Structure, evolution, and biology of the MUC4 mucin

摘要: Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins and implicated in diverse biological functions. MUC4, a member of transmembrane mucin family, is expressed airway epithelial cells body fluids like saliva, tear film, ear fluid, breast milk. In addition to its normal expression, an aberrant expression MUC4 has been reported variety carcinomas. Among various potential domains epidermal growth factor (EGF) -like hypothesized interact with activate the ErbB2 receptors, suggesting intramembrane-growth function for MUC4. The heavily glycosylated tandem repeat domain provides structural rigidity extended extracellular region. by virtue structure, serves as barrier some cell-cell cell-extracellular matrix interactions reservoir certain factors. An intricate relationship between signaling also reflected transcriptional regulation pr...