Mucin 2
Mucin 2 (MUC2, also known as MLP or MUC-2) is a secreted, gel-forming glycoprotein that is the major constituent of colon mucus. It coats intestinal epithelia and forms a protective barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Mucin 2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
Mucin 2 coats the epithelia of the intestines and other organs with mucus membranes, providing a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents. In the colon, large polymeric networks of MUC2 are secreted by goblet cells and cover exposed intestinal surfaces. These networks form hydrogels that guard the underlying epithelium from pathogens and other hazardous matter, while still permitting nutrient absorption and gas exchange. Mucin gels also store antimicrobial molecules that take part in innate immunity, and mucin glycoproteins house and feed the microbiome.
The MUC2 gene encodes a member of the mucin protein family, a group of high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by many epithelial tissues. The secreted protein polymerises into an insoluble gel, of which 80% by weight is oligosaccharide side chains. Its central domain contains tandem repeats rich in threonine and proline, and the number of copies varies between 50 and 115 in different individuals. Goblet cells make two forms of MUC2 mucin that differ in branched-chain O-glycosylation and in where they are produced in the colon: a 'thick' mucus from the proximal colon that wraps the microbiota to form faecal pellets, and a 'thin' mucus from the distal colon that adheres to the thick layer and lubricates its passage.
MUC2 also acts as a divalent copper chaperone. It binds Cu(2+) and Cu(1+) at two juxtaposed sites, and Cu(2+) reduced by ascorbate or other dietary antioxidants moves to the second site. Bound Cu(1+) is protected from oxidation and can be released for nutritional delivery to cells, which protects intestinal cells from copper toxicity. Downregulation of the gene has been observed in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. The previous HGNC name was mucin 2, intestinal/tracheal.
MUC2 networks form the hydrogel that protects the intestinal epithelium from pathogens while permitting nutrient absorption and gas exchange.
Downregulation of MUC2 has been observed in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.
Mucin gels store antimicrobial molecules that take part in innate immunity at mucosal surfaces.
Mucin glycoproteins house and feed the microbiome, and MUC2 acts as a copper chaperone for intestinal cells.
Mucin 2 is the main structural component of colon mucus. Secreted by goblet cells, it forms polymeric hydrogel networks that protect the epithelium from pathogens, store antimicrobial molecules and house the microbiome. It also binds copper, protecting intestinal cells from copper toxicity and aiding nutritional copper uptake.
MUC2 is also written MUC-2 or MLP, and UniProt names the protein Mucin-2. HGNC lists the full name as mucin 2, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming, with the earlier name mucin 2, intestinal/tracheal. It belongs to the HGNC mucin gene group.
NCBI Gene reports that MUC2 is downregulated in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Orthologues exist in mouse and rat, both named Muc2, so rodent models can be used for study. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other mucin family members, including gel-forming and membrane-associated mucins, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q02817; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.