NCF1 is a 47 kDa cytosolic subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex . The protein is essential for the activation of the NADPH oxidase complex, which is crucial for the production of superoxide anion . NCF1 cooperates with other subunits, such as NCF2 (p67phox), NCF4 (p40phox), CYBB (gp91phox), and CYBA (p22phox), to form a functional enzyme complex .
Mutations in the NCF1 gene have been linked to Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), an inherited immunodeficiency disorder characterized by the inability of phagocytes to produce reactive oxygen species . This results in recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Additionally, genetic variability in the NCF1 gene has been associated with a higher risk of autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus .
Recombinant NCF1 is produced using E. coli expression systems and is often tagged with a His-tag for purification purposes . The recombinant protein is used in various research applications to study the function and regulation of the NADPH oxidase complex, as well as to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases associated with NCF1 dysfunction .