SFTPA12

SFTPA12 is a term that has appeared in some scientific literature as a proposed member of the surfactant protein A (SFTPA) gene family. However, it is not an officially recognized gene symbol in major databases such as HGNC, NCBI Gene, or Ensembl, and no canonical sequence or protein product is publicly documented. The name likely derives from the SFTPA gene cluster, which includes SFTPA1 and SFTPA2 that encode surfactant protein A isoforms involved in innate immunity and pulmonary surfactant regulation. SFTPA12, if used, may represent a misannotation, a proposed alternate splice variant, a paralog, or a shorthand used by a particular study prior to formal validation.

Genomic and functional context: Without a validated entry, there is no defined genomic locus for SFTPA12. In general, surfactant protein A family members are expressed primarily by alveolar type II cells in the lung and participate in pathogen recognition, opsonization, and modulation of inflammatory responses. If a bona fide SFTPA12 transcript exists, its expression pattern, protein product, and functional role would require experimental validation and independent replication.

Clinical relevance: At present, SFTPA12 has no established clinical associations. Research investigators who encounter the term should verify nomenclature against current catalogs and await formal annotation before interpreting results.

See also: SFTPA1, SFTPA2, SFTPB, SFTPC, SFTPD.