Estrogen (IMAGE)
Caption
Estrogen (black and red molecule: top of diagram) can exacerbate the effects of cystic fibrosis in women, accounting for a gender gap in disease severity and lethality.
The large, multicolored image overlaying the lung is the membrane protein KCNQ1, which acts as a channel for ion flow. A modulator protein KCNE3 (seen in bright red) docks and forms a complex with KCEQ1, causing the ion channel to stay in an open position, allowing the unimpeded flow of ions.
The presence of estrogen can disrupt this ion channel, causing a buildup of fluid in epithelial tissue and increasing susceptibility to bacterial infection in CF patients.
Credit
Wade van Horn Biodesign Institute for Personalized Diagnostics
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