MUC13

MUC13 (mucin 13) is a high-molecular-weight transmembrane glycoprotein typically expressed in the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, serving protective and lubricating functions for mucosal epithelium. It is composed of α and β subunits, including an N-terminal signal peptide, tandem repeat (TR) domains, and a sea urchin sperm protein, enterokinase, and agrin (SEA) domain. The MUC13 gene contains 12 exons encoding 511 amino acids. MUC13 is involved in various pathological processes by promoting cell proliferation and migration, inhibiting apoptosis, and reducing cell adhesion. It plays a significant role in the regulation of inflammation and the development of tumors, especially in various epithelial cancers such as gastric, colorectal, and ovarian cancers, where aberrant expression of MUC13 has been widely observed. MUC13 affects the proliferation, invasion, and survival of tumor cells by activating signaling pathways including EGFR/PI3K/AKT, Wnt, and NF-κB. Due to its potential role in tumor development, MUC13 is considered a promising target for early cancer diagnosis and treatment, and research on it aids in the development of new cancer therapeutic strategies.