WNK2 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: In addition, it is implicated in genes involved in apoptosis via mTOR signaling pathway and proteolysis as RICTOR (Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR), MMP23B (matrix metalloproteinases 23 B) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), those two pathways are intensively involved in extracellular matrix degradation and emphysematous parenchymal destruction in COPD.