NCF1 Gene: History
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neutrophil cytosolic factor 1

  • genes

1. Introduction

The NCF1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (also known as p47-phox). This protein is one part (subunit) of a group of proteins that forms an enzyme complex called NADPH oxidase, which plays an essential role in the immune system. NADPH oxidase is primarily active in immune system cells called phagocytes. These cells catch and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria and fungi. NADPH oxidase is also thought to regulate the activity of immune cells called neutrophils. These cells play a role in adjusting the inflammatory response to optimize healing and reduce injury to the body.

The presence of foreign invaders stimulates phagocytes and triggers the assembly of NADPH oxidase. This enzyme participates in a chemical reaction that converts oxygen to a toxic molecule called superoxide. Superoxide is used to generate several other compounds, including hydrogen peroxide (a strong disinfectant) and hypochlorous acid (the active ingredient in bleach). These highly reactive, toxic substances are known as reactive oxygen species. Phagocytes use these substances to kill foreign invaders, preventing them from reproducing in the body and causing illness.

2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

2.1. Chronic granulomatous disease

Mutations in the NCF1 gene account for about 25 percent of cases of chronic granulomatous disease. People with this disorder are at increased risk of developing recurrent episodes of infection and inflammation due to a weakened immune system. The mutations that cause this disorder occur in both copies of the NCF1 gene in each cell. Ninety-five percent of affected individuals have a mutation known as delta GT that deletes two DNA building blocks from the NCF1 gene in an area called exon 2 (written as 75_76delGT). This genetic change leads to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of neutrophil cytosolic factor 1. Other, less common mutations also disrupt the function or production of neutrophil cytosolic factor 1. Without this protein, NADPH oxidase cannot assemble or function properly. As a result, phagocytes are unable to produce reactive oxygen species to kill foreign invaders and neutrophil activity is not regulated. A lack of NADPH oxidase leaves affected individuals vulnerable to many types of infection and excessive inflammation.

2.2. Williams syndrome

The NCF1 gene is located in a region of chromosome 7 that is often deleted in people with Williams syndrome. Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. As a result of the deletion of part of chromosome 7, some people with this condition are missing one copy of the NCF1 gene in each cell. Researchers have found that the loss of this gene is a protective factor that appears to lower the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). People with Williams syndrome whose NCF1 gene is not deleted have a higher risk of developing hypertension.

People with only one copy of the NCF1 gene have reduced levels of the neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 protein, which decreases the activity of NADPH oxidase and results in the production of fewer reactive oxygen species. Studies suggest that reactive oxygen species play an important role in blood vessel changes related to hypertension.

3. Other Names for This Gene

  • NCF1_HUMAN

  • p47-phox

  • p47phox

  • SH3PXD1A

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/ncf1

References

  1. Babior BM, Lambeth JD, Nauseef W. The neutrophil NADPH oxidase. Arch BiochemBiophys. 2002 Jan 15;397(2):342-4. Review.
  2. Chanock SJ, Roesler J, Zhan S, Hopkins P, Lee P, Barrett DT, Christensen BL,Curnutte JT, Görlach A. Genomic structure of the human p47-phox (NCF1) gene.Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2000 Feb;26(1):37-46.
  3. Del Campo M, Antonell A, Magano LF, Muñoz FJ, Flores R, Bayés M, Pérez Jurado LA. Hemizygosity at the NCF1 gene in patients with Williams-Beuren syndromedecreases their risk of hypertension. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Apr;78(4):533-42.
  4. Jurkowska M, Bernatowska E, Bal J. Genetic and biochemical background ofchronic granulomatous disease. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2004Mar-Apr;52(2):113-20. Review.
  5. Kannengiesser C, Gérard B, El Benna J, Henri D, Kroviarski Y, Chollet-MartinS, Gougerot-Pocidalo MA, Elbim C, Grandchamp B. Molecular epidemiology of chronicgranulomatous disease in a series of 80 kindreds: identification of 31 novelmutations. Hum Mutat. 2008 Sep;29(9):E132-49. doi: 10.1002/humu.20820.
  6. Roesler J, Curnutte JT, Rae J, Barrett D, Patino P, Chanock SJ, Goerlach A.Recombination events between the p47-phox gene and its highly homologouspseudogenes are the main cause of autosomal recessive chronic granulomatousdisease. Blood. 2000 Mar 15;95(6):2150-6.
  7. Roos D, de Boer M, Köker MY, Dekker J, Singh-Gupta V, Ahlin A, Palmblad J,Sanal O, Kurenko-Deptuch M, Jolles S, Wolach B. Chronic granulomatous diseasecaused by mutations other than the common GT deletion in NCF1, the gene encoding the p47phox component of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Hum Mutat. 2006Dec;27(12):1218-29.
  8. Roos D, Kuhns DB, Maddalena A, Bustamante J, Kannengiesser C, de Boer M, vanLeeuwen K, Köker MY, Wolach B, Roesler J, Malech HL, Holland SM, Gallin JI,Stasia MJ. Hematologically important mutations: the autosomal recessive forms of chronic granulomatous disease (second update). Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2010 Apr15;44(4):291-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2010.01.009.
  9. Stasia MJ, Li XJ. Genetics and immunopathology of chronic granulomatousdisease. Semin Immunopathol. 2008 Jul;30(3):209-35. doi:10.1007/s00281-008-0121-8.
  10. Sumimoto H. Structure, regulation and evolution of Nox-family NADPH oxidasesthat produce reactive oxygen species. FEBS J. 2008 Jul;275(13):3249-77. doi:10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06488.x.2008 Aug;275(15):3984.
  11. Vázquez N, Lehrnbecher T, Chen R, Christensen BL, Gallin JI, Malech H, HollandS, Zhu S, Chanock SJ. Mutational analysis of patients with p47-phox-deficientchronic granulomatous disease: The significance of recombination events betweenthe p47-phox gene (NCF1) and its highly homologous pseudogenes. Exp Hematol. 2001Feb;29(2):234-43.
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