Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/scnn1b/

SCNN1B gene

sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit beta

Normal Function

The SCNN1B gene provides instructions for making one piece, the beta subunit, of a protein complex called the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). The channel is composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits, each of which is produced from a different gene. These channels are found at the surface of certain cells called epithelial cells in many tissues of the body, including the kidneys, lungs, colon, and sweat glands. The ENaC channel transports sodium into cells.

In the kidney, ENaC channels open in response to signals that sodium levels in the blood are too low, which allows sodium to flow into cells. From the kidney cells, this sodium is returned to the bloodstream (a process called reabsorption) rather than being removed from the body in urine. In addition to regulating the amount of sodium in the body, the flow of sodium ions helps control the movement of water in tissues. For example, ENaC channels in lung cells help regulate the amount of fluid in the lungs.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Liddle syndrome

At least 16 mutations in the SCNN1B gene can cause a condition known as Liddle syndrome. People with Liddle syndrome have high blood pressure (hypertension) and low levels of potassium in their blood (hypokalemia), often beginning in childhood. Mutations in the SCNN1B gene associated with Liddle syndrome lead to the production of an abnormally short beta subunit protein or result in the replacement of a single protein building block (amino acid) in the protein. These changes affect an important region of the protein involved in signaling for its breakdown (degradation). As a result of the mutations, the protein is not degraded, and more ENaC channels remain at the cell surface. The increase in channels at the cell surface abnormally increases the reabsorption of sodium (followed by water), which leads to hypertension. Reabsorption of sodium into the blood is linked with removal of potassium from the blood, so excess sodium reabsorption leads to hypokalemia.

More About This Health Condition

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1

Mutations in the SCNN1B gene have been identified in people with pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1). This condition typically begins in infancy and is characterized by low levels of sodium (hyponatremia) and high levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) in the blood, and severe dehydration due to the loss of excess sodium and fluid in urine. In particular, SCNN1B gene mutations are involved in autosomal recessive PHA1, a severe form of the condition that does not improve with age.

Mutations in the SCNN1B gene that cause PHA1 often result in the replacement of a single amino acid in the beta subunit protein or lead to an abnormally short protein. These mutations result in reduced or absent ENaC channel activity. As a result, sodium reabsorption is impaired, leading to hyponatremia and other signs and symptoms of autosomal recessive PHA1. The reduced function of ENaC channels in lung epithelial cells leads to excess fluid in the lungs and recurrent lung infections.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Some people with cystic fibrosis-like syndrome have a mutation or a normal gene variation (polymorphism) in the SCNN1B gene. People with cystic fibrosis-like syndrome (also known as atypical cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis with or without elevated sweat chloride type 1) have signs and symptoms that resemble those of cystic fibrosis, including breathing problems and lung infections. However, changes in the gene most commonly associated with cystic fibrosis, CFTR, cannot explain development of the condition. It is thought that a mutation or gene variation in the SCNN1B gene can disrupt sodium transport and fluid balance, which leads to the signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis-like syndrome.

Other Names for This Gene

  • amiloride-sensitive sodium channel subunit beta
  • BESC1
  • beta-ENaC
  • beta-NaCH
  • ENaCb
  • ENaCbeta
  • epithelial Na(+) channel subunit beta
  • nasal epithelial sodium channel beta subunit
  • SCNEB
  • SCNNB_HUMAN
  • sodium channel, non voltage gated 1 beta subunit
  • sodium channel, non-voltage-gated 1, beta subunit
  • sodium channel, nonvoltage-gated 1, beta

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Abriel H, Loffing J, Rebhun JF, Pratt JH, Schild L, Horisberger JD, Rotin D, Staub O. Defective regulation of the epithelial Na+ channel by Nedd4 in Liddle's syndrome. J Clin Invest. 1999 Mar;103(5):667-73. doi: 10.1172/JCI5713. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Azad AK, Rauh R, Vermeulen F, Jaspers M, Korbmacher J, Boissier B, Bassinet L, Fichou Y, des Georges M, Stanke F, De Boeck K, Dupont L, Balascakova M, Hjelte L, Lebecque P, Radojkovic D, Castellani C, Schwartz M, Stuhrmann M, Schwarz M, Skalicka V, de Monestrol I, Girodon E, Ferec C, Claustres M, Tummler B, Cassiman JJ, Korbmacher C, Cuppens H. Mutations in the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel in patients with cystic fibrosis-like disease. Hum Mutat. 2009 Jul;30(7):1093-103. doi: 10.1002/humu.21011. Citation on PubMed
  • Bogdanovic R, Kuburovic V, Stajic N, Mughal SS, Hilger A, Ninic S, Prijic S, Ludwig M. Liddle syndrome in a Serbian family and literature review of underlying mutations. Eur J Pediatr. 2012 Mar;171(3):471-8. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1581-8. Epub 2011 Sep 29. Citation on PubMed
  • Canessa CM, Schild L, Buell G, Thorens B, Gautschi I, Horisberger JD, Rossier BC. Amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel is made of three homologous subunits. Nature. 1994 Feb 3;367(6462):463-7. doi: 10.1038/367463a0. Citation on PubMed
  • Chang SS, Grunder S, Hanukoglu A, Rosler A, Mathew PM, Hanukoglu I, Schild L, Lu Y, Shimkets RA, Nelson-Williams C, Rossier BC, Lifton RP. Mutations in subunits of the epithelial sodium channel cause salt wasting with hyperkalaemic acidosis, pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1. Nat Genet. 1996 Mar;12(3):248-53. doi: 10.1038/ng0396-248. Citation on PubMed
  • Chen SY, Bhargava A, Mastroberardino L, Meijer OC, Wang J, Buse P, Firestone GL, Verrey F, Pearce D. Epithelial sodium channel regulated by aldosterone-induced protein sgk. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Mar 2;96(5):2514-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.5.2514. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Hansson JH, Schild L, Lu Y, Wilson TA, Gautschi I, Shimkets R, Nelson-Williams C, Rossier BC, Lifton RP. A de novo missense mutation of the beta subunit of the epithelial sodium channel causes hypertension and Liddle syndrome, identifying a proline-rich segment critical for regulation of channel activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995 Dec 5;92(25):11495-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.25.11495. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Masilamani S, Kim GH, Mitchell C, Wade JB, Knepper MA. Aldosterone-mediated regulation of ENaC alpha, beta, and gamma subunit proteins in rat kidney. J Clin Invest. 1999 Oct;104(7):R19-23. doi: 10.1172/JCI7840. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Mutesa L, Azad AK, Verhaeghe C, Segers K, Vanbellinghen JF, Ngendahayo L, Rusingiza EK, Mutwa PR, Rulisa S, Koulischer L, Cassiman JJ, Cuppens H, Bours V. Genetic analysis of Rwandan patients with cystic fibrosis-like symptoms: identification of novel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and epithelial sodium channel gene variants. Chest. 2009 May;135(5):1233-1242. doi: 10.1378/chest.08-2246. Epub 2008 Nov 18. Citation on PubMed
  • Sheridan MB, Fong P, Groman JD, Conrad C, Flume P, Diaz R, Harris C, Knowles M, Cutting GR. Mutations in the beta-subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel in patients with a cystic fibrosis-like syndrome. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Nov 15;14(22):3493-8. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddi374. Epub 2005 Oct 5. Citation on PubMed
  • Shimkets RA, Warnock DG, Bositis CM, Nelson-Williams C, Hansson JH, Schambelan M, Gill JR Jr, Ulick S, Milora RV, Findling JW, et al. Liddle's syndrome: heritable human hypertension caused by mutations in the beta subunit of the epithelial sodium channel. Cell. 1994 Nov 4;79(3):407-14. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(94)90250-x. Citation on PubMed
  • Snyder PM, Price MP, McDonald FJ, Adams CM, Volk KA, Zeiher BG, Stokes JB, Welsh MJ. Mechanism by which Liddle's syndrome mutations increase activity of a human epithelial Na+ channel. Cell. 1995 Dec 15;83(6):969-78. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(95)90212-0. Citation on PubMed
  • Staub O, Gautschi I, Ishikawa T, Breitschopf K, Ciechanover A, Schild L, Rotin D. Regulation of stability and function of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) by ubiquitination. EMBO J. 1997 Nov 3;16(21):6325-36. doi: 10.1093/emboj/16.21.6325. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Warnock DG. Liddle syndrome: genetics and mechanisms of Na+ channel defects. Am J Med Sci. 2001 Dec;322(6):302-7. doi: 10.1097/00000441-200112000-00002. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.