Mucins: The Invisible Guardians of the Body?

Authors

  • Jayro Javier Salas-Ibañez Maestría en Ciencias Biomédicas, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México. Laboratorio de Patología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México.
  • Marisa Hernández-Barrales Laboratorio de Patología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México.
  • Jorge Luis Ayala-Luján Maestría en Ciencias Biomédicas, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México. Laboratorio de Patología y Diagnóstico Molecular, Unidad Académica de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México.

Keywords:

Mucins, proteins, cancer.

Abstract

Mucins are fundamental glycoproteins for organ protection and the maintenance of homeostasis. They constitute part of the mucus, a barrier that coats distinct surfaces and protects them against physical, chemical, and biological insults. Their structure, rich in O-glycans, endows them with unique functions, from lubrication to the modulation of cellular signaling. While there are present in normal physiological conditions, their expression becomes aberrant in diseases like cancer, turning them into tumor markers and potential therapeutic targets. Research into mucins opens new opportunities to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of diverse pathologies.

References

Sun, L., et al. (2023). Mucin Glycans: A Target for Cancer Therapy. Molecules, 28(20): 7033. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28207033

Song, Y., Yuan, M., & Wang, G. (2023). Update value and clinical application of MUC16 (cancer antigen 125). Expert Opin Ther Targets, 27(8): 745–756. https://doi.org/10.1080/14728222.2023.2248376

Sheng, Y. H., & Hasnain, S. Z. (2022). Mucus and Mucins: The Underappreciated Host Defence System. Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 12: 856962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.856962

McShane, A., et al. (2021). Mucus. Curr Biol, 31(15): R938–R945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.093

Jonckheere, N., et al. (2013). Membrane-bound mucin modular domains: From structure to function. Biochimie, 95(6): 1077–1086. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIOCHI.2012.11.005

Hollingsworth, M. A., & Swanson, B. J. (2004). Mucins in cancer: Protection and control of the cell surface. Nat Rev Cancer, 4(1): 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1251

Dhanisha, S. S., et al. (2018). Mucins: Structural diversity, biosynthesis, its role in pathogenesis and as possible therapeutic targets. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 122: 98–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.12.006

Aithal, A., et al. (2018). MUC16 as a novel target for cancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets, 22(8): 675–686. https://doi.org/10.1080/14728222.2018.1498845

Downloads

Published

2026-03-21

How to Cite

Salas-Ibañez, J. J., Hernández-Barrales, M., & Ayala-Luján, J. L. (2026). Mucins: The Invisible Guardians of the Body?. Revista De divulgación científica IBIO, 8(2), 308. Retrieved from http://revistaibio.com/ojs33/index.php/main/article/view/308

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Hot Science

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Revista de divulgación científica iBIO

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Self-archiving or deposit of the works in their post-publication version (editorial version) is permitted in any personal, institutional or thematic repository, social or scientific networks. The above applies from the moment of publication of the article in question on the website of the Revista de divulgación científica iBIO.