Oncogenic function of the MUC1 receptor subunit in gene regulation.

The mucin 1 (MUC1) oncoprotein is overexpressed by diverse human cancers; however, it has remained largely unclear how MUC1 contributes to tumorigenesis. In this issue of Oncogene and in concert with published work, Behrens et al. report that the MUC1 receptor subunit activates genes involved in invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis.