title: MUC1 expression in hematopoietic tissues.
abstract: The MUC1 gene encodes the core protein of episialin, which is recognized by several antibodies. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of MUC1 transcripts has been proposed for the detection of micrometastases from breast cancers. MUC1 expression in hematopoietic tissues has been reported but not confirmed. Our preliminary RT-PCR studies confirmed MUC1 expression by MDA-231 breast cancer cells. Western blots of MDA-231 proteins stained with anti-MUC1 core gave one 68-kd (core protein) band, with an additional high molecular weight (HMW) band in blots stained with anti-epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). MUC1 expression was detectable by RT-PCR in 4 samples each of peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymph node. MUC1 expression was detectable by Western blot analysis using anti-MUC1 core and anti-EMA in 2 peripheral blood samples and all bone marrow samples. Western blots from all lymph node samples stained positively with anti-EMA for the HMW product, but the 68-kd product was less prominent. Separated peripheral blood lymphocytes and granulocytes showed similar levels of MUC1 expression. RT-PCR studies demonstrated MUC1 expression in various hematopoietic cell lines. Western blots showed the 68-kd and HMW products in a granulopoietic line, with only the 68-kd product in 3 lymphoblastoid lines. MUC1 is expressed ubiquitously in hematopoietic tissues and is unsuitable for use as a marker for epithelial micrometastases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7525, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dent
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Civalier
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brecher
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bentley
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000276:immunology; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000276:immunology*; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018396:Mucin-1; D012313:RNA