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Related Experiment Videos

Uteroglobin: a novel cytokine?

A B Mukherjee1, G C Kundu, G Mantile-Selvaggi

  • 1Section on Developmental Genetics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1830, USA. mukherja@exchange.nih.gov

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|June 24, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Blastokinin or uteroglobin (UG) is a vital protein found in mammals. Its absence in knockout mice leads to kidney disease, cancer predisposition, and lung issues, highlighting its crucial protective roles.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Blastokinin or uteroglobin (UG) is a conserved, multifunctional protein secreted by mucosal epithelia in mammals.
  • UG is present in bodily fluids and its antigen is detectable in vertebrate mucosal epithelia.
  • UG-binding proteins, potential receptors, are found on normal and cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological roles and mechanisms of action of blastokinin/uteroglobin (UG).
  • To characterize the consequences of UG gene disruption in a mammalian model.
  • To explore the potential of UG as a novel cytokine/chemokine family member.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and analysis of UG knockout mice.
  • Assessment of renal pathology, malignancy incidence, and lung function in UG-deficient mice.

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  • Characterization of UG-binding proteins and investigation of receptor-mediated pathways.

    • Main Results:

    • UG gene disruption in mice resulted in severe renal disease with fibronectin and collagen deposition.
    • UG knockout mice exhibited a predisposition to high-incidence malignancies.
    • Absence of UG led to impaired polychlorinated biphenyl binding and increased lung oxygen toxicity.

    Conclusions:

    • The UG gene plays a critical role in maintaining renal health, preventing cancer, and protecting against lung injury.
    • UG may exert its functions through a receptor-mediated pathway, suggesting a novel signaling mechanism.
    • Further research into the UG receptor and its signal transduction could reveal UG as a member of a new cytokine/chemokine family.