Other accessible extracellular and cell-surface proteins at exposed mucosal surfaces

Other accessible extracellular and cell-surface proteins at exposed mucosal surfaces is a classification used by the Human Protein Atlas to identify proteins that are potentially druggable due to their physical location at the interface between the body and the external environment (Uhlén et al., 2015). These proteins are found on the apical membranes of epithelial cells or in the immediate extracellular environment of mucosal tissues, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts (Human Protein Atlas, 2024). Because of their accessibility, they are ideal targets for locally delivered therapies, such as inhaled corticosteroids for asthma or non-absorbable agents for inflammatory bowel disease, which minimize systemic toxicity (Finan et al., 2017). This category includes a diverse range of proteins, such as G protein-coupled receptors, transporters, and enzymes that regulate physiological processes like fluid secretion, nutrient uptake, and local immune responses (PubMed, 2023). Understanding this group is essential for developing targeted treatments for mucosal infections, chronic inflammatory diseases, and localized malignancies.

Other names

Mucosal surface proteinsExtracellular mucosal proteinsAccessible mucosal proteomeDruggable mucosal proteins

Drugs targeting these proteins typically function as agonists or antagonists of cell-surface receptors, inhibitors of membrane-bound enzymes, or modulators of ion channels and transporters located at the mucosal interface to achieve localized therapeutic effects (Uhlén et al., 2015; PubMed, 2023).