CA125
CA125, encoded by the MUC16 gene, is a large membrane-tethered mucin found on the apical surfaces of epithelia. It is thought to form a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces, and is also known as CA-125 or FLJ14303. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CA125 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CA125 (mucin 16, cell surface associated) is a member of the mucin family. Mucins are high molecular weight, O-glycosylated proteins that help form a protective mucous barrier on the apical surfaces of epithelia. CA125 is thought to provide a lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces, protecting epithelial cells from pathogens. UniProt lists it at the cell membrane and as a secreted protein in the extracellular space.
The MUC16 gene encodes a membrane-tethered mucin with an extracellular domain at the amino terminus, a large tandem repeat domain, and a transmembrane domain with a short cytoplasmic domain. The amino terminus is highly glycosylated. The repeat region contains repeat units of 156 amino acids that are rich in serines, threonines and prolines. Interspersed within the repeats are Sea urchin sperm protein, Enterokinase and Agrin (SEA) modules, leucine-rich repeats and ankyrin (ANK) repeats. Together these regions form the ectodomain, and a potential cleavage site lies near an SEA module close to the transmembrane domain.
HGNC places the gene in the groups of mucins and SEA domain containing proteins. The CA125 name and the aliases CA-125 and FLJ14303 all refer to this gene product. Products of the gene have been used as a marker for different cancers, with higher expression levels associated with poorer outcomes, which is why CA125 is widely studied in oncology and epithelial biology.
Products of this gene have been used as a marker for different cancers, with higher expression linked to poorer outcomes.
CA125 is thought to form a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces.
As a membrane-tethered mucin on apical epithelial surfaces, it is a subject for studying how epithelia are protected from pathogens.
Its heavily O-glycosylated ectodomain, SEA modules and tandem repeats make it a useful model for mucin architecture and cleavage.
CA125 is thought to provide a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces. As a membrane-tethered mucin on the apical surface of epithelia, it is thought to help protect epithelial cells from pathogens. It is found at the cell membrane and in the extracellular space.
CA125 is the product of the MUC16 gene, whose HGNC name is mucin 16, cell surface associated. Other aliases are CA-125 and FLJ14303. UniProt lists the protein as Mucin-16. These names all refer to the same gene and protein.
Products of the MUC16 gene have been used as a marker for different cancers, and higher expression levels are associated with poorer outcomes. Mouse and rat orthologues are not specified in the data here, so check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other cell-surface and secreted mucins that contribute to epithelial barriers, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q8WXI7; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.