Reid C J, Harris A
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Gut. 1998 Feb;42(2):220-6. doi: 10.1136/gut.42.2.220.
Mucin glycoproteins play a key role in the normal function of the epithelium lining the gastrointestinal tract. The expression of mucin genes, MUC 3, 4, 5AC, 5B, 6, 7, and 8 in human fetal tissues was examined to establish the localisation and age of onset of expression of each mucin gene during human development.
Mucin gene expression was assayed by mRNA in situ hybridisation.
Expression of MUC3 was detected in the small intestine and colon from 13 weeks gestation onwards and at low levels in the main pancreatic duct at 13 weeks only. MUC4 expression was seen at a low level in the colonic epithelium from 13 weeks of gestation but not elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. MUC5AC mRNA was detected in the colon at 17 weeks and at high levels in the stomach at 23 weeks. MUC6 transcripts were evident in the pancreatic ducts from 13 weeks of gestation and at high levels in the stomach at 23 weeks. MUC5B, MUC7, and MUC8 transcripts were not detected.
Mucin genes are expressed from the early mid-trimester of gestation in the developing human fetal gastrointestinal tract.
粘蛋白糖蛋白在胃肠道内衬上皮的正常功能中起关键作用。检测人胎儿组织中粘蛋白基因MUC 3、4、5AC、5B、6、7和8的表达，以确定各粘蛋白基因在人类发育过程中的表达定位和起始年龄。
通过mRNA原位杂交检测粘蛋白基因表达。
从妊娠13周起在小肠和结肠中检测到MUC3的表达，仅在13周时主胰管中有低水平表达。从妊娠13周起在结肠上皮中可见MUC4低水平表达，但在胃肠道其他部位未见。在17周时在结肠中检测到MUC5AC mRNA，在23周时在胃中高水平表达。从妊娠13周起在胰管中可见MUC6转录本，在23周时在胃中高水平表达。未检测到MUC5B、MUC7和MUC8转录本。
在发育中的人胎儿胃肠道中，粘蛋白基因从妊娠中期早期开始表达。
