Radioautographic study of the synthesis of sulfomucin in digestive organs of mice

Incorporation of (Na2SO4)-S-35 into sulfated complex carbohydrates has been investigated by radioautography in the mouse stomach and small and large intestines. Quantitative differences have been observed in the relative uptake of radiosulfate in the various labeled cells of each organ. Incorporation by the colon in goblet cells exceeded that elsewhere. In the deeper goblet cells of the colonic crypts, label migration progressed slowly, during the time tested, from the supranuclear Golgi region to the deep portion of the mucous goblet. However, it extended quickly throughout the mucosubstance in the goblet in the superficial goblet cells in the crypts. The HID staining which is considered specific for demonstration of sulfated complex carbohydrates, correlated well with the radioautographic evidence of radiosulfate incorporation. Goblet cells deeper in the colonic crypts differed from those higher in the crypts in showing weaker staining for carbohydrates, lesser accumulation of secretion in the apical cytoplasm and distinct staining of a supranuclear focus interpreted as being the Golgi zone. The radioautographic and cytochemical staining differences between secretory cells in the deeper region compared with the upper region of the colonic crypts are considered to reflect differences in the rate of transport of secretory products in the theca and in the rate of secretion at deeper levels in the crypt. These results show the time differences of glycoprotein synthesis in respective organs.