title: Mucin genes expressed by human female reproductive tract epithelia.
abstract: Recent characterizations of mucins at the molecular level indicate that at least eight mucin genes are expressed by epithelia of mucosal surfaces. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these cloned mucins, designated MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC6, and MUC7, are expressed by epithelia of the female reproductive tract. Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were performed using RNA and tissue from surgically removed human reproductive tract specimens including endocervix, ectocervix, vagina, endometrium, and fallopian tube. Complementary DNA to the tandem repeat regions of MUCs 1, 2, 3, 5AC, 5B, and 6; oligonucleotides to the tandem repeat regions of MUCs 4, 6, and 7; and antibodies that recognize unique mucin tandem repeats were used. The data demonstrate that the endocervical epithelium expresses five mucin genes: MUCs 1, 4, 5AC, 5B, and 6. The ectocervical and vaginal epithelia express MUCs 1 and 4, although vaginal expression of MUC4 appears patchy. Endometrial epithelium expresses MUC1 and low amounts of MUC6. MUC6 immunoreactivity was detected only is scattered endometrial glands located in the basalis region in specimens from pre- and postmenopausal women. The only mucin detected in the fallopian tube was MUC1. These data indicate that the endocervical epithelium expresses multiple mucin genes and that the stratified epithelia of the ectocervix and vagina also produce mucins that may function in reproductive processes and protection of the reproductive tract tissues.
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. gipson@vision.eri.harvard.edu
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Gipson
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Spurr-Michaud
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tisdale
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Torlakovic
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pudney
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Toribara
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009077:Mucins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins