Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, The School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
Biochem Soc Trans. 2011 Aug;39(4):1023-7. doi: 10.1042/BST0391023.
Although gene expression studies have shown that human PLUNC (palate, lung and nasal epithelium clone) proteins are predominantly expressed in the upper airways, nose and mouth, and proteomic studies have indicated they are secreted into airway and nasal lining fluids and saliva, there is currently little information concerning the localization of human PLUNC proteins. Our studies have focused on the localization of three members of this protein family, namely SPLUNC1 (short PLUNC1), SPLUNC2 and LPLUNC1 (long PLUNC1). Western blotting has indicated that PLUNC proteins are highly glycosylated, whereas immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated distinct patterns of expression. For example, SPLUNC2 is expressed in serous cells of the major salivary glands and in minor mucosal glands, whereas SPLUNC1 is expressed in the mucous cells of these glands. LPLUNC1 is a product of a population of goblet cells in the airway epithelium and nasal passages and expressed in airway submucosal glands and minor glands of the oral and nasal cavities. SPLUNC1 is also found in the epithelium of the upper airways and nasal passages and in airway submucosal glands, but is not co-expressed with LPLUNC1. We suggest that this differential expression may be reflected in the function of individual PLUNC proteins.
尽管基因表达研究表明人类 PLUNC（腭、肺和鼻上皮克隆）蛋白主要在上呼吸道、鼻子和口腔中表达，蛋白质组学研究表明它们被分泌到气道和鼻衬里液和唾液中，但目前有关人类 PLUNC 蛋白的定位信息很少。我们的研究集中在该蛋白家族的三个成员上，即 SPLUNC1（短 PLUNC1）、SPLUNC2 和 LPLUNC1（长 PLUNC1）的定位。Western blot 分析表明 PLUNC 蛋白高度糖基化，而免疫组织化学分析则显示出不同的表达模式。例如，SPLUNC2 表达在大唾液腺的浆液细胞和小粘膜腺中，而 SPLUNC1 则表达在这些腺的粘液细胞中。LPLUNC1 是气道上皮和鼻道中一类杯状细胞的产物，在气道粘膜下腺和口腔及鼻腔的小腺中表达。SPLUNC1 也在上呼吸道和鼻腔上皮以及气道粘膜下腺中发现，但与 LPLUNC1 不共表达。我们认为这种差异表达可能反映在单个 PLUNC 蛋白的功能上。
