Cystic Fibrosis and RNF5 Graphic, Unveristy of California San Diego (image)
Caption
In healthy people, the CFTR protein is embedded in the membrane of most cells, where it forms a channel for chlorine ions. In people with cystic fibrosis, an inherited mutation in the CFTR gene means their channels don't work as well and cells produce more mucus. The RNF5 protein inhibits CFTR, so people with cystic fibrosis who have genetic variations that decrease RNF5 expression have CFTR channels that function a little better, and thus aren't as prone to infections as people with highRNF5 expression.
Credit
UC San Diego Health Sciences
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