Biosynthesis of mucins (MUC2-6) along the longitudinal axis of the human gastrointestinal tract.

Little is known about the biosynthesis of mucin molecules in humans. Our aim was to examine the mucin biosynthesis (MUC2-6) along the longitudinal axis of the healthy human gastrointestinal tract. Biopsies of human stomach and small and large intestine were metabolically labeled with 35S-labeled amino acids, [35S]sulfate, or[3H]galactose, immunoprecipitated with antibodies against MUC2-6, and analyzed by reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), MUC5AC [apparent molecular weight (M(r)) 500,000] and MUC6 (apparent M(r) 400,000) were detected in the stomach but not in the small or large intestine, MUC3 (apparent M(r) 550,000) was detected in duodenum and jejunum, MUC2 (apparent M(r)600,000) was detected throughout the small and large intestine, and MUC4 (apparent M(r) > 900,000) was detected predominantly in the large intestine. Interestingly, some individuals displayed double bands of MUC2 and MUC3 precursors, suggesting allelic variation within the respective genes. Between small and large intestine mature secreted MUC2 showed differences in mobility on SDS-PAGE, suggesting differences in glycosylation. Each of the MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6 precursors could be distinguished electrophoretically, and each showed region-specific expression along the gastrointestinal tract.