The MUC16-expressing epithelial cells displayed a distinct transcriptional profile relative to other mucin-expressing cells due to their overexpression of cancer antigens (CEACAM5, CEACAM7), cornification/squamous (SPRR3, SPRR1A, TACSTD2), and cell-cell adhesion (PARD6B, CLDN4, MYH14, CLDN7, DSG2, LAMC2). The gene discussed is TACSTD2; the disease is cancer.