title: Expression of the MUC 6 mucin gene in development of the human kidney and male genital ducts.
abstract: The MUC 6 mucin cDNA was isolated from a human stomach cDNA library and has been shown to be expressed in a number of other tissues in the gastrointestinal tract, including the gallbladder, pancreas, and parts of the ileum and colon. Here we establish that MUC 6 is expressed transiently in the nephrogenic zone of the kidney in the early mid-trimester of development. MUC 6 transcripts were detected in the epithelium of ureteric buds at 13 weeks and at lower levels from 17 to 23 weeks of gestation. Traces of MUC 6 mRNA were seen in the collecting ducts but not elsewhere in the developing kidney, and MUC 6 glycoprotein was detected in the epithelium of ureteric buds and collecting ducts. MUC 6 transcripts were absent from adult kidney. This pattern of expression of MUC 6 in the developing kidney suggests a role in epithelial organogenesis. MUC 6 transcripts were also present at low levels in mid-trimester epididymal epithelium.
mesh_terms: D004822:Epididymis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D055272:Mucin-6; D009077:Mucins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors