MUC15, a member of the mucin family, is a heavily glycosylated transmembrane protein with the primary functions of lubricating surfaces, establishing a selective molecular barrier at the epithelium and mediating signal transduction. Aberrant expression of MUC15 plays a crucial role in the progression of multiple diseases, including malignant tumors. MUC15 has been identified as a tumor suppressor, but current evidence indicate its function as an oncogene in different types of cancers. MUC15 has been shown to be involved in the development of cancer and influence cellular growth, adhesion, invasion, metastasis and immune immunomodulation. However, the precise role of MUC15 in tumour development has not been thoroughly clarified. Here, we systematically summarize the structure and function of MUC15 in cancer, and discuss its potential role in cancer treatment.

MUC15 是粘蛋白家族的一员，是一种高度糖基化的跨膜蛋白，主要功能是润滑表面，在上皮建立选择性分子屏障并介导信号转导。MUC15 的异常表达在包括恶性肿瘤在内的多种疾病的进展中起着至关重要的作用。MUC15 已被确定为肿瘤抑制因子，但目前的证据表明其在不同类型的癌症中作为致癌基因的功能。MUC15 已被证明参与癌症的发展并影响细胞生长、粘附、侵袭、转移和免疫免疫调节。然而，MUC15 在肿瘤发展中的确切作用尚未完全阐明。在这里，我们系统地总结了 MUC15 在癌症中的结构和功能，