Expression of the MUC 6 mucin gene in development of the human kidney and male genital ducts

Colm J. Reid, Ann Harris*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The MUC 6 mucin cDNA was isolated from a human stomach cDNA library and has been shown to be expressed in a number of other tissues in the gastrointestinal tract, including the gallbladder, pancreas, and parts of the ileum and colon. Here we establish that MUC 6 is expressed transiently in the nephrogenic zone of the kidney in the early midtrimester of development. MUC 6 transcripts were detected in the epithelium of ureteric buds at 13 weeks and at lower levels from 17 to 23 weeks of gestation. Traces of MUC 6 mRNA were seen in the collecting ducts but not elsewhere in the developing kidney, and MUC 6 glycoprotein was detected in the epithelium of ureteric buds and collecting ducts. MUC 6 transcripts were absent from adult kidney. This pattern of expression of MUC 6 in the developing kidney suggests a role in epithelial organogenesis. MUC 6 transcripts were also present at low levels in mid-trimester epididymal epithelium.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)817-821
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
Volume47
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1999

Keywords

  • Kidney development
  • MUC 6
  • Mucin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Histology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Expression of the MUC 6 mucin gene in development of the human kidney and male genital ducts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this