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Description

Mucins are a family of highly glycosylated proteins that are present on the surface of, and are secreted by, many glandular epithelial cells. Mucins provide a barrier between the luminal membranes of cells in the epithelium and their environment. For instance, in the digestive tract, the mucin barrier protects the epithelial cells from the action of proteolytic enzymes. These high molecular weight glycoproteins consist of a nonglobular protein backbone (apomucin) and many O-linked glycans. Salivary Mucin 5B proteins are some of the largest polypeptides, with molecular weights ranging from 14 - 40 x 103 kDa.