Mutations in the gene encoding the basal body protein RPGRIP1L, a nephrocystin-4 interactor, cause Joubert syndrome

Protein-protein interaction analyses have uncovered a ciliary and basal body protein network that, when disrupted, can result in nephronophthisis (NPHP), Leber congenital amaurosis, Senior-L?ken syndrome (SLSN) or Joubert syndrome (JBTS). However, details of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders remain poorly understood. RPGRIP1-like protein (RPGRIP1L) is a homolog of RPGRIP1 (RPGR-interacting protein 1), a ciliary protein defective in Leber congenital amaurosis. We show that RPGRIP1L interacts with nephrocystin-4 and that mutations in the gene encoding nephrocystin-4 (NPHP4) that are known to cause SLSN disrupt this interaction. RPGRIP1L is ubiquitously expressed, and its protein product localizes to basal bodies. Therefore, we analyzed RPGRIP1L as a candidate gene for JBTS and identified loss-of-function mutations in three families with typical JBTS, including the characteristic mid-hindbrain malformation. This work identifies RPGRIP1L as a gene responsible for JBTS and establishes a central role for cilia and basal bodies in the pathophysiology of this disorder.     

MAPK uncouples cell cycle progression from cell spreading and cytoskeletal organization in cycling cells

Integrin-mediated cytoskeletal tension supports growth-factor-induced proliferation, and disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in growth factor-stimulated cells prevents the re-expression of cyclin D and cell cycle re-entry from quiescence. In contrast to cells that enter the cell cycle from G0, cycling cells continuously express cyclin D, and are subject to major cell shape changes during the cell cycle. Here, we investigated the cell cycle requirements for cytoskeletal tension and cell spreading in cycling mammalian cells that enter G1-phase from mitosis. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton at progressive time-points in G1-phase induced cell rounding, FA disassembly, and attenuated both integrin signaling and growth factor-induced p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Although cyclin D expression was reduced, the expression of cyclin A and entry into S-phase were not affected. Moreover, expression of cyclin B1, progression through G2- and M-phase, and commitment to a new cell cycle occurred normally. In contrast, cell cycle progression was strongly prevented by inhibition of MAPK activity in G1-phase, whereas cell spreading, cytoskeletal organization, and integrin signaling were not impaired. MAPK inhibition also prevented cytoskeleton-independent cell cycle progression. Thus, these results uncouple the requirements for cell spreading and cytoskeletal organization from MAPK signaling, and show that cycling mammalian cells can proliferate independently of actin stress fibers, focal adhesions, or cell spreading, as long as a threshold level of MAPK activity is sustained.     

Mutations in a human homologue of Drosophila crumbs cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP12).

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases that afflicts approximately 1.5 million people worldwide. Affected individuals suffer from a progressive degeneration of the photoreceptors, eventually resulting in severe visual impairment. To isolate candidate genes for chorioretinal diseases, we cloned cDNAs specifically or preferentially expressed in the human retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) through a novel suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method. One of these cDNAs (RET3C11) mapped to chromosome 1q31-q32.1, a region harbouring a gene involved in a severe form of autosomal recessive RP characterized by a typical preservation of the para-arteriolar RPE (RP12; ref. 3). The full-length cDNA encodes an extracellular protein with 19 EGF-like domains, 3 laminin A G-like domains and a C-type lectin domain. This protein is homologous to the Drosophila melanogaster protein crumbs (CRB), and denoted CRB1 (crumbs homologue 1). In ten unrelated RP patients with preserved para-arteriolar RPE, we identified a homozygous AluY insertion disrupting the ORF, five homozygous missense mutations and four compound heterozygous mutations in CRB1. The similarity to CRB suggests a role for CRB1 in cell-cell interaction and possibly in the maintenance of cell polarity in the retina. The distinct RPE abnormalities observed in RP12 patients suggest that CRB1 mutations trigger a novel mechanism of photoreceptor degeneration.     

Isolation of a candidate gene for Norrie disease by positional cloning.

The gene for Norrie disease, an X-linked disorder characterized by progressive atrophy of the eyes, mental disturbances and deafness, has been mapped to chromosome Xp11.4 close to DXS7 and the monoamine oxidase (MAO) genes. By subcloning a YAC with a 640 kilobases (kb) insert which spans the DXS7-MAOB interval we have generated a cosmid contig which extends 250 kb beyond the MAOB gene. With one of these cosmids, microdeletions were detected in several patients with Norrie disease. Screening of cDNA libraries has enabled us to isolate and sequence a likely candidate gene for Norrie disease which is expressed in retina, choroid and fetal brain. No homologous sequences were found in DNA and protein databases indicating that this cDNA is part of a gene encoding a 'pioneer' protein.     

Loss of CD24 expression promotes ductal branching in the murine mammary gland

CD24 is expressed on mammary stem cells and is used as a marker for their isolation, yet its function in the mammary gland still needs to be examined. Here we show that CD24 is expressed throughout the luminal epithelial cell layer, but only weakly in myoepithelial cells. During lactation, CD24 expression was suppressed within alveoli, but upregulated post-lactation, returning to a pre-pregnant spatial distribution. CD24-deficient mice exhibited an accelerated mammary gland ductal extension during puberty and an enhanced branching morphogenesis, resulting in increased furcation in the ductal structure. CD24−/− mammary epithelial cells were able to completely repopulate cleared mammary fat pads and to give rise to fully functional mammary glands. Together, these data suggest that while CD24 is expressed in mammary epithelium compartments thought to contain stem cells, CD24 is not a major regulator of mammary stem/progenitor cell function, but rather plays a role in governing branching morphogenesis.     

CD24 interacts with and promotes the activity of c-src within lipid rafts in breast cancer cells, thereby increasing integrin-dependent adhesion

Expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein CD24 correlates with a poor prognosis for many human cancers, and in experimental tumors can promote metastasis. However, the mechanism by which CD24 contributes to tumor progression remains unclear. Here we report that in MTLy breast cancer cells CD24 interacts with and augments the kinase activity of c-src, a protein strongly implicated in promoting invasion and metastasis. This occurs within and is dependent upon intact lipid rafts. CD24-augmented c-src kinase activity increased formation of focal adhesion complexes, accelerated phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin and consequently enhanced integrin-mediated adhesion. Loss and gain of function approaches showed that c-src activity is necessary and sufficient to mediate the effects of CD24 on integrin-dependent adhesion and cell spreading, as well as on invasion. Together these results indicate that c-src is a CD24-activated mediator that promotes integrin-mediated adhesion and invasion, and suggest a mechanism by which CD24 might contribute to tumor progression through stimulating the activity of c-src or another member of the Src family.     

Mutations in different components of FGF signaling in LADD syndrome

Lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome is characterized by lacrimal duct aplasia, malformed ears and deafness, small teeth and digital anomalies. We identified heterozygous mutations in the tyrosine kinase domains of the genes encoding fibroblast growth factor receptors 2 and 3 (FGFR2, FGFR3) in LADD families, and in one further LADD family, we detected a mutation in the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10), a known FGFR ligand. These findings increase the spectrum of anomalies associated with abnormal FGF signaling.     

Cloning of a gene that is rearranged in patients with choroideraemia

Choroideraemia (tapetochoroidal dystrophy, TCD), a common form of X-linked blindness, is characterized by progressive dystrophy of the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium and retina. Previous studies have assigned the TCD gene to a small segment of the Xq21 band. By making use of reverse genetics strategies we have isolated eight overlapping complementary DNA clones from the same chromosomal region. The corresponding gene is expressed in retina, choroid and retinal pigment epithelium. The cDNAs encompass an open reading frame of 948 base pairs that is structurally altered in eight TCD patients with deletions, and in a female patient with a balanced translocation involving Xq21. These findings provide strong evidence that we have cloned the gene underlying choroideraemia. Elucidation of its function should provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for this disorder and other hereditary retinopathies.     

Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding noggin affect human joint morphogenesis

The secreted polypeptide noggin (encoded by the Nog gene) binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of signalling proteins (TGFbeta-FMs), such as BMP4 (ref. 1). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than TGFbeta-FMs, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. During mouse embryogenesis, Nog is expressed at multiple sites, including developing bones. Nog-/- mice die at birth from multiple defects that include bony fusion of the appendicular skeleton. We have identified five dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families segregating proximal symphalangism (SYM1; OMIM 185800) and a de novo mutation in a patient with unaffected parents. We also found a dominant NOG mutation in a family segregating multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1; OMIM 186500); both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature. All seven NOG mutations alter evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The findings reported here confirm that NOG is essential for joint formation and suggest that NOG requirements during skeletogenesis differ between species and between specific skeletal elements within species.