Mucins gene products

J. C. Hong and Y. S. Kim, Alkali-catalyzed beta-elimination of periodate-oxidized glycans a novel method of chemical deglycosylation of mucin gene products in paraffin embedded sections, Glycoconj. J., 17 (2000) 691-703. 

A combination of mass spectrometry on purified bands, with limited protein sequence, and generation of antibodies to mucin-specific sequences has established that MUC-1, MUC-2 and MUC-3 are all present in the complex of secreted TES-120 proteins (Loukas et al, 2000). In addition, a further band migrating slightly more slowly than TES-120 represents an as yet unidentified threonine-rich mucin-like gene product. Two further mucins, MUC-4 and MUC-5, have also been cloned (A. Doedens et al., 2000, unpublished results Loukas et al, 2000), but as yet there are no data to suggest that these are secreted by the larvae. In the case of MUC-5, release seems unlikely because it has a relatively high lysine content and it is known that TES-120 does not incorporate lysine (Gems and Maizels, 1996). 

Wilms tumor gene product (WTl) has been established as a good marker for mesothelial cells. Studies have also demonstrated that WTl is a highly sensitive and specific marker of serous carcinomas of ovarian surface epithelial origin (both ovarian and extra-ovarian). Mucinous and micropapillary breast carcinomas may express WTl and thus confound the distinction between breast carcinoma and metastatic ovarian serous carcinoma (Fig. 21.13). ° ... 

Glycoproteins—a protein and a carbohydrate [e.g., mucin in saliva, mucoids in tendon and cartilage, interferron, which is a human gene product made in bacteria using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology]... 

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