title: The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in reproductive health and disease.
abstract: The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an anion channel regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation, which is expressed in epithelial cells of a wide variety of tissues including the reproductive tracts. Mutations in the gene encoding CFTR cause cystic fibrosis, a common genetic disease in Caucasian populations with a multitude of clinical manifestations including infertility/subfertility in both sexes. However, the physiological role of CFTR in reproduction and its involvement in the pathogenesis of reproductive diseases remain largely unknown. This review discusses the role of CFTR in regulating fluid volume and bicarbonate secretion in the reproductive tracts and their importance in various reproductive events. We also discuss the contribution of CFTR dysfunction to a number of pathological conditions. The evidence presented is consistent with an important role of CFTR in reproductive health and disease, suggesting that CFTR might be a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive diseases including infertility.
authors.affiliation: Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. hsiaocchan@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Hsiao Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ye Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Min Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen Ming
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Wen Ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xiao Hu
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000502:physiology; D013083:Sperm Transport / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator