Summary
The pathogenesis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy is as yet unknown. According to one theory gluten may act as a lectin with toxic properties for the intestinal cells.
We can now confirm this theory by laser nephelometric measurements and demonstrate the oligomannosyl specificity of this lectin-like protein gluten. Furthermore, we demonstrate the highly more intensive binding capacity of gluten for the glycoproteins of the immature crypt cells of the intestinal brush border compared to those from the mature villous zone. It is discussed that gluten-sensitive enteropathy is caused by a genetically determined defect-glycosylation of intestinal glycoproteins with the synthesis of more mannosylated glycoproteins.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Falchuk ZM, Nelson DL, Katz AJ, Bernardin JE, Kaasarda DD (1980) Gluten-sensitive enteropathy. J Clin Invest 66:227–233
Frazer AC, Fletcher RF, Ross CAC, Shaw B, Sammons HG, Schneider R (1959) Gluten-induced enteropathy. The effect of partially digested gluten. Lancet 2:252–255
Köttgen E, Bauer Ch, Gerok W (1979) Laser nephelometry of lectin-glycoprotein complexes: A new method for their quantitation and differentiation. Analyt Biochem 96:391–394
Köttgen E, Bauer Ch, Ehlerding U, Gerok W (1981) Concanavalin A, a receptor protein with apparently co-operative binding characteristics. Biochem J 193:659–662
Kornfeld S (1982) Glycoprotein biosynthesis. In: M.I. Horowitz (ed) The glycoconjugates, vol III. Academic Press, New York, pp 3–23
Lorenzsonn V, Olsen WA (1982) In vivo responses of rat intestinal epithelium to intraluminal dietary lectins. Gastroenterology 82:838–848
Schachter H (1978) Glycoprotein biosynthesis. In: Horowitz MI, Pigman W (eds) The glycoconjugates, vol II. Academic Press, New York, pp 87–181
Sharon N, Lis H (1973) The biochemistry of plant lectins. Ann Rev Biochem 42:541–575
Tarentino AL, Maley F (1974) J Biol Chem 249:811–817
Weiser MM (1973) Intestinal epithelial cell surface membrane glycoprotein synthesis, an indicator of cellular differentiation. J Biol Chem 248:2536–2541
Weiser MM, Douglas AP (1976) An alternative mechanism for gluten toxicity in coeliac disease. Lancet 2:567–569
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Bonn Bad Godesberg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Köttgen, E., Kluge, F., Volk, B. et al. The lectin properties of gluten as the basis of the pathomechanism of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Klin Wochenschr 61, 111–112 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01496664
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01496664