Our data suggest that genetic variation especially in the transmembrane mucin gene MUC4 may play a role in the survival of CRC and further studies are warranted.
In addition, there was a significance concerning MUC1 overexpression according to the stage of CRC, that is advanced stage versus localized disease [ORs (95% confidence interval)=2.724 (1.211-6.127), Z= 2.423, P=0.015], as opposed to MUC2 and MUC4.
In the present study, we found MUC15 frameshift mutations (14.7% of GC and 15.2% of CRC with MSI-H), MUC 7 frameshift mutations (2.9% of GC with MSI-H) and MUC4 frameshift mutations (8.8% of GC and 3.8% of CRC with MSI-H).
In conclusiomn, miR-150-5p may suppress CRC metastasis through directly targeting MUC4, highlighting its potential as a novel agent for the treatment of CRC metastasis.
MUC4 was only significant to predict recurrence-free survival, and MUC5AC could be a good marker in stage IV colorectal cancers that require additional chemotherapy.
The homology of MUC12 with epidermal growth factor-like growth factors and its down-regulation in colorectal cancers, together with known interactions between rat MUC4 and c-erbB-2 growth factor receptors, suggests that MUC12 may be involved in epithelial cell growth regulation.