Glycoconjugate histochemistry and nNOS immunolocalization in the mantle and foot epithelia of <i>Tapes philippinarum</i> (bivalve mollusc)

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans and NO synthase probably regulate mucous cell secretion in the skin of <i>Tapes philippinarum</i>. We have demonstrated the presence of "protein" cells, "glycogen" cells, "phenol" cells and five types of mucous cells, with different chemical composition of the mucus in the mantle epithelium of <i>T. philippinarum</i>. The foot epithelium contained "protein" cells and two types of mucous cells. Using biotinylated lectins, in the mantle and foot epithelia we have shown specific sites for the following oligosaccharides: &#945;-D-glucose, &#945;-D-mannose, &#945;-L-fucose, &#945;-D-1,3-N-acetyl-galactosamine and &#945;-N-acetyl-glucosamine. nNOS immunoreactivity in the intraepithelial and intradermal cells and in the mucocytes suggested a regulatory role of NO in mucus secretion, as demonstrated also in other invertebrates.

Keywords

• Glycoconjugates
• nNOS
• Mantle
• Foot
• TTapes philippinarum