PLUNC polypeptide

Patent Granted Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone protein[1] (PLUNC) is a gene encoding a 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. 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,[4] and also has anti-microbial functions.