Mucin 15, Cell Surface Associated (MUC15)

MUC15 protein contains a transmembrane domain and an extracellular N-terminal region rich in ser, thr, pro, leu, and asn residues and containing numerous potential glycosylation sites. Human and bovine MUC15 protein share 67% sequence identity. Enzymatic treatment of bovine Muc15 revealed the presence of core-1 O-linked glycans and N-linked glycans. The authors suggested that heavy glycosylation could explain the difference between the calculated (33.9 kD) and apparent (100 kD) molecular mass of the protein. PCR analysis of a variety of cDNA sources showed expression of MUC15 in numerous tissues, including breast, spleen, thymus, prostate, testis, ovary, small intestine, colon, peripheral blood leukocyte, bone marrow, lymph node, tonsil, and fetal liver.