Background：Mucin 2 glycoprotein （MUC2） is a 520 kDa glycoprotein belonging to the superfamily of mucins. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by epithelial cells and can be divided into two families; secretory mucins and membrane bound mucins. MUC2 is a mucus-forming secreted mucin found in the cytoplasm of goblet cells in small intestine, colon, bronchus and salivary glands. MUC2 expression has been noted in primary gastrointestinal tract tumors of colonic, gastric and esophageal origin . MUC2 expression has also been found in goblet cells in colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the ovary, but not in primary mucinous ovarian adenocarcinoma. This antibody is a useful aid for classification of mucinous adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal origin and intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's esophagus. Anti-MUC2 may also be a useful aid for classification of colon adenocarcinoma metastatic to the ovary.
