Expression of human mucin genes during normal and abnormal renal development.
Human mucin genes encode large O-glycoproteins, which are expressed in various epithelial tissues. The proteins are the main components of mucus, but also might be involved in morphogenesis of or carcinogenesis in many organs. We studied the expression of human mucin genes during fetal kidney development and in malformed cystic renal diseases in 10 normal fetal kidneys and 12 malformed kidneys by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis. MUC1, MUC3, and MUC6 were expressed in normal fetal kidney. MUC1 was expressed from 7.5 weeks of gestation in the metanephric blastema and throughout fetal life in the ureteric buds, distal convoluted tubules, and collecting ducts. MUC3 was expressed weakly in immature tubules from 8 weeks of gestation, after which it was expressed weakly and focally in the proximal convoluted tubules. MUC6 was expressed at 9.5 weeks of gestation in the tips of the ureteric buds and later in the collecting ducts. In malformative cystic diseases, only MUC1 expression was retained; no expression of MUC6 and MUC3 was observed. These results implicate human mucin genes (MUC1, MUC3, and MUC6) in renal morphogenesis processes.
Leroy
Xavier
X
Unit INSERM U560, Department of Pathology, University Hospitals, Lille, France.
Devisme
Louise
L
Buisine
Marie-Pierre
MP
Copin
Marie-Christine
MC
Aubert
Sebastien
S
Gosselin
Bernard
B
Aubert
Jean-Pierre
JP
Porchet
Nicole
N
D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism*; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D017044:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Recessive / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D009077:Mucins