MUCIN GENE-EXPRESSION IN BILIARY EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Background/Aims: In recent years considerable advances have been made in our knowledge of human mucin genes, Although analysis of their geno mic organization is still in progress, the pattern of their expression in different human mucosae is now fairly web established, However, li ttle is known about their expression in the biliary tree, In this stud y me determined the pattern of expression of the different human mucin genes in gallbladder biliary epithelial cells, intrahepatic bile duct s and liver. Methods: Two complementary methods were used: Northern-bl ot and in situ hybridization analyses, The experiments were performed with eight probes corresponding to MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC 5B, MUC6 and MUC7. Results: Our results revealed a strong mRNA express ion of MUC3, MUC6 and MUC5B, a weak expression of MUC1, MUC5AC and MUC 2, and no expression of MUC4 and MUC7, Surprisingly, MUC3, which was t he gene which was most expressed in the biliary tree, was also found i n hepatocytes, suggesting another function for the MUC3 protein than t hat of a secreted mucin. Conclusions: We conclude that MUC3, MUC6 and MUC5B were the main mucin genes expressed in biliary epithelial cells.