MUC3 [M3.1]

Specificity & Comments

It recognizes a protein of HMW, identified as mucin 3 glycoprotein (MUC3). Its epitope localizes between aa SITTTE. This MAb shows no cross-reaction with human milk fat globule membranes, MUC1, or MUC2. MUC3 is distributed in colon and rectum, and is also present to a lesser extent in breast, lung and salivary gland tissues. The Mucins are a family of highly glycosylated, secreted proteins with a basic structure consisting of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) encoded by 60 base pairs (Mucin 1), 69 base pairs (Mucin 2) and 51 base pairs (Mucin 3). The number of repeats is highly polymorphic and varies among different alleles. Mucin 1 proteins are expressed as type I membrane proteins in addition to secreted forms. Mucin 1 is aberrantly expressed in epithelial tumors, including breast carcinomas. Mucin 2 coats the epithelia of the intestines and airways and is associated with colonic tumors. Mucin 3 is a major component of various mucus gels and is broadly expressed in normal and tumor cells.