The Effects of Cystic Fibrosis on Cell Signaling Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic condition that causes the mutation of the CFTR gene, which contains instructions for making CFTR proteins. CFTR proteins regulate the transport of chloride in and out of cells; if the proteins don’t work properly, the cells are left with a high salt concentration and take up liquid from mucus in attempts to reach equilibrium.The disease most commonly affects the respiratory and digestive systems. In normal bodies, mucus is used in many organ systems to protect against harmful bacteria. However, in a body with C.F., the mucus is too thick to properly function and causes build-up. In the lungs, mucus build-ups can block airways and cause the formation
