School of Biology and School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Biomacromolecules. 2010 Apr 12;11(4):883-8. doi: 10.1021/bm9012106.
The gel-forming properties of mucus are closely related to its functioning; although there is limited information available relating to coral mucus gels. The present study investigates coral mucus glycoprotein using rheological methods. We demonstrate the presence of a high-molecular-weight polymeric glycoprotein similar to that found in vertebrates, capable of forming a gel. The milked mucus exuded mostly from the oral cavity of corals is not a gel; however, it does show a tendency to form a gel upon concentration. Such results indicate the potential for corals to produce two different kinds of mucus, each potentially capable of performing different functions.
黏液的胶凝特性与其功能密切相关；尽管有关珊瑚黏液凝胶的信息有限。本研究使用流变学方法研究珊瑚黏液糖蛋白。我们证明了存在类似于脊椎动物的高分子量聚合糖蛋白，它能够形成凝胶。从珊瑚口腔中挤出的奶状黏液本身不是凝胶，但在浓缩时确实有形成凝胶的趋势。这些结果表明珊瑚可能产生两种不同类型的黏液，每种黏液都可能具有不同的功能。
