MUC7 gene expression and genetic polymorphism

This study examined differential expression of several mucin genes in the human submandibular gland and trachea, MUC7 tissue and species specificity, and MUC7 genetic polymorphism. Mucin gene expression examined by RT-PCR indicated that MUC1, MUC4 and MUC7 are expressed in the human submandibular gland, while MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5 and MUC7 are expressed in the human trachea. Northern blot analysis confirmed the expression of MUC7 in the human trachea and MUC4 in the human submandibular gland. Northern blot analysis also demonstrated that MUC7 is not expressed in the submandibular/sublingual gland complexes of hamster, mouse and rat. Southern blot analysis suggested the presence of a MUC7 homologue in monkey genomic DNA. Genetic polymorphism studies of MUC7 by PCR and Southern blot analysis revealed the presence of a limited variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism.