Plunc

Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone protein (PLUNC) is a is_associated_with::gene encoding a is_associated_with::secretory protein. It is also called Secretory protein in upper respiratory tracts (SPURT). In humans, it is encoded by the BPIFA1 gene, previously called PLUNC.

Function
This gene is the human homolog of murine plunc, and like the mouse gene, is specifically expressed in the airways and nasopharyngeal regions. Whilst for years, the biological function of this gene was not known, recent data have demonstrated that plunc specifically inhibits the epithelial Na+ channel, and also has anti-microbial functions. As such, plunc is believed to play a role in innate defense in the airways. PLUNC's ability to regulate ENaC is pH-sensitive and fails in acidic cystic fibrosis airwayshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24043776. Thus, defective PLUNC1 function is thought to contribute to the development of lung pathology in cystic fibrosis patients.

It may also serve as a potential molecular marker for detection of micrometastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer. Multiple transcript variants resulting from alternative splicing in the 3' UTR have been detected, but the full-length nature of only two is known.