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Purpose: The membrane-anchored MUC1 mucin is typically expressed on normal and cancerous epithelial cells. Non-epithelial localization of this mucin is rare. However, the presence of MUC1 in human skin fibroblasts has been recently unexpectedly revealed. The aim of the study was to prove the expression of MUC1 mucin in human skin fibroblasts and the examine of the influence of luteolin on its expression. Materials and methods: ELISA tests and real-time PCR analysis were used to assess the expression of MUC1 mucin in fibroblast cells cocultured with 30 μM concentration of luteolin. Results: The expression of MUC1 was revealed in human skin fibroblasts. Luteolin decreased the relative level of mucin in cell lysates and media. Statistically significant decreased expression of MUC1 gene after luteolin treatment of fibroblasts cells was also revealed. Conclusion: Our results prove non-epithelial localization of MUC1 mucin. Luteolin inhibits the expression of MUC1 mucin in healthy human skin fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucin 1 ( MUC1) has been described as the renaissance molecule due to the large set of functions it displays in both normal and neoplastic cells. This membrane-tethered glycoprotein is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in most epithelial cancers, being involved in several processes related with malignant phenotype acquisition. With a highly polymorphic structure, both in the polypeptide and glycan counterparts, MUC1 variability has been associated with susceptibility to several diseases, including cancer. Biochemical features and biological functions have been characterized upon the full-length MUC1 protein, remaining to clarify the real impact on cell dynamics of the plethora of MUC1 isoforms. This review aims to encompass a detailed characterization of MUC1 role in carcinogenesis, highlighting recent findings in cell differentiation and uncovering new evidences of MUC1 isoforms involvement in malignant phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]