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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel gastric-cancer-associated mucin antigen defined by a monoclonal antibody A3D4.

De-glycosylation of mucins may expose new tumor-associated core protein epitopes. In this study, to attempt to develop useful markers for gastric cancers, we have purified and de-glycosylated gastric mucin and tried to establish monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). A MAb designated A3D4 among established MAbs was shown to react with gastric cancer with high frequency, but not with normal gastric epithelium. Among normal digestive organs, only the colon and gall bladder were positive for MAb A3D4. The incidence of positivity in gastric cancer was 75% for intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (n = 28), 40% for solid-type adenocarcinoma (n = 5) and 33% for signet/scirrhous-type adenocarcinoma (n = 15). Interestingly, adenoma and intestinal metaplasia (IM) with chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer were negative for MAb A3D4, whereas 8 out of 13 cases (62%) of IM with gastric cancer was positive. Western-blot analysis using the lysate from normal colon tissues revealed a high-molecular-weight (> 300-kDa) smear-like band. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the reactivity of MAb A3D4 was clearly increased when tissue sections were pre-treated with periodic acid or O-glycanase, while it was decreased by pre-treatment with trypsin or protease V8. There was no reactivity with the synthetic peptide encompassing the tandem-repeat sequence of MUC2 or MUC3. These data suggest that MAb A3D4 detects a novel gastric-cancer-associated mucin antigen whose epitope may be peptide in nature.

Adenocarcinoma↗

MUC6 expression in breast tissues and cultured cells: abnormal expression in tumors and regulation by steroid hormones.

Neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells is commonly associated with alterations in the expression of mucin genes. The mechanisms involved in this process are largely unknown. MUC6, isolated from a stomach cDNA library, is mainly expressed in stomach antral glands, as detected by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We examined MUC6 expression in normal and pathological breast tissues using immunohistochemistry with MUC6-specific antibodies and in cultured breast cancer cells using immunocytochemistry and Northern blotting. MUC6 was generally not detected in normal breast (1/11) but was detected in fibrocystic disease without atypia (7/17, 41%), in atypical fibrocystic disease (11/11, 100%) and in carcinoma (57/60, 95%). To study the mechanisms involved in mucin gene up-regulation in breast cancer, we examined baseline, growth-related and steroid-induced levels of MUC1, MUC3 and MUC6 in 4 breast cancer cell lines, 2 of which express estrogen receptors. MUC6 levels were up-regulated at post-confluence in 2/4 cell lines, whereas no changes were detected for the other mucin genes examined. MUC6 and MUC3 were constitutively expressed, and steroid-induced, in BT-474 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. As a control, pS2 was induced in both cell lines. Our results indicate that (1) MUC6 is overexpressed in breast cancer and in benign breast disease, (2) in vitro, MUC6 and MUC3 are up-regulated by steroids and (3) abnormal expression of MUC6 in breast cancers may, in part, be explained by hormonal changes associated with tumor development.

Breast↗

The MUC3 gene encodes a transmembrane mucin and is alternatively spliced.

Epithelial mucins are a family of secreted and cell surface glycoproteins expressed by epithelial tissues and implicated in epithelial cell protection, adhesion modulation and signaling. The gene encoding human MUC3 (hMUC3), localised to chromosome 7q22, is most highly expressed in the small intestine. It has previously been reported to be a non-transmembrane mucin with minimal homology to its suggested orthologues from rat (rMuc3) and mouse (mMuc3). RT-PCR was performed to investigate the carboxyl terminus of the published sequence of hMUC3 from normal colon and small intestine tissues and also from a series of 10 colorectal cancer cell lines. Two distinct PCR products were identified. In contrast to the previously published hMUC3 sequence, which terminates shortly after a single cysteine-rich EGF-like domain, conceptual protein translation of the dominant and largest PCR product identified two extracellular cysteine-rich EGF-like domains separated by an N-glycosylation-rich domain and a potential coiled-coil region, followed by a putative transmembrane region and a 75 amino acid cytoplasmic tail. The smaller of the two PCR products was found to be an alternative splice variant of MUC3 including the first EGF-like domain but lacking part of the second EGF-like domain and the transmembrane region. Nine out of 10 colorectal cancer cell lines were found to express MUC3. Interestingly, one of the cell lines, LoVo, expressed predominantly the alternative splice form lacking a transmembrane domain. Structural homology of the new protein sequence of hMUC3 with rMuc3 and mMuc3 indicates it is closely related to the rodent proteins and is likely to be involved in ligand-binding and intracellular signaling. The new finding that MUC3 encodes a transmembrane molecule presents a new paradigm for the structure of this mucin and the manner in which it may function.

Alternative Splicing↗

Genomic organization and structure of the 3' region of human MUC3: alternative splicing predicts membrane-bound and soluble forms of the mucin.

The MUC3 gene encodes a large, glycosylated mucin produced by intestinal epithelial cells to form a protective barrier against the external environment. Recently published cDNA sequences for the carboxyl-terminal region of MUC3 polypeptide indicated that rodent Muc3 possesses two epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains, and putative transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, whereas the sequence of human MUC3 predicted termination after the first EGF-like domain. Here we describe the complete genomic sequence encompassing the carboxyl terminal region of human MUC3, revealing the boundaries of 11 exons. RT-PCR and cDNA library cloning experiments indicate that the gene is alternatively spliced, yielding a major membrane-bound form as well as multiple soluble forms. Thus, this work indicates that both membrane-bound and soluble MUC3 mucin proteins are produced by alternative splicing of a single gene. A potentially important polymorphism involving a Tyr residue with a proposed role in signalling is described as well.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Multiple transcripts of MUC3: evidence for two genes, MUC3A and MUC3B.

The MUC3 gene encodes a transmembrane mucin-type glycoprotein. A number of consistent single nucleotide changes were observed in different MUC3 cDNAs from a single individual, suggesting the presence of at least three different transcripts per individual. This transcript heterogeneity is due both to the existence of a second copy of the MUC3 gene and to allelic changes. Sequencing of the second MUC3 shows that it has the same C-terminal domain and intron/exon structure as the previously described MUC3. The tandem repeat domain has the same amino acid consensus sequence but shows more substitutions. The unique exonic sequences range from 94 to 100% identity at the nucleotide level and correspondingly few amino acid changes have been identified. The introns show around 95% identity. We propose to name this second gene MUC3B, MUC3A being reserved for the first MUC3 gene. MUC3B, like MUC3A, is expressed in intestine and Caco-2 cells.

Alleles↗

Generation of human anti-MUC3 IgG antibodies after in vitro immunization of naive peripheral blood B-lymphocytes.

It has been demonstrated that IgG antibodies can be generated to self-antigen peptides as well as against viral antigens by an antigen-specific in vitro immunization system of resting human peripheral B-lymphocytes. Using a synthetic peptide from the consensus variable tandem-repeat region of the MUC3 mucin (TSSITTTGTTSHSTPSP) as the B cell epitope, we immunized blood donor B-lymphocytes in vitro and tested for MUC3-specific antibodies by ELISA. After the primary activation step all antibodies were IgM. At the end of the secondary immunization step we obtained 1.8% (21/1138) of the cultures with IgG-switched antibodies. In a competitive inhibition ELISA using the MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4 and PIP2 peptides, only one culture (F8.1) gave satisfactory specific inhibition. Using this antibody in fluorometric studies, it stained cells from two colon carcinoma cell lines predominantly in the cytoplasm, whereas those from a breast cancer cell line stained predominantly the cell surface. In a preliminary immunohistological evaluation with formalin-fixed sections, the antibody appeared to moderately stain colon sections, but not breast sections or lymph node. This method of in vitro immunization may be a useful tool in generating IgG antibodies specific to self-antigens and could find applications in tumour targeting and immunotherapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunodetection of epithelial mucin (MUC1, MUC3) and mucin-associated glycotopes (TF, Tn, and sialosyl-Tn) in benign and malignant lesions of colonic epithelium: apolar localization corresponds to malignant transformation.

Epithelial mucins are present at the apical membranes of gastrointestinal epithelial cells or in their secretions. In this study, we examined the occurrence of peptide epitopes of the mucins MUC1 and MUC3 and of three mucin-associated glycotopes (TF, Tn, and s-Tn) in a series of colorectal tissue samples (normal colon, adenomas with different grades of dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinomas). A new monoclonal antibody to a conformation-dependent peptide epitope of MUC1 was employed, which does not react with the fully glycosylated mucin as found in normal gastrointestinal mucosa. We found that adenomas acquired the ability to expose Tn, s-Tn, TF and MUC1 epitopes, and this correlated with increasing malignant potential. The secretory mucin, MUC3, revealed a different pattern: it was detectable in all sections, with maximum expression in adenomas and decrease in carcinomas. Most importantly, normal mucosa and benign lesions showed supra-nuclear and/or apical distribution of these antigens, but malignant lesions and lesions with a very high risk of malignancy revealed diffuse cytoplasmic and basolateral membrane localization. The immunohistological response to a combination of MUC1-related antibodies may assist in assessing the malignant potential and status of lesions of the colon.

Adenoma↗

Associations of distinct variants of the intestinal mucin gene MUC3A with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), the major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). are multifactorial disorders of unknown etiology. We reported a possible association of rare variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) alleles of the "MUC3" gene with a susceptibility to UC. However, an entire structure of "MUC3" is still unknown because the long stretches of tandem repeats in this "gene" make its cloning extraordinarily difficult. In this study, we report evidence that "MUC3" consists of two genes, MUC3A and MUC3B, both of which encode membrane-bound mucins with two epidermal growth factor-like motifs, and we describe the complete 3'-terminal structures of these two genes. We have also analyzed the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exonic sequences of the 3' portions of these two genes to investigate whether sequence variations in these regions can cause person-to-person differences in the susceptibility to IBDs, and report here that non-synonymous SNPs of MUC3A, involving a tyrosine residue with a proposed role in cell signaling, may confer genetic predisposition to CD (P = 0.0132). Our findings suggest that variants of MUC3A may be involved in the occurrence of UC and CD in distinct manners.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human serum amyloid A3 peptide enhances intestinal MUC3 expression and inhibits EPEC adherence.

We previously determined that the N-terminal region of bovine mammary-associated serum amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) increased intestinal mucin MUC3 levels in HT29 human intestinal cells by approximately 2.5-fold, relative to untreated cells. This study shows that the human M-SAA3 N-terminal peptide further enhances MUC3 transcript levels by approximately 4.3-fold in these cells (p<0.02), implicating a species-specific interaction. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis using a MUC3-specific monoclonal antibody confirms that the human M-SAA3 peptide stimulates MUC3 protein expression and secretion by the HT29 cells. More importantly, pretreatment of the cells with the peptide causes a subsequent 73% decrease in the adherence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) to these cells, relative to untreated cells (p<0.01). The intestinal mucin MUC3 has been shown to provide a protective barrier in the gut and inhibit adherence of pathogens to the gut wall. Therefore, a means to increase MUC3 protein expression by a colostrum-associated peptide or protein may be a highly effective prophylactic treatment for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis and infectious diarrhea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Quantitative RT-PCR assay for MUC3 and VEGF mRNA in renal clear cell carcinoma: relationship with nuclear grade and prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, the expression of MUC3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to correlate them with histologic parameters and with prognosis. Human mucins are large O-glycoproteins expressed in epithelial tissues. Deregulation of mucin genes has been demonstrated in several epithelial neoplasms. In the kidney, MUC3 is expressed in normal convoluted tubules and in renal clear cell carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-six renal clear cell carcinoma specimens were studied. For all tumors, samples of normal and tumor kidney were frozen. After RNA extraction, using ultracentrifugation through a cesium chloride cushion, VEGF and MUC3 mRNA were analyzed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The pathologic parameters included Fuhrman nuclear grade and TNM stage. All follow-up data were available. RESULTS: The median level of MUC3 and VEGF expression was greater in tumor areas compared with normal areas (P < 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). The MUC3 tumor/normal tissue expression ratio was greater in nuclear grade 3 tumor than in low grades (grade 1-2; P < 0.005). No statistically significant relationship was found with the prognosis for MUC3 and VEGF in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that MUC3 and VEGF are overexpressed in renal clear cell carcinoma, and the MUC3 expression ratio is greater in nuclear grade 3 than in grades 1 and 2 (low grades) tumor. These findings suggest the implication of MUC3 in renal carcinogenesis.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

Characterization of the mouse Muc3 membrane bound intestinal mucin 5' coding and promoter regions: regulation by inflammatory cytokines.

The mouse Muc3 mucin is a membrane-bound glycoprotein highly expressed in the intestinal tract. We have characterized the mouse Muc3 5' structure and regulation of its promoter by cytokines and growth factors. The first two exons of Muc3 are separated by an intron of over 8 kb. Exon 3 contains the tandem repeat domain. Ten exons reside 3' to the tandem repeat domain. The 5' nonrepetitive sequence contains 104 amino acids characterized by a putative signal sequence, a single cysteine and 28% serine/threonine. No TATA box is found near the transcription start site. The promoter has consensus binding sites for AP1, CREB, SP1, NF kappa B, GATA binding protein and Cdx. Muc3 promoter constructs demonstrate that IL4, IL6, EGF or PMA increased promoter activity to 35-58% of control. TNF alpha and IFN gamma showed lesser stimulation. These data indicate that cytokines and growth factors are capable of regulating Muc3 gene expression, suggesting that this protein may play an active role in intestinal mucosal defense.

5' Flanking Region↗

Deglycosylation by gaseous hydrogen fluoride of mucus glycoproteins immobilized on nylon membranes and in microtiter wells.

Strongly reacting antibodies specific for defined mucin gene products are often directed against the mucin protein backbone of the heavily glycosylated serine/threonine rich regions. A prerequisite for the use of such antibodies is often the complete removal of the oligosaccharides from the protein. This paper describes an efficient one-step deglycosylation method using gaseous hydrogen fluoride on nylon blotting membranes and microtiter wells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Coordinated Muc2 and Muc3 mucin gene expression in Trichinella spiralis infection in wild-type and cytokine-deficient mice.

Mucin hypersecretion is an important component of the immune response to gastrointestinal nematode infection. Two discrete types of mucin proteins exist in the mouse intestine, secretory Muc2 and membrane-bound Muc3. We examined Muc2 and Muc3 expression in wild-type mice and mice lacking gamma interferon receptor (IFNgammaR-/-), tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1-/-) and interleukin 4 (IL4-/-) infected with Trichinella spiralis. Infected wild-type mice demonstrated significant goblet cell hyperplasia and increased mucin glycoprotein. In situ hybridization showed this was accompanied by increases in Muc2 and Muc3 mRNA. Total intestinal mucin protein and Muc2 and Muc3 mRNA levels were also significantly increased in cytokine-deficient mice. These data demonstrate the coordinated up-regulation of two types of mucin genes in response to T. spiralis infection and may form the basis of an innate mucosal response independent of IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-4.

Animals↗

Alkali-catalyzed beta-elimination of periodate-oxidized glycans: a novel method of chemical deglycosylation of mucin gene products in paraffin embedded sections.

Altered expression of mucin gene products has been described in many epithelial cancers including colorectal cancer. However, mucins are heavily O-glycosylated making the study of apomucin expression difficult. In this study, we describe a novel method of chemical deglycosylation of mucin gene products on paraffin embedded formalin-fixed tissue sections. In the normal and cancerous colorectum, our results suggest that alkali-catalyzed beta-elimination of periodate oxidized glycan method of chemical deglycosylation modifies the structure of carbohydrates sensitive to mild periodate oxidation resulting in less steric hindrance and selectively removes Tn and sialyl-Tn structures, partially exposing the underlying apomucin epitopes. Using this method, we have demonstrated that the MUC1 tandem repeat epitope recognized by MAb 139H2 is masked predominantly due to steric hindrance by carbohydrate structures whereas the MUC2 tandem repeat epitope recognized by MAb CCP58 and pAb MRP and the MUC3 tandem repeat epitope recognized by pAb M3P are masked by the presence of carbohydrate side chains O-linked to Ser/Thr residues within the epitope. Considerable differences in the level and pattern of expression of the epitopes in the tandem repeat region of apomucins of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC3 were observed between normal and cancerous colorectal cancer tissues. We conclude that this novel chemical deglycosylation method that causes selective cleavage of distinct glycans will be useful in unmasking various mucin gene products and glycoproteins containing similar O-glycosidic linkages in the tissue sections of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded normal and pathological tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Altered mucin gene expression in stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts and cholangiocarcinomas.

Neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells is commonly associated with alterations in the synthesis and structures of mucin. Mucin protein epitopes and mRNA levels were frequently altered in adenocarcinomas compared to corresponding normal tissues. Clinically, hepatolithiasis has been regarded as a risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma. The aims of this study were to determine the possible alteration of mucin gene expression in stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts and cholangiocarcinomas and to try to predict whether or not hepatolithiasis has a predisposition to development of cholangiocarcinoma. In situ hybridization with DIG-tailed oligonucleotides was performed on sections of paraffin-embedded tissues of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts, cholangiocarcinomas, and normal controls to identify the expression of MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5B, and MUC5AC in nonneoplastic and neoplastic biliary epithelium. The findings showed that (1) while multiple diverse mucin genes were expressed in the biliary epithelium, MUC3 and MUC5B mRNA were the main mucin genes expressed in the biliary epithelium of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts and normal controls; (2) absent or decreased expression of MUC2, MUC3, and MUC5B of mRNA was found in cholangiocarcinomas in contrast to nonneoplastic biliary epithelium; and (3) increased expression of MUC4 and MU5AC of mRNA was found in cholangiocarcinomas and the biliary epithelium, especially for dysplastic cells of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts compared with normal controls. In this study, using in situ hybridization we demonstrated that neoplastic transformation of the biliary epithelium is accompained by alterations in mucin gene expression, the altered mucin gene expression in dysplastic cells of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts may reflect a higher potential for malignant transformation in these cells, and it could be a precursor of cholangiocarcinoma in the presence of hepatolithiasis.

Adult↗

Natural human anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies react with human mucin peptides.

We have recently demonstrated that both antibodies to Gal alpha(1,3)Gal, and the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal binding lectin (IB4), bind a synthetic peptide (DAHWESWL), there being a similar recognition of carbohydrate and peptide structures. We now report that the anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies and IB4 lectin also react with peptides encoded by mucin genes (MUC 1, 3, 4)-sequences known to be rich in serine, threonine and proline. This activity was demonstrated (1) by the ability of mucin derived peptides to block the reaction of anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies and IB4 lectin with a Gal alpha(1,3)Gal+ pig endothelial cell line; the reactions were specific and did not occur with a random peptide containing the same sequences or with other mucin peptides; (2) by the fact that anti-mucin1 antibodies could react with the Gal alpha(1,3)Gal expressed after transfection of COS cells (Gal alpha(1,3)Gal-,Muc1-) with cDNA encoding the pig alpha, 3galactosyltransferase; and (3) that the IB4 lectin and anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies could react with mucin 1 found on the surface of human breast cancer cells. Thus natural occurring anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies found in all human serum can react with self (Muc1) peptides expressed in large amounts on the surface of tumour cells but not on normal cells. The findings are of interest and serve to explain the previously reported findings that human cells can, at times, express Gal alpha(1,3)Gal; such expression is an artefact, the reaction is due to the phenomenon described herein, i.e. that anti-Gal alpha(1,3)Gal antibodies react with mucin peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗