MUCIN GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE HUMAN ENDOCERVIX

In the human uterine endocervix, five out of the six human mucin genes investigated (MUC 2, MUC 3, MUC 4, MUC 5AC, MUC 5B and MUC 6) are exp ressed, whereas in some other mucosae the hybridization pattern demons trates the expression of only two or three of these genes, The most in tense labelling by in-situ hybridization is obtained significantly wit h MUC 4, predominantly during the luteal phase, The expression of the MUC 4 gene appears to be influenced by the oestro-progesterone ratio, During the ovulatory cycle, there are only a few differences concernin g the variations of expression of all other MUC genes.