Acidic beta-galactosidase in the developing mouse submandibular gland.

Acidic beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) is expressed at high concentrations in the salivary glands, where its function is unknown but probably related to lysosomal catabolism of glycolipids or glycoproteins such as mucin. Here, the developmental pattern of the enzyme activity in the submandibular gland of B10A/SGSNJ mice was investigated in relation to the expression of mucin. Biochemical studies indicated that the activity of acidic beta-gal increases significantly from birth to 3 weeks of age (P<0.