CA125

The CA125, also known as the MUC16, is a mucin protein that may be found in type I transmembrane or secreted forms that are used monitor the progress of epithelial ovarian cancer therapy. The CA 125 molecule is almost certainly a glycoprotein with a predominance of O-linkages. It is heterogeneous with regard to both size and charge, most likely due to continuous deglycosylation of side chains during its life-span in bodily fluids. It exists as a very large complex (perhaps as much as 4 million daltons) under natural conditions.