Deletion of STK40 protein in mice causes respiratory failure and death at birth

Abstract

Background: STK40 is a putative serine/threonine kinase. Little is known about its physiological function. Results: STK40 deletion causes fetal lung immaturity and neonatal death with altered expression of genes important for lung development. Conclusion: STK40 is required for alveolar epithelium maturation and function. Significance: Discovery of the role of STK40 in lung maturation helps to understand the molecular regulation in lung development. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.