Mucin-13 (MUC13)

Mucin-13 (MUC13) is a high-molecular-weight, membrane-bound **transmembrane mucin glycoprotein** predominantly expressed on the apical surface of epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract and other mucosal tissues[1][3]. Its primary physiological function is to protect epithelial tissue by forming a physical and biochemical barrier against pathogens, physical damage, and chemical insults[2][1]. Structurally, MUC13 contains a heavily glycosylated extracellular domain, a single transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail that can participate in signaling[2][3]. Overexpression or mislocalization of MUC13 is associated with epithelial cancers—such as colorectal, gastric, and ovarian cancer—where it can promote oncogenic processes, affect cell adhesion, immune evasion, and resistance to apoptosis[3][1]. In infectious disease, MUC13 is strongly upregulated in hepatocytes during hepatic-stage malaria infection (by *Plasmodium*) and serves as a reliable biomarker distinguishing infected from uninfected host cells[1]. MUC13 is also involved in the immune response, regulating inflammation and possibly participating in pathogen immune evasion by masking infected cells[1][3]. MUC13’s roles in cancer and infectious diseases make it both a **biomarker** and a potential therapeutic target, although no drugs are currently approved that directly target Mucin-13. Its dual functions in cell protection and disease progression present challenges and considerations for therapeutic modulation[1][3].

Other names

Mucin 13MUC-13

no specific drugs/mechanisms found targeting MUC13; in cancer, mechanism is associated with overexpression linked to altered cell signaling and adhesion[3][1]