Journal
OCULAR SURFACE
Volume 21, Issue -, Pages 313-330Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2021.03.003
Keywords
Ocular surface; Mucosal epithelia; Glycocalyx; Membrane-associated mucin; O-linked glycosylation; Barrier function; Signal transduction; Oxidative stress; Unfolded protein response
Categories
Funding
- NIH [R01EY026479]
- Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund
- Research to Prevent Blindness
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Mucins are heavily-glycosylated proteins produced by wet epithelial tissues, including the ocular surface epithelia. Membrane-associated mucins (MAMs) play important roles at the ocular surface, maintaining wetness, lubricating the blink, stabilizing the tear film, and serving as a physical barrier. MAMs also function as cell surface receptors transducing information from the outside to the inside of the cell.
Mucins are a family of high molecular weight, heavily-glycosylated proteins produced by wet epithelial tissues, including the ocular surface epithelia. Densely-packed O-linked glycan chains added post-translationally confer the biophysical properties of hydration, lubrication, anti-adhesion and repulsion. Membrane-associated mucins (MAMs) are the distinguishing components of the mucosal glycocalyx. At the ocular surface, MAMs maintain wetness, lubricate the blink, stabilize the tear film, and create a physical barrier to the outside world. In addition, it is increasingly appreciated that MAMs function as cell surface receptors that transduce information from the outside to the inside of the cell. Recently, our team published a comprehensive review/perspectives article for molecular scientists on ocular surface MAMs, including previously unpublished data and analyses on two new genes MUC21 and MUC22, as well as new MAM functions and biological roles, comparing human and mouse (PMID: 31493487). The current article is a refocus for the audience of The Ocular Surface. First, we update the gene and protein information in a more concise form, and include a new section on glycosylation. Next, we discuss biological roles, with some new sections and further updating from our previous review. Finally, we provide a new chapter on MAM involvement in ocular surface disease. We end this with discussion of an emerging mechanism responsible for damage to the epithelia and their mucosal glycocalyces: the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR offers a novel target for therapeutic intervention.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available