Eosinophil major basic protein (MBP)

Eosinophil major basic protein (MBP), encoded by the PRG2 gene, is the predominant constituent of eosinophil granules and functions as a cytotoxin and helminthotoxin, playing a critical role in host defense against parasites and bacteria[1][2][3]. Structurally related to lectins but not binding carbohydrates, MBP exerts multiple biological effects including induction of histamine release from basophils and mast cells, activation of neutrophils and macrophages, and involvement in tissue damage, exfoliation, and bronchospasm during immune hypersensitivity and allergic diseases[1][2]. High levels of its proform are present in the placenta and pregnancy serum, where it acts as a proteinase inhibitor and forms complexes with other proteins. Elevated levels of MBP and its deposition are implicated in diseases marked by eosinophilia, such as asthma, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and some dermatologic and autoimmune pathologies[2][1]. No pharmaceuticals are widely established to directly target MBP therapeutically, and its involvement as a drug target is mostly theoretical or based on indirect modulation in inflammatory or eosinophil-related diseases[3].

Other names

proteoglycan 2PRG2bone marrow proteoglycanproMBPpregnancy-associated major basic proteinBMPGEMBPMBP1eosinophil granule major basic protein

Protein degradation (chymopapain); immunomodulation (general; drugs not well-characterized as direct MBP antagonists)