Mucin granule-associated proteins in human bronchial epithelial cells: the airway goblet cell "granulome".

ABSTRACT:

Background

Excess mucus in the airways leads to obstruction in diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Mucins, the highly glycosolated protein components of mucus, are stored in membrane-bound granules housed in the cytoplasm of airway epithelial "goblet" cells until they are secreted into the airway lumen via an exocytotic process. Precise mechanism(s) of mucin secretion, including the specific proteins involved in the process, have yet to be elucidated. Previously, we have shown that the Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) protein regulates mucin secretion by orchestrating translocation of mucin granules from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, where the granules dock, fuse and release their contents into the airway lumen. Associated w

SUBMITTER: Raiford KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3184067 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature