Transgenic livestock have been studied with a well-known interest in improving quantitative and qualitative traits. In order to direct heterologous gene expression, it is indispensable to identify and characterize a promoter suitable for directing the expression of the gene of interest (GOI) in a tissue-specific way. The gastrointestinal tract is a desirable target for gene expression in several mammalian models. Throughout the surface of the intestinal epithelium, there is an intricate polymer network, formed by gel-forming mucins (especially MUC2 and MUC5AC, of which MUC2 is the major one), which plays a protective role due to the formation of a physical, chemical and immunological barrier between the organism and the environment. The characterization of the gel-forming mucins is difficult because of their large size and repetitive DNA sequences and domains. The main mucin in the small and large intestine, mucin 2 (MUC2), is expressed specifically in goblet cells. MUC2 plays an important role in intestinal homeostasis and its disruption is associated with several diseases and carcinomas. This mucin is also an important marker for elucidating mechanisms that regulate differentiation of the secretory cell lineage. This review presents the state of the art of MUC2 promoter structure and functional characterization.
Keywords: Biotechnology; Gastrointestinal tract; Gel-forming mucin; Gene regulation; Transgenic animals.