Structure and function of mucins, their role in tumor progression

Anna Laskowska; Maciej Ugorski

eISSN: 1897-4309
ISSN: 1428-2526

Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia

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6/1999
vol. 3

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abstract:

Structure and function of mucins, their role in tumor progression

Anna Laskowska

,

Maciej Ugorski

Współcz Onkol (1999) 6, 244-248

Online publish date: 2003/08/07

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Mucin-type glycoproteins are produced by epithelial cells of gastrointestinal, respiratory and urogenital tracts as secreted or membrane-bound molecules. Their protein backbone is charakterized by the presence of repeating sequences rich in serine, threonine and proline residues. Mucins are highly glucosylated glycoproteins containing numerous O-linked oligosaccharides, often terminated in silic acid. The increasing number of evidence suggest that because of their extended, filamentous structures, negative charge, presence of specific carbohydrate structures they play a role in mucosal defence, cellular signalling and cell-cell interactions. Mucins undergo characteristic changes in their expression associated with neoplastic transformation. They are the carries of tumor-associated antigens, and probably one of the factors promoting metastasis.

keywords:

Structure and function of mucins, their role in tumor progression

Anna Laskowska , Maciej Ugorski

mucins, structure, function, tumor/cancer

Anna Laskowska

,

Maciej Ugorski