Table 3.
Description of Statistically Significant Expression of Genes in Lung Panel
| Gene symbol | RefSeq description⁎ | Fetal gene expression pattern† | Basis of differential gene expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANXA5 | The protein encoded by this gene has been implicated in membrane-related events along exocytotic and endocytotic pathways; Annexin 5 is a phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C inhibitory protein with calcium channel activity and a potential role in cellular signal transduction, inflammation, growth and differentiation; Annexin 5 also has been described as a placental anticoagulant protein | 146 | Decreasing with gestational age |
| CASC3 | The product of this gene is a core component of the EJC and functions in NMD; the encoded protein binds RNA and interacts with two other EJC core components. | 130 | Increasing with gestational age |
| GUSB | This gene encodes a hydrolase that degrades glycosaminoglycans, including heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and chondroitin-4,6-sulfate; mutations in this gene result in mucopolysaccharidosis type VII | 31 | Decreasing with gestational age |
| MTOR | The protein encoded by this gene belongs to a family of phosphatidylinositol kinase-related kinases; these kinases mediate cellular responses to stresses such as DNA damage and nutrient deprivation | 79 | Female > male |
| PPIA | This gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and accelerates the folding of proteins; the encoded protein is a cyclosporin binding–protein and may play a role in cyclosporin A–mediated immunosuppression | 359 | Decreasing with gestational age |
| STAT2 | The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the STAT protein family; in response to cytokines and growth factors, STAT family members are phosphorylated by the receptor associated kinases and act as transcription activators; it is thought to be involved in the process of blocking IFN-alpha response by adenovirus | 22 | Female > male |
| ZNF264 | This gene encodes a zinc finger protein and belongs to the Kruppel C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family; it is thought to regulate transcription | 19 | Increasing with gestational age |
EJC, exon junction complex; IFN, interferon; NMD, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
⁎
RefSeq is available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/refseq/rsg.
†
Approximate level of gene expression based on expressed sequence tag (EST) profile from Unigene.