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Definition

noun, plural: mucins

Any of the class of glycoproteins found in mucus (e.g. saliva, gastric juice, etc.) secreted by mucous membranes to lubricate or protect body surfaces of vertebrates.

Supplement

Over production or secretion of mucin occurs in many adenocarcinomas, such as in caner of the pancreas, lung, breast, ovary, colon, etc. Mucin is also overly expressed in the presence of lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, etc.

Word origin: muc- » from Latin mūcus (mucus) + -in (pertaining to)
Related forms: mucinous, mucinoid (adjective)

See also: mucolytic