MUC5AC (Autostainer Link 48)

Mucin 5AC glycoprotein (MUC5AC) is a 641 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. MUC5AC is a mucus-forming secreted mucin that is found in normal gastric and tracheo-bronchial mucosa, but absent from normal colon. MUC5AC expression is present in primary ovarian mucinous cancer but usually absent in colorectal adenocarcinoma, thus showing an expression pattern opposite to MUC2.Anti-MUC5AC is a useful aid for classification of primary mucinous ovarian tumors. MUC5AC antibodies are also a useful aid for classification of intestinal metaplasia as well as in the classification of pancreatic carcinoma.