Recombinant Human Mucin-21 (MUC21), partial, refers to a recombinantly produced fragment of the MUC21 protein. MUC21 is a transmembrane mucin that plays a crucial role in forming mucous barriers on epithelial cells, providing protection to the cell surface and contributing to immune evasion mechanisms in cancer cells . The recombinant form of MUC21 is typically produced in bacterial systems like E. coli and is used for research purposes, including studying its role in cancer immunotherapy and its potential as a therapeutic target .
MUC21 is part of the mucin family, which includes proteins rich in proline, threonine, and serine (PTS domains). These domains are heavily O-glycosylated, contributing to the mucin's protective and structural functions . The recombinant partial MUC21 is often expressed in specific regions of the protein, such as the extracellular domain, to study its interactions and biological effects.
Feature | Description |
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Expression System | Typically produced in E. coli |
Expression Region | Partial, often focusing on the extracellular domain |
Function | Forms mucous barriers, involved in immune evasion |
Recent studies have highlighted MUC21's role in cancer, particularly in lung cancer, where it is overexpressed and correlates with reduced immune cell infiltration and responsiveness to immunotherapies . MUC21 acts by creating steric hindrance that prevents immune cells from interacting with cancer cells, thus facilitating immune evasion . Additionally, MUC21 has been shown to promote the viability and migration of glioblastoma cells .
Cancer Type | MUC21's Role |
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Lung Cancer | Overexpressed, reduces immune cell infiltration and responsiveness to immunotherapy |
Glioblastoma | Promotes cell viability and migration |
The recombinant production of MUC21 fragments allows for detailed studies of its structure and function. This includes understanding its glycosylation patterns and developing monoclonal antibodies against specific glycoforms . Such research is crucial for developing targeted therapies against MUC21 in cancer treatment.