MUC1 Oncoprotein Dynamics in Cancer Progression

MUC1 is a high-molecular-weight transmembrane mucin glycoprotein that is normally expressed on the apical surface of epithelial cells, where it contributes to barrier function and cell renewal. In many carcinomas, MUC1 undergoes aberrant glycosylation and is overexpressed, yielding a split heterodimer comprising an extracellular mucin domain and a cytoplasmic C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C). MUC1-C engages in dynamic intracellular signalling by interacting with receptor tyrosine kinases, transcription factors and chromatin-remodelling complexes. Upon cleavage and oligomerisation, MUC1-C can translocate to the nucleus via importin and nucleoporin pathways, where it co-activates NF-κB, MYC and other factors to regulate gene expression. These activities underpin enhanced cell proliferation, invasion, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis and chemoresistance. Recent work has revealed that MUC1-C participates in feedback loops with long non-coding RNAs, notably XIST and NEAT1, to sustain inflammatory signalling and stemness programmes. Through recruitment of chromatin-remodelling complexes and modulation of m⁶A methylation, MUC1-C reshapes transcriptional networks that support cancer stem cell states and drive metastatic progression. As a highly accessible surface molecule and intracellular signalling hub, MUC1-C represents both a biomarker for tumour diagnosis and prognosis and a candidate for targeted therapy in diverse epithelial malignancies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

MUC1 Oncoprotein Dynamics in Cancer Progression publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in muc1 oncoprotein dynamics in cancer progression across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

MUC1 Oncoprotein: A transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in many epithelial cancers, comprising an extracellular mucin domain and an intracellular signalling tail.

MUC1-C: The cytoplasmic C-terminal subunit of MUC1 that oligomerises, translocates to the nucleus and interacts with transcriptional regulators.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA): RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins but modulate gene expression through diverse mechanisms.

Paraspeckles: Nuclear ribonucleoprotein bodies assembled on the NEAT1 lncRNA that sequester proteins and RNAs to regulate stress-responsive gene expression.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs): A subset of tumour cells with self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, often responsible for metastasis and therapy resistance.

References

1. Research progress of MUC1 in genitourinary cancers. Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters (2024).
2. XIST and MUC1-C form an auto-regulatory pathway in driving cancer progression. Cell Death & Disease (2024).
3. MUC1-C regulates NEAT1 lncRNA expression and paraspeckle formation in cancer progression. Oncogene (2024).
4. MUC1: Structure, Function, and Clinic Application in Epithelial Cancers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
5. Nuclear Import of the MUC1-C Oncoprotein Is Mediated by Nucleoporin Nup62*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2007).