title: Polymorphisms in mucin genes in the development of gastric cancer.
abstract: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In areas of high prevalence, such as Japan, South Korea and China, most cases of GC are related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which involves well-characterized sequential stages, including infection, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and GC. Mucins are the most abundant high-molecular-weight glycoproteins in mucus, which is the first line of defense and plays a major role in blocking pathogenic factors. Normal gastric mucosa shows expression of MUC1, MUC5AC and MUC6 that is specific to cell type. However, the specific pattern of MUC1, MUC5AC and MUC6 expression is changed in gastric carcinogenesis, accompanied by de novo expression of secreted MUC2. Recent studies have provided evidence that variations in these mucin genes affect many steps of GC development, such as H. pylori infection, and gastric precancerous lesions. In this review, we focus on studies of the association between polymorphisms in mucin genes and development of GC. This information should be helpful for the early detection, surveillance, and treatment of GC.
authors.affiliation: Rong Wen, Fang Gao, Cheng-Jiang Zhou, Yan-Bin Jia, School of Basic Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014060, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Rong Wen, Fang Gao, Cheng-Jiang Zhou, Yan-Bin Jia, School of Basic Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014060, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Rong Wen, Fang Gao, Cheng-Jiang Zhou, Yan-Bin Jia, School of Basic Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014060, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Rong Wen, Fang Gao, Cheng-Jiang Zhou, Yan-Bin Jia, School of Basic Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014060, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Bin
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Jia
keywords: Association study; Atrophic gastritis; Gastric cancer; Genetic polymorphism; Helicobacter pylori; Mucin; Risk