A Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Susceptibility Gene, FAM13A, Regulates Protein Stability of β-Catenin.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

A genetic locus within the FAM13A gene has been consistently associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in genome-wide association studies. However, the mechanisms by which FAM13A contributes to COPD susceptibility are unknown.

Objectives

To determine the biologic function of FAM13A in human COPD and murine COPD models and discover the molecular mechanism by which FAM13A influences COPD susceptibility.

Methods

Fam13a null mice (Fam13a(-/-)) were generated and exposed to cigarette smoke. The lung inflammatory response and airspace size were assessed in Fam13a(-/-) and Fam13a(+/+) littermate control mice. Cellular localization of FAM13A protein and mRNA levels of FAM13A in COPD lungs were assessed using immunofluorescence, Western blotting, a

SUBMITTER: Jiang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5003213 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature