Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/sftpc/

SFTPC gene

surfactant protein C

Normal Function

The SFTPC gene provides instructions for making a protein called surfactant protein-C (SP-C). This protein is one of four proteins (each produced from a different gene) in surfactant, a mixture of certain fats (called phospholipids) and proteins that lines the lung tissue and makes breathing easy. Without normal surfactant, the tissue surrounding the air sacs in the lungs (the alveoli) sticks together after exhalation (because of a force called surface tension), causing the alveoli to collapse. As a result, filling the lungs with air on each breath becomes very difficult, and the delivery of oxygen to the body is impaired. Surfactant lowers surface tension, easing breathing and avoiding lung collapse. The SP-C protein helps spread the surfactant across the surface of the lung tissue, aiding in the surface tension-lowering property of surfactant.

The phospholipids and proteins that make up surfactant are packaged in cellular structures known as lamellar bodies, which are found in specialized lung cells. The surfactant proteins must go through several processing steps to mature and become functional; some of these steps occur in lamellar bodies.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Surfactant dysfunction

More than 35 mutations in the SFTPC gene have been identified in people with surfactant dysfunction. When this condition is caused by mutations in the SFTPC gene (sometimes called SP-C dysfunction), it can cause severe breathing problems in newborns or gradual onset of milder breathing problems in children or adults.

SFTPC gene mutations associated with surfactant dysfunction affect the processing of the SP-C protein. Many of the mutations occur in a particular region of the gene called the BRICHOS domain, which appears to be involved in the processing and cellular placement of the SP-C protein.

Mutations in the SFTPC gene result in a reduction or absence of mature SP-C and a buildup of abnormal forms of SP-C. It is unclear which of these outcomes causes the signs and symptoms of SP-C dysfunction. Lack of mature SP-C can lead to abnormal composition of surfactant and decreased surfactant function. The loss of functional surfactant would raise surface tension in the alveoli, causing difficulty breathing and collapse of the lungs. Alternatively, research suggests that abnormally processed SP-C proteins form the wrong three-dimensional shape and accumulate inside lung cells. These misfolded proteins may trigger a cellular response that results in cell damage and death. This damage may disrupt surfactant production and release, leading to the breathing problems associated with surfactant dysfunction.

More About This Health Condition

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • BRICD6
  • PSP-C
  • PSPC_HUMAN
  • pulmonary surfactant apoprotein-2 SP-C
  • pulmonary surfactant-associated protein C
  • pulmonary surfactant-associated proteolipid SPL(Val)
  • SFTP2
  • SMDP2
  • SP-C
  • SP5

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Guillot L, Epaud R, Thouvenin G, Jonard L, Mohsni A, Couderc R, Counil F, de Blic J, Taam RA, Le Bourgeois M, Reix P, Flamein F, Clement A, Feldmann D. New surfactant protein C gene mutations associated with diffuse lung disease. J Med Genet. 2009 Jul;46(7):490-4. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2009.066829. Epub 2009 May 13. Erratum In: J Med Genet. 2010 Jul;47(7):485. Citation on PubMed
  • Hamvas A, Nogee LM, White FV, Schuler P, Hackett BP, Huddleston CB, Mendeloff EN, Hsu FF, Wert SE, Gonzales LW, Beers MF, Ballard PL. Progressive lung disease and surfactant dysfunction with a deletion in surfactant protein C gene. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2004 Jun;30(6):771-6. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2003-0323OC. Epub 2003 Dec 4. Citation on PubMed
  • Mulugeta S, Maguire JA, Newitt JL, Russo SJ, Kotorashvili A, Beers MF. Misfolded BRICHOS SP-C mutant proteins induce apoptosis via caspase-4- and cytochrome c-related mechanisms. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2007 Sep;293(3):L720-9. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00025.2007. Epub 2007 Jun 22. Citation on PubMed
  • Weaver TE. Synthesis, processing and secretion of surfactant proteins B and C. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1998 Nov 19;1408(2-3):173-9. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4439(98)00066-0. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.