MUC2

Mucin 2 (MUC2) is a secreted protein rich in sugar chains, mainly synthesized and secreted by goblet cells in the small intestine and colon. MUC2 is a core member of the intestinal mucosal barrier, which can effectively resist the invasion of various pathogens and harmful substances, and selectively filter nutritional molecules to supply intestinal epithelial cells, participating in the proliferation, repairing, and renewal of intestinal epithelium. In clinical practice, MUC2 is mainly used in the research and diagnosis of colorectal cancer, especially as a differential diagnostic marker for colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma, and its high expression is considered as a risk factor for the occurrence and development of the tumor. Meanwhile, under normal conditions, MUC2 doesn't exist in the gastric epithelium, but is expressed in the intestinal metaplasia of gastric cancer, and the abnormal high expression of MUC2 is a diagnostic factor for mucinous gastric cancer. In addition, MUC2 is expressed in some pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer, which has potential diagnostic value.