Localization of a mouse submandibular sialomucin by indirect immunofluorescence.

A sialomucin from the mouse submandibular gland was localized in the gland by indirect immunofluorescence. Fluorescence was localized over the acinar cells and, to a lesser extent, in the lumen of the ducts. The mucin antiserum did not show cross-reactivity with cells from the sublingual gland or with other mucous-producing cells from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of the mouse, or with salivary gland tissue of the rat. The sialomucin lacks both sulphate and L-fucose. Localization of a mucin with such a composition, within acinar cells of the mouse submandibular gland, is consistent with previous observations from histochemistry and autoradiography.