[Normal human conjunctival epithelium expresses MUC13, MUC15, MUC16 and MUC17 mucin genes].
OBJECTIVE
The ocular surface epithelia express at least five mucin genes of the total of 17 human mucin genes that have been identified so far. This study was designed to determine the expression profile of mucin genes in conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) samples from healthy subjects.


METHODS
Two polyethersulfone filters were applied to the superior conjunctiva of both eyes from eight healthy donors. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using isolated and retrotranscripted total RNA obtained from the CIC samples to study the expression of all known human mucin genes. Following amplification, PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide to confirm that only a single band was obtained when amplifying all cDNAs with the convenient primers.


RESULTS
Transcripts of the previously reported conjunctival mucin genes MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC7 were detected in all samples. In addition, transcripts of MUC13, MUC15, MUC16 and MUC17 mucin genes also were detected. Amplified products by conventional PCR showed the expected amplicon size. Transcripts of MUC3A, MUC3B, MUC5B, MUC6, MUC8, MUC11, and MUC12 mucin genes were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of four additional mucin mRNA (MUC13, MUC15, MUC16, and MUC17) has been proved in human conjunctival epithelium from healthy donors for the first time. The function of these genes remains to be further elucidated.
Corrales
R M
RM
Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, España. corrales@ioba.med.uva.es
Galarreta
D J
DJ
Herreras
J M
JM
Calonge
M
M
Chaves
F J
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018394:CA-125 Antigen; C429552:MUC13 protein, human; C460499:MUC15 protein, human; C451759:MUC16 protein, human; C450720:MUC17 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009077:Mucins