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 i ntestines. Quantitative differences have been observed in the relative upta ke of radiosulfate in the various labeled cells of each organ. Incorporatio n by the colon in goblet cells exceeded that elsewhere. In the deeper goble t cells of the colonic crypts, label migration progressed slowly, during th e time tested, from the supranuclear Golgi region to the deep portion of th e mucous goblet. However, it extended quickly throughout the mucosubstance in the goblet in the superficial goblet cells in the crypts. The HID staini ng which is considered specific for demonstration of sulfated complex carbo hydrates, correlated well with the radioautographic evidence of radiosulfat e incorporation. Goblet cells deeper in the colonic crypts differed from th ose higher in the crypts in showing weaker staining for carbohydrates, less er accumulation of secretion in the apical cytoplasm and distinct staining of a supranuclear focus interpreted as being the Golgi zone. The radioautog raphic and cytochemical staining differences between secretory cells in the deeper region compared with the upper region of the colonic crypts are con sidered to reflect differences in the rate of transport of secretory produc ts 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 respe ctive organs.