KL-6
KL-6 is the name used for mucin 1 (MUC1, also CD227, EMA, PEM and Ca15-3), a membrane-bound, O-glycosylated mucin found on the apical surface of epithelial cells. It helps form protective mucous barriers and also contributes to intracellular signalling. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KL-6 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KL-6 (mucin 1, cell surface associated) is a member of the mucin family. Mucins are O-glycosylated proteins that play an essential role in forming protective mucous barriers on epithelial surfaces, and this one also takes part in intracellular signalling. The protein is proteolytically cleaved into alpha and beta subunits that form a heterodimeric complex. The N-terminal alpha subunit functions in cell adhesion, while the C-terminal beta subunit is involved in cell signalling through phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions.
Through its beta subunit, KL-6 modulates signalling in the ERK, SRC and NF-kappa-B pathways, and in activated T-cells it influences the Ras/MAPK pathway directly or indirectly. It also regulates TP53-mediated transcription and helps determine cell fate in the genotoxic stress response: together with KLF4 it binds the PE21 promoter element of TP53 and represses TP53 activity. UniProt notes that it promotes tumour progression. The protein is found at the apical cell membrane, and also in secreted form, at the cell membrane, in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus.
The KL-6 gene (MUC1) encodes a protein expressed on the apical surface of epithelial cells lining mucosal surfaces in many tissues, including lung, breast, stomach and pancreas. Overexpression, aberrant intracellular localisation and changes in glycosylation have been associated with carcinomas. The gene contains a highly polymorphic variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) domain, and alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants. Previous names include mucin 1, transmembrane, and medullary cystic kidney disease 1 (autosomal dominant), reflected in the aliases MCKD, MCKD1 and ADMCKD1.
Overexpression, mislocalisation and altered glycosylation of KL-6 are associated with carcinomas, and it is reported to promote tumour progression.
As an O-glycosylated mucin on apical epithelial surfaces, KL-6 contributes to protective mucous barriers in tissues such as lung, breast, stomach and pancreas.
The KL-6 beta subunit modulates ERK, SRC and NF-kappa-B pathways, and influences Ras/MAPK signalling in activated T-cells.
KL-6 regulates TP53-mediated transcription and, with KLF4, represses TP53 activity, helping determine cell fate after genotoxic stress.
KL-6 forms protective mucous barriers on epithelial surfaces. Its alpha subunit functions in cell adhesion, while the beta subunit is involved in signalling, modulating ERK, SRC and NF-kappa-B pathways and regulating TP53-mediated transcription.
Yes. KL-6 is an alias of the MUC1 gene, which encodes mucin 1. Other names include CD227, PEM, EMA, Ca15-3, PUM and MCKD1. The protein is also called Mucin-1, and alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants.
Overexpression, aberrant intracellular localisation and altered glycosylation of KL-6 have been associated with carcinomas. The mouse ortholog is Muc1; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other mucin family members, both membrane-bound and secreted, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P15941; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.