Mucin 13 mRNA 3′ untranslated region (MUC13 mRNA 3′UTR)

The Mucin 13 (MUC13) mRNA 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) is a critical regulatory segment of the MUC13 transcript that governs the stability and translation of the MUC13 protein (Khan et al., 2014, PubMed: 24583257). MUC13 is a transmembrane mucin that is frequently overexpressed in various epithelial cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian malignancies (Chauhan et al., 2012, PubMed: 22431518). In these diseases, MUC13 promotes cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis through the activation of oncogenic pathways like NF-κB and HER2 (Sheng et al., 2017, PubMed: 28651314). The 3′UTR contains binding sites for several tumor-suppressive microRNAs, such as miR-145 and miR-132; the loss of these microRNAs in cancer cells leads to the stabilization of MUC13 mRNA and subsequent protein overproduction (Khan et al., 2014, PubMed: 24583257). Targeting this region with microRNA mimics or antisense oligonucleotides represents a therapeutic strategy to downregulate MUC13 expression and inhibit oncogenic signaling (Gupta et al., 2020, PubMed: 32824212). Research indicates that modulating the MUC13 3′UTR can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and reduce tumor growth in preclinical models (Khan et al., 2014, PubMed: 24583257). Consequently, the MUC13 3′UTR serves as a focal point for understanding post-transcriptional dysregulation in cancer and a potential site for RNA-based intervention.

Other names

MUC13 3′UTRMucin 13 3′ untranslated regionMUC-13 mRNA 3′UTRMUC13 3-prime UTR

Binding of complementary RNA sequences (such as microRNA mimics or antisense oligonucleotides) to specific seed sequences within the 3′UTR to induce mRNA degradation or sterically hinder translation, thereby reducing MUC13 protein levels.