Mucin-16
Mucin-16
Mucin-16 (pronounced: myoo-sin-six-teen), also known as MUC16, is a type of mucin protein that is encoded by the MUC16 gene in humans.
Etymology
The term "Mucin-16" is derived from the word "mucin", which refers to a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins. The number "16" signifies its position in the sequence of discovered mucins.
Function
Mucin-16 is a membrane-associated mucin that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of the ocular surface. It is also found in the epithelial cells of other organs such as the respiratory tract, digestive tract, and reproductive system.
In the ocular surface, Mucin-16 contributes to the stability of the tear film and protects the eye from bacterial and viral infections. In other organs, it serves as a protective barrier and facilitates cell-to-cell interactions and signal transduction.
Clinical Significance
Abnormal levels of Mucin-16 are often associated with various diseases. For instance, elevated levels of Mucin-16 are found in the blood of patients with ovarian cancer, making it a potential biomarker for this disease.
Related Terms
- Mucin
- Ocular surface
- Epithelial cells
- Respiratory tract
- Digestive tract
- Reproductive system
- Tear film
- Ovarian cancer
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mucin-16
- Wikipedia's article - Mucin-16
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