Mucins are a class of glycoproteins that serve key roles in tissue protection, hydration, and lubrication. However, their study and application are complicated by their post-translational modifications, heterogeneity, and their propensity to deteriorate upon isolation. As a result, several groups have made strides in synthesizing mucin-mimicking compounds for systematic study and therapeutic applications. In this paper, we review general mucin structure, recent trends in the design and synthesis of mucin mimics, and the ways mucin analogues can outperform native mucins. Specifically, we highlight the structures of lubricin and aggrecan, which are the subject of many biomimetic approaches. Furthermore, we showcase the structural features that allow analogues to mimic mucin functions and categorize them based on their roles as monolayer coatings, gel formers, or adhesion promoters. Lastly, we examine the chemical composition of mucin analogues, emphasizing how modular approaches provide flexibility to repurpose mucin mimics for different applications.

粘蛋白是一类糖蛋白，在组织保护，水合作用和润滑中起关键作用。然而，它们的研究和应用由于其翻译后修饰，异质性以及它们在分离后变质的倾向而变得复杂。结果，几个小组在合成用于模拟研究和治疗应用的模拟粘蛋白的化合物方面取得了长足的进步。在本文中，我们综述了粘蛋白的一般结构，粘蛋白模拟物设计和合成的最新趋势，以及粘蛋白类似物优于天然粘蛋白的方式。具体来说，我们重点介绍了许多仿生方法的主题润滑脂和聚集蛋白聚糖的结构。此外，我们展示了允许类似物模仿粘蛋白功能的结构特征，并根据其作为单层涂层的作用对其进行分类，凝胶形成剂或增粘剂。最后，我们研究了粘蛋白类似物的化学组成，强调了模块化方法如何灵活地将粘蛋白模拟物重新用于不同的应用。