Tissue distribution of the secretory protein, SPLUNC1, in the human fetus |
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Authors: | Hou-De Zhou Song-Qin Fan Jin Zhao Dong-Hai Huang Ming Zhou Hua-Ying Liu Zhao-Yang Zeng Yi-Xing Yang He Huang Xiao-Ling Li Shou-Rong Shen Gui-Yuan Li |
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Institution: | (1) Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China;(2) XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China;(3) the Third XiangYa Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China |
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Abstract: | We previously identified a tissue-specific gene, short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1), in nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues. SPLUNC1 was differentially expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that SPLUNC1 has the bactericidal permeability-increasing protein/lipid-binding protein (BPI/LBP) domain and a 19 amino acid signal peptide, which suggest that it is a secretory protein. Its precise cellular localization
in the respiratory tract is mainly in mucous cells and ducts of submucosal glands. However, little is known about its expression
pattern in various human tissues. We generated a highly specific antibody and analyzed its distribution in the human fetus
by immunohistochemistry to more precisely determine SPLUNC1 protein localization in human tissues. The results were further
validated by RT-PCR. Our results showed that SPLUNC1 protein is expressed at not only the serous glands and epithelium of
the upper respiratory tract and digestive tract, but also in the oculi of human embryos. Interestingly, we also found positive
staining in fetus adipose tissue, a result not previously reported in studies of adult human tissues. Western blot analysis
detected a 24 kDa SPLUNC1 protein in the compounds of nasopharyngeal secretions. This secretory protein was also detected
in saliva and tears. Our research suggests that SPLUNC1 protein may not only be an antimicrobial peptide that plays an important
role in the maintenance of homeostasis in the upper respiratory tract, oculi, and alimentary tract, it may also be important
in the development and lipid metabolism of the adipose tissue. |
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Keywords: | SPLUNC1 Expression pattern Secretory protein Epithelial |
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