Question

Describe three different structural features of mucins, and how they contribute to the function of the mucin barrier that protects from viruses such as COVID-19

Answer 1

Answer)Mucins are high molecular weight glycoprotein, they consist of polypeptide backbone to which sugar molecules attach through O-linkage to amino acids.These coats the ssurface of respiratory, digestive system.These are made up of few amino acids to thousands of amino acids. These domains are tandemly repeated that vary in number,sequence and amino acid sequence. There are different forms of mucins such as MUC1 and 4 that are membrane bound whereas MUC3,6 and 8 these cannot be classified. Mucin barrier helps in the protection of mucosal membrane and takes an important role in cellular differentiation.signalling and adhesion,these have a critical role in attachment and invasion of specific host and tissue.Thereby providing a barrier against virus,pathogens.