MUC13-associated molecular interactome in pancreatic cancer

MUC13 has emerged as a critical molecular player that is involved in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis and evade immune surveillance, including in pancreatic cancer. In this report, we have identified MUC13 molecular interactome using an integrated immunoprecipitation and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (IP-LCMS) technique and systems network biology approach to determine its functional protein-protein interaction network and its associated oncogenic mechanisms. This study reveals total 54 key interactor proteins (CDK1, CTNND1, Caludin-1, ErbB3-binding protein 1, Basic transcription factor 3 and Tight junction protein 1 protein etc) of MUC13. Interestingly majority of the interacting proteins were found to be associated with oncogenic and immune checkpoint pathways. These proteins are involved in the regulation of PD1/PD-L1, T-cell receptor signaling, and post-translational protein processing and modifications in the endoplasmic reticulum. This study also revealed that MUC13 might be involved in other cellular processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, calcium signaling, microRNA activity, lysosomal function, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Taken together, this study for the first time elucidated MUC13 associated molecular interactome that might be involved in pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. This study will help to develop new strategies to intervene pancreatic cancer progression via disrupting MUC13 associated oncogenic molecular network.