The carbohydrates of human submaxillary glycoproteins in secretors and non-secretors of blood group substances

Chemical analyses of human submaxillary salivary gland secretions from individuals of various blood types and blood group secretor statuses revealed a relationship between secretor status and the composition of total submaxillary glycoproteins. The dialyzed secretions from both secretors and non-secretors contained sialic acid, d-galactose, l-fucose, d-glucosamine, d-galactosamine, and protein. Half of the total hexose, one-third of the nitrogen-containing material and minor amounts of hexosamine were dialyzable. None of the sialic acid and fucose components was dialyzable.

The submaxillary saliva of secretors had a higher concentration of protein-bound carbohydrates than that of non-secretors and had about three times as much fucose. The ratio of sialic acid/fucose was 0.62±0.10 (S.D.) for secretors and 1.87±0.25 (S.D.) for non-secretors. There was a predictable relationship among the various carbohydrates in each type of secretion, and no major differences were observed among individuals of different blood types.