Discovery: New Protein Secretory System in the Colon

Aug. 4, 2009 - PRLog -- Bi-Biomics announces the discovery of a new biological system in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract!  Using UltraLight Histology to process colon biopsy samples the system was detected and studied at 1600X in light microscopy.  It is a secretory system associated with the mucous in goblet cells in the colon.  For one hundred years this has been known as inspissated mucous – that is – dried out mucous.  It has been accepted without question until now.

The ultrastructure and fine details were uniquely available in light microscopy with the UltraLight system.  This high end, low cost method was used to identify actual secretory features of this system on gastrointestinal biopsies.  The next step was to identify the proteomics of the system.  

Material was outsourced to Expression Pathology in Maryland for laser capture.  The resulting material was forwarded to the Mayo Clinic Proteomics Laboratory.  The samples were subjected to GC-MS/MS (gas chromatographic and mass spectral analysis). The result was a gold-mine.  What was once only thought of as inspissated mucous actually turns out to be a significant secretion of proteins.  

The proteins are predominantly identified as Cytokeratin I and Cytokeratin II in equal proportions.  The secretion gives quantitative information that suggests approximately 4-6 grams of these cytokeratins are exported daily accompanying the glycoprotein of mucous.  There were other proteins identified in much smaller amounts, giving the indication that this system is a deliberate protein excretion system.  

The clinical significance was indicated early on in this discovery.  It was first noted to be absent in a significant number of patients with a history of chronic diarrhea.  While the family of cytokeratins is known to react with a host of different proteins, the function of this system is not yet fully known.  It is hypothesized that it plays a role in stabilizing the boundary mucous layer lining the colon.    

Bi-Biomics is searching for interested collaborators in the next step identifying clinical significance.  This may give hope to the vast population that suffers from chronic diarrhea.   If the functionality and correlation to GI illnesses can be worked out, the patients will know it is not “all in their head.”

Bi-Biomics is a life science discovery company from Nampa, Idaho.  Our histology solutions have been in clinical practice for over 15 years.   Now they can be yours to make a difference in the lives of your patients.  For more information on the secretion system visit Bi-Biomics on the web at http://www.bi-biomics.com.

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About Bi-Biomics: We are a life science research and development company based in Nampa, Idaho. We have many exciting areas of research that start in the basics of cellular biology. We are committed to fighting cancer and bringing new information forward in that fight. Our research is ground-breaking and our commercial platforms will provide new tools in the fight for personalized medicine and the personal treatment that every patient deserves.

We offer a complete solution of products for World-Class Histology- from tissue preparation, processing and staining. We also provide tissue processing and IHC services and consulting.