it interacts with two other PBI fold family members, BPIFB2 and BPIFB3. Further, silencing of the BPIFB6 gene caused dramatic changes in the morphology of the Golgi complex, Golgi fragmentation, and disruption of normal cytoplasmic vesicles. This all points to a role for BPIFB6 in secretory pathway trafficking, which is was further illustrated by its effects on viral replication. Viruses such as coxsackievirus B (CVB) and poliovirus (PV) co-opt the host cell's secretory pathway, which controls the transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex, to facilitate their replication. When the BPIFB6 gene was silenced, CVB and PV replication was blocked. BPIFB6's association with mucosa containing tissues re-emerged in a study of biomarkers in rectal cancer. In an epigenome-wide analysis of DNA methylation, BPIB6/BPIL3 was one of two genes were significantly hypomethylated. Also, tonsils which are mucosal lymphatic tissues, can become enlarged (hypertrophic) following inflammation from infection and recurrent pharyngitis (sore throat). Hypertrophic tonsils have been shown to have highly elevated expression of BPIFB6/BPIL3. References External links Human proteins Genes Genes on human chromosome 20