Expression of the human MUC1 mucin cDNA in a hamster pancreatic tumor cell line HP-1

A full length cDNA for the human mucin gene, MUC1, under the control of human beta actin promoter, was transfected into a carcinogen induced hamster pancreatic ductal tumor cell line, HP-1. Transfectants were selected by resistance to geneticin. Integration of the foreign human MUC1 cDNA occurred at multiple sites in the genome of HP-1. Northern blot analysis showed MUC1 expression in cells transfected with MUC1 cDNA placed in the correct orientation, but not in control cells (HP-1 cells transfected with vector alone, or with the MUC1 cDNA placed in the antisense orientation). Western blot analysis using monoclonal antibody HMFG-2, which is reactive with the MUC1 protein, showed results consistent with the Northern blot data. Positive immunoperoxidase staining using HMFG-2 was seen in HP-1 cells transfected with MUC1 cDNA but not with untransfected or HP-1 control cells. The integration of human MUC1 mucin gene in HP-1 cells caused no significant change in the growth rate of HP-1 cells in vitro, but resulted in an enhanced growth rate for xenografts of MUC1 transfected HP-1 cells grown in nude mice.