Mucoprotein

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A mucoprotein is a glycoprotein composed primarily of mucopolysaccharides. Mucoproteins can be found throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, airways, and the synovial fluid of the knees. They are called mucoproteins because the carbohydrate quantity is more than 4% unlike glycoproteins where the carbohydrate quantity is less than 4%. Mucoprotein is produced in the cecum of the gastrointestinal tract. During gallbladder cancer, mucoprotein is over expressed. Sustaining a brain injury will lead to decreased mucoprotein production. The result is an alteration of gut microbiota as seen in mice.

Contents

Function

Mucoproteins are the proteins that are the building blocks of mucus, which is a protective barrier to the epithelia of cells. It is semipermeable, so it acts as a barrier to most bacteria and pathogens, while allowing for the uptake of nutrients, water, and hormones. [1]

Protein Structure

Mucoproteins are composed of o-linked carbohydrates as well as highly glycosylated proteins, which are held together by disulfide bonds. [2] The viscosity of the mucus depends on the strength of the disulfide bonds. When these disulfide bonds are broken, the viscosity of the mucus secretions is reduced.

Clinical Significance

Mucolytic medications will break through the disulfide bonds and lower the viscosity of the mucus, thus allowing the hypersecreted mucus to be more manageable. A hypersectretion of mucus is often a symptom of pulmonary diseases or respiratory infections. [3]

There are two subgroups in mycolytic medications and each one works differently to control the hypersecreted mucus.

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

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Mucoadhesion describes the attractive forces between a biological material and mucus or mucous membrane. Mucous membranes adhere to epithelial surfaces such as the gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract), the vagina, the lung, the eye, etc. They are generally hydrophilic as they contain many hydrogen macromolecules due to the large amount of water within its composition. However, mucin also contains glycoproteins that enable the formation of a gel-like substance. Understanding the hydrophilic bonding and adhesion mechanisms of mucus to biological material is of utmost importance in order to produce the most efficient applications. For example, in drug delivery systems, the mucus layer must be penetrated in order to effectively transport micro- or nanosized drug particles into the body. Bioadhesion is the mechanism by which two biological materials are held together by interfacial forces.

References

  1. 1 2 Cone, Richard A. (2009-02-27). "Barrier properties of mucus". Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 61 (2): 75–85. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2008.09.008. ISSN   0169-409X. PMID   19135107.
  2. 1 2 Aksoy, Murat; Guven, Suleyman; Tosun, Ilknur; Aydın, Faruk; Kart, Cavit (2012-09-01). "The effect of ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives upon mucoprotein content of cervical mucus". European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 164 (1): 40–43. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.05.002. ISSN   0301-2115. PMID   22633169.
  3. 1 2 "Acetylcysteine", Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs, Elsevier, pp. 23–25, 2016, doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-53717-1.00217-1, ISBN   9780444537164 , retrieved 2022-05-06
  4. 1 2 Gupta, Rishab; Wadhwa, Roopma (2022), "Mucolytic Medications", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   32644589 , retrieved 2022-05-06
  5. ↑ Houlden, A.; Goldrick, M.; Brough, D.; Vizi, E.S.; Lénárt, N.; Martinecz, B.; Roberts, I.S.; Denes, A. (October 2016). "Brain injury induces specific changes in the caecal microbiota of mice via altered autonomic activity and mucoprotein production". Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 57: 10–20. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2016.04.003. PMC   5021180 . PMID   27060191.
  6. ↑ Kumar, Puneet; Shukla, Priyesh; Kumari, Soni; Dixit, Ruhi; Narayan, Gopeshwar; Dixit, V. K.; Khanna, A. K. (2021-06-15). "Expression of Mucoproteins in Gallbladder Cancer". Indian Journal of Surgery. 84 (3): 456–462. doi:10.1007/s12262-021-02989-7. ISSN   0972-2068. S2CID   235442291.


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