MOLECULAR STUDIES OF MUCIN EXPRESSION IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS

The purpose of this study is to use the recently derived cDNA clone for
human pancreatic mucin and monoclonal antibodies against the core protein
to investigate mucin expression in epithelial cells from normal and mutant
CFTR genes on mucin expression and post-translational processing will be
examined in epithelial cell lines expressing the mucin and CFTR genes. In
addition, complementation assays will examine the effect on mucin
expression of inserting the normal CFTR into cell lines expressing mutant
CFTR. A mouse transgenic for this mucin is available for cross breeding
with CFTR transgenic mice as they become available. Finally, the cis
acting elements and trans actin factors involved in regulating mucin gene
expression will also be evaluated in CF and non CF epithelial cells.