Intestinal mucin-2 (MUC2) (MUC2)

Intestinal mucus glycoproteins, predominantly Mucin-2 (MUC2), are large, heavily O-glycosylated proteins that constitute the primary structural component of the intestinal mucus barrier (Hansson, 2012). These glycoproteins serve as a critical scaffold for the gut microbiota, providing attachment sites for beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) through specific adhesins like the SpaCBA pili (Kankainen et al., 2009). By occupying these binding sites, LGG and other probiotics engage in competitive adhesion, effectively preventing the colonization of pathogenic microbes and maintaining intestinal homeostasis (Tuomola et al., 1999). In conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, the integrity of the mucus layer is often diminished, leading to direct contact between luminal bacteria and the epithelium, which triggers inflammation (Johansson et al., 2011). Therapeutic interventions targeting these glycoproteins include the use of probiotics to reinforce the barrier and pharmacological agents that stimulate mucin production or modify its rheological properties.

Other names

Mucin-2MUC2Intestinal mucus glycoproteinGel-forming mucin-2Oligomeric mucus/gel-forming protein

Competitive exclusion of pathogens and enhancement of the mucosal barrier through physical and biochemical interactions.