Abstract
Nephronophthisis-related ciliopathies (NPHP-RC) are recessive diseases characterized by renal dysplasia or degeneration. We here identify mutations of DCDC2 as causing a renal-hepatic ciliopathy. DCDC2 localizes to the ciliary axoneme and to mitotic spindle fibers in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. Knockdown of Dcdc2 in IMCD3 cells disrupts ciliogenesis, which is rescued by wild-type (WT) human DCDC2, but not by constructs that reflect human mutations. We show that DCDC2 interacts with DVL and DCDC2 overexpression inhibits β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling in an effect additive to Wnt inhibitors. Mutations detected in human NPHP-RC lack these effects. A Wnt inhibitor likewise restores ciliogenesis in 3D IMCD3 cultures, emphasizing the importance of Wnt signaling for renal tubulogenesis. Knockdown of dcdc2 in zebrafish recapitulates NPHP-RC phenotypes, including renal cysts and hydrocephalus, which is rescued by a Wnt inhibitor and by WT, but not by mutant, DCDC2. We thus demonstrate a central role of Wnt signaling in the pathogenesis of NPHP-RC, suggesting an avenue for potential treatment of NPHP-RC.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 81-92 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | American Journal of Human Genetics |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 8 Jan 2015 |
Keywords
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
- Animals
- Cilia
- Computational Biology
- Exons
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Kidney
- Kidney Diseases, Cystic
- Mice
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Microtubule-Associated Proteins
- Mutation
- NIH 3T3 Cells
- Phenotype
- Phosphoproteins
- Wnt Signaling Pathway
- Zebrafish
- beta Catenin