Issue 2, 2009

Assessment of the CFTR and ENaC association

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common lethal genetic disorders. It results primarily from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (cftr) gene. These mutations cause inadequate functioning of CFTR, which in turn leads to the severe disruption of transport function in several epithelia across various organs. Affected organs include the sweat glands, the intestine, and the reproductive system, with the most devastating consequences due to the effects of the disease on airways. Despite aggressive treatment, gradual lung failure is the major life limiting factor in patients with CF. Understanding of the exact manner by which defects in the CFTR lead to lung failure is thus critical. In the CF airway, decreased chloridesecretion and increased salt absorption is observed. The decreased chloridesecretion appears to be a direct consequence of defective CFTR; however, the increased salt absorption is believed to result from the failure of CFTR to restrict salt absorption through a sodium channel named the epithelial Na+ channel, ENaC. The mechanism by which CFTR modulates the function of ENaC proteins is still obscure and somewhat controversial. In this short review we will focus on recent findings of a possible direct CFTR and ENaC association.

Graphical abstract: Assessment of the CFTR and ENaC association

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
19 Jun 2008
Accepted
07 Oct 2008
First published
03 Dec 2008

Mol. BioSyst., 2009,5, 123-127

Assessment of the CFTR and ENaC association

B. K. Berdiev, Y. J. Qadri and D. J. Benos, Mol. BioSyst., 2009, 5, 123 DOI: 10.1039/B810471A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements