This gene encodes a member of the mucin protein family. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by many epithelial tissues. The protein encoded by this gene is secreted and forms an insoluble mucous barrier that protects the gut lumen. The protein polymerizes into a gel of which 80% is composed of oligosaccharide side chains by weight. The protein features a central domain containing tandem repeats rich in threonine and proline that varies between 50 and 115 copies in different individuals. Downregulation of this gene has been observed in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2016]
Molecular Weight(MW)
500 kDa(Observed band size: kDa)
Function
Secreted epithelial mucins are large macromolecules which exhibit extreme polydispersity. Mucin 2 is the major intestinal mucin. O-glycans are attached to MUC2 in a potentially diverse arrangement, which is crucial for their interaction with endogeneous and exogeneous lectins.