May provide a mechanism for modulation of the composition of the protective mucus layer related to acid secretion or the presence of bacteria and noxious agents in the lumen. Plays an important role in the cytoprotection of epithelial surfaces and are used as tumor markers in a variety of cancers. May play a role in epithelial organogenesis. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10209489, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10330458, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11988092}. This is the function of MUC6 (mucin 6, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming (gene/pseudogene), ENSG00000184956).