CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), sometimes also referred as ABCC7 (ATP-binding cassette, Subfamily C, Member 7), is a member of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter family. CFTR functions as a chloride channel and controls the regulation of other transport pathways. Homozygous mutations in the CFTR gene cause cystic fibrosis (CF), formerly known as mucoviscidosis, a common hereditary disorder characterized by severe abnormalities in respiratory, digestive and other organ systems. Approximately 70% of the mutations in CF patients correspond to a specific deletion of 3 base pairs, which results in the loss of a phenylalanine at position 508. The approaches aimed to restore the CFTR gene function in CF patients are the subject of intensive research and include the development of gene therapy protocols. In addition to CF syndrome, CFTR mutations were found in patients suffering from bilateral aplasia of the vas deferens (CBAVD). The high frequency of CFTR defects in the human population can be explained by increased resistance to infectious diseases in heterozygous mutation carriers. In immunohistochemistry, CFTR has membranous positivity in pancreatic intercalated ducts, in the salivary gland and in the gallbladder. References: The UniProt Consortium. Nucleic Acids Res. 47: D506-515 (2019); Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 Jan 4;44(D1):D733-45, PMID:26553804;