Mice lacking Muc2 develop colon tumors.
Velcich/AAAS
Unregulated expression of Muc2, the most abundant mucin in the gastrointestinal lining, is often found in human tumors. Furthermore, the goblet cells that synthesize and secrete mucins are often depleted in intestinal mucosal structures that progress to tumors. These findings led Anna Velcich (Albert Einstein Cancer Center/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY) and colleagues to examine the effects of Muc2 during the early steps of tumorigenesis.
Mice lacking Muc2 had an increased ratio of proliferating to apoptotic epithelial cells, resulting in altered maturation and increased migration of epithelial cells in the intestine. They were also more likely to develop intestinal, colon, and rectal tumors. The mice are the first good model for studying rectal tumors, which are common...
