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Role of salivary mucins in the protection of the oral cavity
Author(s) -
Tabak Lawrence A.,
Levine Michael J.,
Mandel Irwin D.,
Ellison Solon A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1982.tb00138.x
Subject(s) - mucin , oral cavity , mucus , immune system , biology , chemistry , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biochemistry , ecology , dentistry
Mucins are the principal organic constituents of mucus, the slimy visco‐elastic material that coats all mucosal surfaces. Compelling evidence suggests that they play an integral role in non‐immune protection of the oral cavity. Specific protective functions include: 1) protection against desiccation and environmental insult, 2) lubrication, and 3) antimicrobial effects against potential pathogens. Biosynthesis of mucin is regulated by both intrinsic (“cooperative sequential specificity”) and extrinsic (“structural modulation”) controls. These controls form the basis by which mucin's structure can be modified to meet a dynamically changing biological need.