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Li Y, Xu C, Zhao F, Liu Q, Qiu X, Li M, Yang Y, Yu S, Tong H, Zhang L, Chen B, Qu L, Yu Z. Podocyte-specific Nup160 knockout mice develop nephrotic syndrome and glomerulosclerosis. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:667-676. [PMID: 38224683 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 60 monogenic genes mutated in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) have been identified. Our previous study found that mutations in nucleoporin 160 kD (NUP160) are implicated in SRNS. The NUP160 gene encodes a component of the nuclear pore complex. Recently, two siblings with homozygous NUP160 mutations presented with SRNS and a nervous system disorder. However, replication of nephrotic syndrome (NS)-associated phenotypes in a mammalian model following loss of Nup160 is needed to prove that NUP160 mutations cause SRNS. Here, we generated a podocyte-specific Nup160 knockout (Nup160podKO) mouse model using CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre/loxP technologies. We investigated NS-associated phenotypes in these Nup160podKO mice. We verified efficient abrogation of Nup160 in Nup160podKO mice at both the DNA and protein levels. We showed that Nup160podKO mice develop typical signs of NS. Nup160podKO mice exhibited progression of proteinuria to average albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) levels of 15.06 ± 2.71 mg/mg at 26 weeks, and had lower serum albumin levels of 13.13 ± 1.34 g/l at 30 weeks. Littermate control mice had urinary ACR mean values of 0.03 mg/mg and serum albumin values of 22.89 ± 0.34 g/l at the corresponding ages. Further, Nup160podKO mice exhibited glomerulosclerosis compared with littermate control mice. Podocyte-specific Nup160 knockout in mice led to NS and glomerulosclerosis. Thus, our findings strongly support that mutations in NUP160 cause SRNS. The newly generated Nup160podKO mice are a reliable mammalian model for future study of the pathogenesis of NUP160-associated SRNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
| | - Chan Xu
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Qinghong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Xiaojian Qiu
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Pathology, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Yonghui Yang
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Shentong Yu
- Department of Pathology, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Huajuan Tong
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Lifang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Bing Chen
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
| | - Lijuan Qu
- Department of Pathology, Fuzong Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, 156 Xi Er Huan Bei Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Zihua Yu
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital, 966 Heng Yu Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350014, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Critical Diseases Research, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China
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Fernández-Jiménez N, Martinez-Garcia M, Varas J, Gil-Dones F, Santos JL, Pradillo M. The scaffold nucleoporins SAR1 and SAR3 are essential for proper meiotic progression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1285695. [PMID: 38111849 PMCID: PMC10725928 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1285695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear Pore Complexes (NPCs) are embedded in the nuclear envelope (NE), regulating macromolecule transport and physically interacting with chromatin. The NE undergoes dramatic breakdown and reformation during plant cell division. In addition, this structure has a specific meiotic function, anchoring and positioning telomeres to facilitate the pairing of homologous chromosomes. To elucidate a possible function of the structural components of the NPCs in meiosis, we have characterized several Arabidopsis lines with mutations in genes encoding nucleoporins belonging to the outer ring complex. Plants defective for either SUPPRESSOR OF AUXIN RESISTANCE1 (SAR1, also called NUP160) or SAR3 (NUP96) present condensation abnormalities and SPO11-dependent chromosome fragmentation in a fraction of meiocytes, which is increased in the double mutant sar1 sar3. We also observed these meiotic defects in mutants deficient in the outer ring complex protein HOS1, but not in mutants affected in other components of this complex. Furthermore, our findings may suggest defects in the structure of NPCs in sar1 and a potential link between the meiotic role of this nucleoporin and a component of the RUBylation pathway. These results provide the first insights in plants into the role of nucleoporins in meiotic chromosome behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Fernández-Jiménez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Martinez-Garcia
- Department of Biotechnology-Plant Biology, School of Agricultural, Food and Biosystems Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Félix Gil-Dones
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Santos
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Pradillo
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Margalha L, Elias A, Belda-Palazón B, Peixoto B, Confraria A, Baena-González E. HOS1 promotes plant tolerance to low-energy stress via the SnRK1 protein kinase. Plant J 2023. [PMID: 37077033 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants need to integrate internal and environmental signals to mount adequate stress responses. The NUCLEAR PORE COMPLEX (NPC) component HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENES 1 (HOS1) is emerging as such an integrator, affecting responses to cold, heat, light and salinity. Stress conditions often converge in a low-energy signal that activates SUCROSE NON-FERMENTING 1-RELATED KINASE 1 (SnRK1) to promote stress tolerance and survival. Here, we explored the role of HOS1 in the SnRK1-dependent response to low-energy stress in Arabidopsis thaliana, using darkness as a treatment and a combination of genetic, biochemical, and phenotypic assays. We show that the induction of starvation genes and plant tolerance to prolonged darkness are defective in the hos1 mutant. HOS1 interacts physically with the SnRK1α1 catalytic subunit in yeast-two-hybrid and in planta, and the nuclear accumulation of SnRK1α1 is reduced in the hos1 mutant. Likewise, another NPC mutant, nup160, exhibits lower activation of starvation genes and decreased tolerance to prolonged darkness. Importantly, defects in low-energy responses in the hos1 background are rescued by fusing SnRK1α1 to a potent nuclear localization signal, or by sugar supplementation during the dark treatment. Altogether, this work demonstrates the importance of HOS1 for the nuclear accumulation of SnRK1α1, which is key for plant tolerance to low-energy conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Margalha
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Elias
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Borja Belda-Palazón
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Current address: IBMCP-CSIC-UPV, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bruno Peixoto
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Current address: Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Ana Confraria
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Elena Baena-González
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal and GREEN-IT Bioresources for Sustainability, ITQB NOVA, 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Current address: Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
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Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Autophagy was reported to be related to the pathogenesis of DN. This research investigated the function of the Nucleoporin 160 (Nup160) gene in regulating autophagy in DN. A mouse model of DN was established through an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Normal rat kidney tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were treated with high glucose to induce DN in vitro. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot, immunofluorescence assays were conducted to measure the expression of NUP160, autophagy-associated proteins, and inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo. Pathological changes of kidney and liver tissues were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson and periodic acid-silver (PAS) staining. The body weight, blood glucose, renal and lipid profiles of DN mice were examined. In this study, DN mice showed serious pathological injury. NUP160 expression was upregulated, autophagy was inhibited, and inflammatory response was increased in DN mice. Depletion of NUP160 restored autophagy and inhibited inflammation and fibrosis in high glucose (HG)-treated NRK-52E cells and STZ-induced DN mice by downregulating the expression of p62 and Collagen IV (Col-Ⅳ), increasing the ratio of LC3II/LC3I, and inactivating nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling. Moreover, NUP160 knockdown could ameliorate pathological damage and glucose tolerance in DN mice. Overall, this study is the first to demonstrate the key role of NUP160 silencing in promoting autophagy against diabetic injury in DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayong Xie
- Department of Nephrology, Xinghua People's Hospital, Taizhou Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, Xinghua People's Hospital, Taizhou Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Yao
- Department of Nephrology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Laboratory, Xinghua People's Hospital, Taizhou Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjuan Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Xinghua People's Hospital, Taizhou Jiangsu, China
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Zhao F, Zhu JY, Richman A, Fu Y, Huang W, Chen N, Pan X, Yi C, Ding X, Wang S, Wang P, Nie X, Huang J, Yang Y, Yu Z, Han Z. Mutations in NUP160 Are Implicated in Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:840-853. [PMID: 30910934 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2018080786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have identified mutations in >50 genes that can lead to monogenic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). The NUP160 gene, which encodes one of the protein components of the nuclear pore complex nucleoporin 160 kD (Nup160), is expressed in both human and mouse kidney cells. Knockdown of NUP160 impairs mouse podocytes in cell culture. Recently, siblings with SRNS and proteinuria in a nonconsanguineous family were found to carry compound-heterozygous mutations in NUP160. METHODS We identified NUP160 mutations by whole-exome and Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA from a young girl with familial SRNS and FSGS who did not carry mutations in other genes known to be associated with SRNS. We performed in vivo functional validation studies on the NUP160 mutations using a Drosophila model. RESULTS We identified two compound-heterozygous NUP160 mutations, NUP160R1173× and NUP160E803K . We showed that silencing of Drosophila NUP160 specifically in nephrocytes (fly renal cells) led to functional abnormalities, reduced cell size and nuclear volume, and disorganized nuclear membrane structure. These defects were completely rescued by expression of the wild-type human NUP160 gene in nephrocytes. By contrast, expression of the NUP160 mutant allele NUP160R1173× completely failed to rescue nephrocyte phenotypes, and mutant allele NUP160E803K rescued only nuclear pore complex and nuclear lamin localization defects. CONCLUSIONS Mutations in NUP160 are implicated in SRNS. Our findings indicate that NUP160 should be included in the SRNS diagnostic gene panel to identify additional patients with SRNS and homozygous or compound-heterozygous NUP160 mutations and further strengthen the evidence that NUP160 mutations can cause SRNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC.,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Yi Zhu
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Adam Richman
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Yulong Fu
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Wen Huang
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Nan Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; and
| | - Xiaoxia Pan
- Department of Nephrology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; and
| | - Cuili Yi
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Nie
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghui Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zihua Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Fujian, People's Republic of China; .,Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Han
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; .,Department of Genomics and Precision Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
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Wang P, Zhao F, Nie X, Liu J, Yu Z. Knockdown of NUP160 inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, autophagy and cell migration, and alters the expression and localization of podocyte associated molecules in mouse podocytes. Gene 2018; 664:12-21. [PMID: 29704630 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations in dozens of monogenic genes can lead to serious podocyte dysfunction, which is a major cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). The NUP160 gene is expressed in both human kidney and mouse kidney. However, whether knockdown of NUP160 impairs podocytes has not yet been established. Therefore, we knocked down NUP160 by targeted short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes and observed the effect of NUP160 knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and cell migration of podocytes. We also investigated the effect of NUP160 knockdown on the expression and localization of podocyte associated molecules, such as nephrin, podocin, CD2AP and α-actinin-4. The knockdown of NUP160 significantly inhibited the proliferation of podocytes by decreasing the expression of both cyclin D1 and CDK4, increasing the expression of p27, and inducing S phase arrest. The knockdown of NUP160 promoted the apoptosis and autophagy of podocytes, and enhanced cell migration. The knockdown of NUP160 decreased the expression of nephrin, podocin and CD2AP in podocytes, and increased the expression of α-actinin-4. The knockdown of NUP160 also altered the subcellular localization of nephrin, podocin and CD2AP in podocytes. These results suggest that the knockdown of NUP160 impairs mouse podocytes, i.e. inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, autophagy and cell migration of mouse podocytes, and altering the expression and localization of podocyte associated molecules, including nephrin, podocin, CD2AP and α-actinin-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China; The Military Hospital of 92435 Unit of the People's Liberation Army, Ningde 352103, Fujian, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaojing Nie
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China
| | - Jiewei Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China
| | - Zihua Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Dongfang Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China; Department of Pediatrics, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China; Department of Pediatrics, Fuzhou Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, Fujian, China.
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Delay C, Grenier-Boley B, Amouyel P, Dumont J, Lambert JC. miRNA-dependent target regulation: functional characterization of single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified in genome-wide association studies of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2016; 8:20. [PMID: 27215977 PMCID: PMC4878064 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-016-0186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background A growing body of evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and that some disease-associated genetic variants are located within miRNA binding sites. In the present study, we sought to characterize functional polymorphisms in miRNA target sites within the loci defined in earlier genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The main objectives of this study were to (1) facilitate the identification of the gene or genes responsible for the GWAS signal within a locus of interest and (2) determine how functional polymorphisms might be involved in the AD process (e.g., by affecting miRNA-mediated variations in gene expression). Methods Stringent in silico analyses were developed to select potential polymorphisms susceptible to impairment of miRNA-mediated repression, and subsequent functional assays were performed in HeLa and HEK293 cells. Results Two polymorphisms were identified and further analyzed in vitro. The AD-associated rs7143400-T allele (located in 3′ untranslated region [3′-UTR] of FERMT2) cotransfected with miR-4504 resulted in lower protein levels relative to the rs7143400-G allele cotransfected with the same miRNA. The AD-associated rs9909-C allele in the 3′-UTR of NUP160 abolished the miR-1185-1-3p-regulated expression observed for the rs9909-G allele. Conclusions When considered in conjunction with the findings of previous association studies, our results suggest that decreased expression of FERMT2 might be a risk factor in the etiopathology of AD, whereas increased expression of NUP160 might protect against the disease. Our data therefore provide new insights into AD by highlighting two new proteins putatively involved in the disease process. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13195-016-0186-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Delay
- NSERM U1167, Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement (RID-AGE) Research Group, Lille, France.,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.,University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Benjamin Grenier-Boley
- NSERM U1167, Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement (RID-AGE) Research Group, Lille, France.,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.,University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Amouyel
- NSERM U1167, Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement (RID-AGE) Research Group, Lille, France.,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.,University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Julie Dumont
- NSERM U1167, Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement (RID-AGE) Research Group, Lille, France.,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.,University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Charles Lambert
- NSERM U1167, Facteurs de risque et déterminants moléculaires des maladies liées au vieillissement (RID-AGE) Research Group, Lille, France. .,Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France. .,University of Lille, Lille, France.
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