Specificity
The mucin antigen recognized by Mc-5 is a glycosylated molecule with a molecular mass of 400 kD. The sequence to which this antibody binds is Thr-Arg-Pro-Ala-Pro. Although EMA is primarily located in mammary gland epithelium, other normal epithelia (e.g., lung) will also react against EMA antibody. Staining, however, is the strongest in mammary epithelia. The combination of positive staining for keratin with negative EMA can be used to phenotype the above-mentioned epithelial tumors. Recognizes the mucin antigen that is present in most epithelial tissues (breast, colonic, bronchial, gastric, etc.) This antibody does not recognize myelopoietic, lymphopoietic, fibroblasts or sarcomatous cells.