , epithelium , fucose , glycoprotein , pathology , chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , computer science , ecology , operating system
Summary Using lectin histochemistry, the study characterizes basic functional aspects of the mucus produced by the oesophageal epithelium of the Reticulated python ( Python reticulatus ). Reaction staining varied as related to the two epithelium types present, containing goblet cells and ciliary cells. Remarkable intensities were achieved especially in the luminal mucus layer and the fine mucus covering the epithelial ciliary border for Con A (α‐D‐Man; α‐D‐Glc) as part of neutral glycoproteins, Limax flavus agglutinin (NeuNac = NeuNgc), emphasizing that water binding hyaluronan provides a hydrated interface conductive to the passage of material and UEA‐I (α‐L‐Fuc), corroborating the view that fucose‐rich highly viscous mucus is helpful against mechanical stress during prey transport.