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Article
MUC1 in normal and impaired Spermatogenesis
Molecular Human Reproduction
  • Folker E. Franke, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
  • Sigurd Kraus, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
  • Claus Eiermann, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
  • Katharina Pauls, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
  • El-Nasir Lalani, Aga Khan University
  • Martin Bergmann, Justus-Liebig University Giessen
Publication Date
6-1-2001
Document Type
Article
Abstract

The MUC1 mucin [also known as episialin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) or polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM)] is a component of the mucosal glycocalyx, contributing to anti-adhesive and protective cell functions. MUC1 has been shown in a variety of epithelial cell types in the reproductive tracts of males and females, but this is the first report of its expression in human testis and non-epithelial cells of the germ cell lineage. Analysing 65 testes with normal or impaired spermatogenesis, we identified MUC1 protein in maturing germ cells by immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibodies HMFG1, HMFG2 and SM3 binding to different glycosylation variants. MUC1 expression was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis on tissue extracts of human testis, and RT–PCR of selected germ cells after UV laser-assisted cell picking. MUC1 glycosylation variants were selectively distributed during normal spermatogenesis. Whereas HMFG1 labelled certain groups of pachytene spermatocytes, HMFG2 labelled only spermatids. Low glycosylated forms of MUC1 mucin, recognized by SM3, were not found. In contrast to its weak expression during normal spermatogenesis, the HMFG1 glycosylation variant accumulated markedly in all spermatocytes showing abnormal or arrested maturation. These results suggest a variable glycosylation of MUC1 mucin in differentiating germ cells, which is aberrant in pathological conditions.

Citation Information
Folker E. Franke, Sigurd Kraus, Claus Eiermann, Katharina Pauls, et al.. "MUC1 in normal and impaired Spermatogenesis" Molecular Human Reproduction Vol. 7 Iss. 6 (2001) p. 505 - 512
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/elnasir_lalani/47/