MUC7 Diagram (IMAGE)
Caption
An illustration shows the MUC7 protein in humans. This bottlebrush-shaped protein, found in saliva, contains repeating units (shown in blue). Repeats of this kind may have conferred an evolutionary advantage to humans and other primates, possibly by enhancing traits of saliva such as its lubricity and its ability to bind to microbes (a capability that may help curb disease).
Credit
Credit: Duo "Erica" Xu
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This image may only be used with news stories discussing the research outlined in the associated press release.
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