title: The MUC6 secretory mucin gene is expressed in a wide variety of epithelial tissues.
abstract: Secretory mucins play an important role in the cytoprotection of epithelial surfaces and are used as tumour markers in a variety of cancers. The MUC6 secretory mucin was originally isolated from a gastric cDNA library. The aim was to determine the specific type and location of MUC6 mucin gene expression in a wide range of human adult and fetal epithelial tissues. In situ hybridization, RNA analysis, and immunohistochemistry were used to quantify and localize mucin gene expression. The data obtained show that MUC6 is highly expressed in gastric mucosa, duodenal Brunner's glands, gall bladder, seminal vesicle, pancreatic centroacinar cells and ducts, and periductal glands of the common bile duct; focal expression is seen in basal endometrial and endocervical glands. MUC6 epitopes were also highly expressed in 7/10 pancreatic cancers and 7/10 cholangiocarcinomas and focally expressed in 4/10 endocervical adenocarcinomas. Expression of MUC6 occurs early in fetal development and was observed in Brunner's glands and pancreatic ducts at 18-19 weeks and in gastric glands at 20 weeks' gestation. The tissue distribution of the MUC6 secretory mucin indicates that it may function to protect epithelial tissues from a wide range of substances. Expression of MUC6 is frequently preserved in pancreatic and bile duct adenocarcinomas, but it is only sparsely expressed in endocervical carcinomas.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Bartman
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Buisine
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Aubert
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Niehans
authors: N W
authors: NW
authors: Toribara
authors: Y S
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Kelly
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Crabtree
authors: S B
authors: SB
authors: Ho
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C524734:MUC6 protein, human; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012313:RNA