Evolutionary conservation of the antimicrobial function of mucus: a first defence against infection

Similarity in the amino acid sequence between qniumucin from jellyfish and human MUC5AC. A similar tandem repeat of eight residues is found in both mucins and the boxes highlight four of these similarities. Although the human mucin is more flexible, both proteins form a gel in water. Reprinted (adapted) with permission from (Masuda et al. Mucin (qniumucin), a glycoprotein from jellyfish, and determination of its main chain structure. J. Nat. Prod. 70, 1089–1092 (2007). Copyright (2007) American Chemical Societ