MUC1 Antibody / Mucin-1 / EMA

In Western blotting, it recognizes proteins in MW range of 265-400 kDa, identified as different glycoforms of MUC1/Mucin-1/Epithelial Marker Antigen/EMA. The alpha subunit has cell adhesive properties. It can act both as an adhesion and an anti-adhesion protein. EMA may provide a protective layer on epithelial cells against bacterial and enzyme attack. The beta subunit contains a C-terminal domain, which is involved in cell signaling, through phosphorylations and protein-protein interactions. In immunohistochemical assays, it superbly stains routine formalin/paraffin carcinoma tissues. Antibody to EMA is useful as a pan-epithelial marker for detecting early metastatic loci of carcinoma in bone marrow or liver.