Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins with a variety of postulated
biological functions, including physicochemical protection from toxins and
mutagens, adhesion modulation, signal transduction, and regulation of cell
growth. Mucins are widely and differentially expressed in the gastrointest
inal tract. To date, studies of cellular expression have relied on light mi
croscopy using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Although inf
ormative, it has been difficult with these techniques to ascertain exactly
which cell types are producing a given mucin. We studied expression of MUC1
, MUC2, and MUC4 apomucins in a series of normal colon biopsies using a com
bination of immunoelectron microscopy and light microscopy. MUC1 mucin was
localized to both goblet and columnar cells, where it was seen in secretory
vesicles, microvilli, and in cytoplasmic remnants in goblet cell thecae. M
UC2 expression was restricted to goblet cells, in which reactivity was conc
entrated in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). MUC4 expression was seen
in both columnar and goblet cells, localized to the RER. The inability to
detect MUC2 and MUC4 apomucins in the Golgi complex and the mature mucous g
el probably represents masking of peptide epitopes following O-glycosylatio
n. This study has helped clarify lineage-specific mucin synthesis in the no
rmal colon.