Localization and Molecular Size of Mucin2 Glycoproteins Forming the Gut Mucosal Barrier in the Indonesian Indigenous Naked Neck and Normal Feathered Chickens

Abstract

The cecum of chicken gut may be more susceptible to pathogens because of colonization of microbes. Lower segment of gut is also the primary tissue where microorganisms may invade from external environment colonizing in the cloaca. Mucin composed of glycoproteins play signi cant roles in the barrier against infection on the mucosal surface. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the mucosal barrier formation in the lower segment of gut between Indonesian naked neck and normal feathered chickens. The lower segments of gut (rectum, colon, and cecal tonsil) of Indonesian indigenous naked neck and normal chickens were collected. The expression of mucin2 gene in the gut mucosa was analyzed by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Localization and molecular size of the mucosal glycoproteins were analyzed by western blot methods. WGA and Jacalin lectins were used for western blot analysis. Mucin-2 gene was expressed in mucosal gut of rectum, colon, and cecal tonsil in both naked neck and normal chickens. Western blot analysis showed single band in both WGA and Jacalin in mucosal gut of rectum, colon, and cecal tonsil in both naked neck and normal chickens. These results suggest that mucin2 gene as well as glycoprotein containing WGA and Jacalin positive sugars covers the surface of mucosal gut in both naked neck and normal chickens, probably to form mucosal barrier.