Gluten, a lectin with oligomannosyl specificity and the causative agent of gluten-sensitive enteropathy
Köttgen, E.; Volk, B.; Kluge, F.; Gerok, W.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 109(1): 168-173
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-291X PMID: 7159419 Document Number: 193877
The pathogenesis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease is as yet unknown. Laser nephelometric measurements demonstrate that gluten has lectin-like properties. Gluten binds high-mannose type glycoproteins and the complex formation is inhibitable by mannan. As known for other lectins, the reaction is absolutely Ca-dependent. Glycoproteins from the immature crypt cells from the small intestine are highly more reactive than glycoproteins from the mature villous zone. The possibility of a genetically determined deficiency of the growth-dependent N-acetyl-glucosaminyltransferase-1 as the pathogenic factor of the gluten-sensitive enteropathy is discussed.