Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis, a disease of the Caucasian population, is associated with defective CL regulation and is essentially a disorder of epithehal cells (113,114). The defect arises at several levels in the CL ion transporter, ie, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulation (CFTR), and is associated with defective CL transport and defective processing, whereby the protein is not correctiy incorporated into the cell membrane. The most common mutation, affecting approximately 60% of patients, is termed F 608 and designates the loss of phenylalanine at this position. This mutation appears to be at least 50,000 years old, which suggests that its survival may have had evolutionary significance (115). 

The gene defective in cystic fibrosis codes for CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane condnctance regulator), a membrane protein that pumps CP out of cells. If this CP pump is defective, CP ions remain in cells, which then take up water from the surrounding mucus by osmosis. The mucus thickens and accumulates in various organs, including the lungs, where its presence favors infections such as pneumonia. Left untreated, children with cystic fibrosis seldom survive past the age of 5 years. 

Specific ion electrodes, similar in design to the glass electrode, have been developed to analyze for a variety of cations and anions. One of the first to be used extensively was a fluoride ion electrode that is sensitive to F- at concentrations as low as 0.1 part per million and hence is ideal for monitoring fluoridated water supplies. An electrode that is specific for Cl- ions is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis. Attached directly to the skin, it detects the abnormally high concentrations of sodium chloride in sweat that are a characteristic symptom of this disorder. Diagnoses that used to require an hour or more can now be carried out in a few minutes as a result, large numbers of children can be screened rapidly and routinely. 

CFTR has a single-channel conductance of about 8 pS. It is present in the apical membranes of many epithelia. Its mutation leads to the potentially lethal disease cystic fibrosis. In addition to acting as a chloride channel, CFTR is also thought to regulate, e.g., the epithelial sodium channel ENaC, a molecularly unknown outwardly-rectifying chloride channel, and possibly also potassium channels and water channels. Some of these potential regulatory processes, however, are controversial. CFTR also acts as a receptor for bacteria. 

A number of different low molecular weight compounds are known to stablize proteins in their native conformation and, therefore, may be effective in correcting of protein folding abnormalities in vivo. Relevant compounds are iV-acetyl-L-lysine, L-camitine, taurine, betaine, ectoine, and hydroxy-ectoine [4]. Some of these chemical chaperones and pharmacological chaperones are already used in clinical trials to combat protein folding diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. 

PA S1 S01.131 Neutrophil elastase Drug target for emphysema, cystic fibrosis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases... 

Disorders caused by misfolded mutant proteins that fail to pass the quality control system of the ER (e.g., mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) causing cystic fibrosis). The mutant proteins are retrotranslocated into the cytosol and finally subjected to proteolysis. In some... 

Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Benzo(c)quinolizinium derivatives, VRT-325... 

In Cystic fibrosis a point mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CTFR) prevents transport of this molecule to the cell surface. Instead this otherwise functional molecule is degraded by the ERAD-ubiquitin proteasome pathway. 

These drug are prescribed as replacement therapy for those with pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. Conditions or diseases that may cause a decrease in or absence of pancreatic digestive enzymes include cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, cancer of the pancreas,... 

Demonstration ofthe nature ofthe genetic defects in cystic fibrosis. 

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