Alternative splicing of the human MUC2 gene

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2004 Jan 1;421(1):21-33. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2003.10.002.

Abstract

Human colon cancers differ in amounts of MUC2 mucin synthesized. However, it is unclear whether MUC2 encodes a single protein. When clones of human colon cancer cells were assayed with antibodies against the TR2 mucin repeat or non-TR2 epitopes, differences in relative expression of MUC2 proteins suggested multiple immunoreactive forms. RT-PCR analysis detected the established 15kbp MUC2 cDNA and a novel form (designated MUC2.1) lacking the MUC2 TR2 repeat. Sequencing of cDNA and genomic DNA indicated that MUC2.1 results from an alternate splice donor. RT-PCR with splice-junction spanning primers confirmed the expression of MUC2.1 mRNA. Anti-MUC2.1 antibody stained colon cancer cells and normal colon in a pattern different from TR2-specific antibody. The presence of MUC2.1 mucin may help us to explain previous conflicting reports that have attempted to correlate the relative abundance of MUC2 protein and/or mRNA with the biological behavior of colon cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Epitopes / analysis
  • Exons / genetics
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Introns / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mucin-2
  • Mucins / biosynthesis
  • Mucins / genetics*
  • Mucins / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / biosynthesis
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Epitopes
  • MUC2 protein, human
  • Mucin-2
  • Mucins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF257165
  • GENBANK/AF257166
  • GENBANK/AF257167