Increased coexpression of CFTR and S100 calcium binding proteins MRP8 and MRP14 mRNAs in cystic fibrosis human tracheal gland cells.

We have demonstrated for the first time, by Northern analysis, the presence of the S-100 calcium binding proteins MRP8 (also called "cystic fibrosis protein") and MRP14 mRNAs in cultured human tracheal gland cells, obtained from normal and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. A significant increase of these mRNAs in cells of CF origin (as well as that of CFTR mRNA) is shown. These results allow us to assume a potential pretranslational regulation of MRP8 and MRP14 gene expression related to the presence of a mutated CFTR gene.