Rabbit polyclonal antibody to MUC6

Mucin 6 (also designated MUC 6 and gastricmucin) is a large glycoprotein that plays amajor role in the protection of the gastrointestinal tract. MUC6 carries GlcNAcα1→4Galβ→R structures, indicating thatα1, 4~N~acetylglucosaminyltransferase isimportant to the formation of the mucous glycoproteinsin vivo. Mucin 6 expression is highest in the stomach and gall bladder, with lower expression in the terminal ileumand rightcolon. In gastriccancer, Mucin 6 has an altered expression. In normalstomach, Mucin 6 apomucin is associated with Lewistype 2; Mucin 6 is also expressed in gastric metaplasia, duodenum and pancreas. Mucin 6 is a secretory mucin, located in the deepermucosal folds of human gall bladder, and its expression is altered with increasing degrees of inflammation. Mucin 6mRNA is expressed transientlyin the nephrogeniczone of the kidneyin the early mid~trimester of development, and Mucin 6 glycoprotein is expressed in the epithelium of ureteric buds and collecting ducts, but absent fromadultkidney. Proliferating bile ductularcells express Mucin 6 apomucin in diseased liver, especially in chronicviral hepatitiswith active necroinflammation,suggesting that this secreted mucin acts as a cytoprotective agent and represents a phenotype of reactive biliary epithelium in chronicviral hepatitis.