Localization of mucin (MUC2 and MUC3) messenger RNA and peptide expression in human normal intestine and colon cancer

Expression cloning of gastric mucin complementary DNA and localization of mucin gene expression

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Secretory mucins play an important role in gastric cytoprotection and are derived from a heterogeneous family of genes. The aim of this study was to determine the specific type and location of mucin gene expression in the human stomach.

METHODS

Expression cloning was performed by screening a human gastric complementary DNA expression library with antisera against deglycosylated gastric mucin. RNA analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to quantify and localize mucin gene expression.

RESULTS

Sequencing of positive clones revealed two clones containing tandem repeats. The first contained a 169-amino acid repeat and was named MUC6 (as previously described). The second contained the same 8-amino acid repeat consensus sequence (APTTSTTS) as complementary DNAs previously isolated from a tracheobronchial complementary DNA library and was labeled MUC5 (or MUC5AC). RNA analysis indicated that the gastric epithelium contains high levels of MUC5 and MUC6 messenger RNA with little or no MUC2, MUC3, and MUC4 messenger RNA. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that surface mucous cells of the cardia, fundus, and antrum expressed MUC5 peptide. In contrast, MUC6 peptide expression was limited to mucous neck cells of the fundus, antral-type glands of the antrum and cardia, and Brunner's glands of the duodenum.

CONCLUSIONS

MUC5 and MUC6 represent major secretory mucins in the stomach and are localized to distinct cell types.

Molecular cloning of the rat intestinal trefoil factor gene. Characterization of an intestinal goblet cell-associated promoter

Intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) is a small peptide bearing the unique motif of intrachain disulfide bonds characteristic of the trefoil family. Previous work had localized expression of ITF primarily within goblet cells in the small and large bowel, making it a candidate gene for the study of the molecular basis of intestinal and goblet cell-specific gene expression. In order to study the regulation of ITF expression, we have cloned the rat ITF gene and sequenced 1.7 kilobases of the 5'-flanking region. RNase protection analysis demonstrated a single transcriptional start site. Various lengths of the 5'-flanking region were linked to the reporter gene luciferase and transfected into the colon cancer cell lines LS174T and Caco-2, representing, respectively, cells with and without goblet cell-like phenotype. Expression in the goblet cell-like LS174T colon cancer cell line was nearly 10-fold greater than expression in Caco-2 cells which exhibit columnar enterocyte-like phenotype. The pattern of goblet cell-associated selective transcription required only 153 base pairs of the rat ITF 5'-flanking sequence. Transfection of a construct of human growth hormone under the control of the rat ITF promoter in the N2 subclone of HT-29 cells demonstrated expression of the reporter gene only in those cells exhibiting a goblet cell phenotype as assessed by expression of immunoreactive mucin. These initial studies of the 5'-flanking region of the ITF gene demonstrate the presence of cis-regulatory elements capable of directing goblet cell specific expression.