MUC1, mucin core

MUC1 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, which is widely expressed on the surface of epithelial cells and has protective and lubricating functions. In cancer cells, MUC1 usually shows abnormal overexpression and glycosylation changes, which are closely related to the invasiveness and metastasis ability of the tumor. The mucin core region of MUC1 is located in its extracellular domain, rich in proline, threonine and serine (PTS domain), and is the main site of glycosylation modification. Abnormal glycosylation in this area can expose new antigenic epitopes, promoting tumor immune escape and intercellular interactions. Furthermore, the study found that the mucin core region of MUC1 can bind to domain 1 of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1. This interaction may play an important role in the adhesion, migration and immune regulation processes between tumor cells and immune cells.