Which statement describes the effect of hyaluronidase on connective tissue mucins in this protocol?

• A. Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfates are digested
• B. Epithelial mucins are digested
• C. All mucins are digested
• D. No mucins are digested

Answer: (A)

Hyaluronidase targets the extracellular matrix components of connective tissue, specifically glycosaminoglycans like hyaluronic acid and related sulfated GAGs such as chondroitin sulfates. In mucin-differentiation protocols, this enzyme digests these connective tissue mucins, effectively removing or thinning the connective tissue mucin network. In contrast, epithelial mucins are secreted as glycoproteins with different carbohydrate attachments, not substrates for hyaluronidase, so they remain after digestion. That’s why the statement stating that hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfates are digested best describes the effect. The other options imply digestion of epithelial mucins, all mucins, or no mucins at all, which doesn’t fit the enzyme’s selective action on connective tissue GAGs.