In vivo interaction of the adapter protein CD2-associated protein with the type 2 polycystic kidney disease protein, polycystin-2

TRPP2 ion channels: The roles in various subcellular locations

TRPP2 (PC2, PKD2 or Polycytin-2), encoded by PKD2 gene, belongs to the nonselective cation channel TRP family. Recently, the three-dimensional structure of TRPP2 was constructed. TRPP2 mainly functions in three subcellular compartments: endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and primary cilia. TRPP2 can act as a calcium-activated intracellular calcium release channel on the endoplasmic reticulum. TRPP2 also interacts with other Ca²⁺ release channels to regulate calcium release, like IP3R and RyR2. TRPP2 acts as an ion channel regulated by epidermal growth factor through activation of downstream factors in the plasma membrane. TRPP2 binding to TRPC1 in the plasma membrane or endoplasmic reticulum is associated with mechanosensitivity. In cilium, TRPP2 was found to combine with PKD1 and TRPV4 to form a complex related to mechanosensitivity. Because TRPP2 is involved in regulating intracellular ion concentration, TRPP2 mutations often lead to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which may also be associated with cardiovascular disease. In this paper, we review the molecular structure of TRPP2, the subcellular localization of TRPP2, the related functions and mechanisms of TRPP2 at different sites, and the diseases related to TRPP2.

Renal cell markers: lighthouses for managing renal diseases

Kidneys, one of the vital organs in our body, are responsible for maintaining whole body homeostasis. The complexity of renal function (e.g., filtration, reabsorption, fluid and electrolyte regulation, and urine production) demands diversity not only at the level of cell types but also in their overall distribution and structural framework within the kidney. To gain an in depth molecular-level understanding of the renal system, it is imperative to discern the components of kidney and the types of cells residing in each of the subregions. Recent developments in labeling, tracing, and imaging techniques have enabled us to mark, monitor, and identify these cells in vivo with high efficiency in a minimally invasive manner. In this review, we summarize different cell types, specific markers that are uniquely associated with those cell types, and their distribution in the kidney, which altogether make kidneys so special and different. Cellular sorting based on the presence of certain proteins on the cell surface allowed for the assignment of multiple markers for each cell type. However, different studies using different techniques have found contradictions in cell type-specific markers. Thus, the term "cell marker" might be imprecise and suboptimal, leading to uncertainty when interpreting the data. Therefore, we strongly believe that there is an unmet need to define the best cell markers for a cell type. Although the compendium of renal-selective marker proteins presented in this review is a resource that may be useful to researchers, we acknowledge that the list may not be necessarily exhaustive.

Extracellular matrix, integrins, and focal adhesion signaling in polycystic kidney disease

In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the inexorable growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts leads to massively enlarged kidneys, renal interstitial damage, inflammation, and fibrosis, and progressive decline in kidney function. It has long been recognized that interstitial fibrosis is the most important manifestation associated with end-stage renal disease; however, the role of abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) production on ADPKD pathogenesis is not fully understood. Early evidence showed that cysts in end-stage human ADPKD kidneys had thickened and extensively laminated cellular basement membranes, and abnormal regulation of gene expression of several basement membrane components, including collagens, laminins, and proteoglycans by cyst epithelial cells. These basement membrane changes were also observed in dilated tubules and small cysts of early ADPKD kidneys, indicating that ECM alterations were early features of cyst development. Renal cystic cells were also found to overexpress several integrins and their ligands, including ECM structural components and soluble matricellular proteins. ECM ligands binding to integrins stimulate focal adhesion formation and can promote cell attachment and migration. Abnormal expression of laminin-332 (laminin-5) and its receptor α₆β₄ stimulated cyst epithelial cell proliferation; and mice that lacked laminin α₅, a component of laminin-511 normally expressed by renal tubules, had an overexpression of laminin-332 that was associated with renal cyst formation. Periostin, a matricellular protein that binds α_Vβ₃- and α_Vβ₅-integrins, was found to be highly overexpressed in the kidneys of ADPKD and autosomal recessive PKD patients, and several rodent models of PKD. α_Vβ₃-integrin is also overexpressed by cystic epithelial cells, and the binding of periostin to α_Vβ₃-integrin activates the integrin-linked kinase and downstream signal transduction pathways involved in tissue repair promoting cyst growth, ECM synthesis, and tissue fibrosis. This chapter reviews the roles of the ECM, integrins, and focal adhesion signaling in cyst growth and fibrosis in PKD.

JNK is antagonized to ensure the correct number of interommatidial cells pattern the Drosophila retina

Apoptosis is crucial during the morphogenesis of most organs and tissues, and is utilized for tissues to achieve their proper size, shape and patterning. Many signaling pathways contribute to the precise regulation of apoptosis. Here we show that Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activity contributes to the coordinated removal of interommatidial cells via apoptosis in the Drosophila pupal retina. This is consistent with previous findings that JNK activity promotes apoptosis in other epithelia. However, we found that JNK activity is repressed by Cindr (the CIN85 and CD2AP ortholog) in order to promote cell survival. Reducing the amount of Cindr resulted in ectopic cell death. Increased expression of the Drosophila JNK basket in the setting of reduced cindr expression was found to result in even more severe apoptosis, whilst ectopic death was found to be reduced if retinas were heterozygous for basket. Hence Cindr is required to properly restrict JNK-mediated apoptosis in the pupal eye, resulting in the correct number of interommatidial cells. A lack of precise control over developmental apoptosis can lead to improper tissue morphogenesis.

A screen for E3 ubiquitination ligases that genetically interact with the adaptor protein Cindr during Drosophila eye patterning

Ubiquitination is a crucial post-translational modification that can target proteins for degradation. The E3 ubiquitin ligases are responsible for recognizing substrate proteins for ubiquitination, hence providing specificity to the process of protein degradation. Here, we describe a genetic modifier screen that identified E3 ligases that modified the rough-eye phenotype generated by expression of cindr^RNAi transgenes during Drosophila eye development. In total, we identified 36 E3 ligases, as well as 4 Cullins, that modified the mild cindr^RNA mis-patterning phenotype. This indicates possible roles for these E3s/Cullins in processes that require Cindr function, including cytoskeletal regulation, cell adhesion, cell signaling and cell survival. Three E3 ligases identified in our screen had previously been linked to regulating JNK signaling.

Inhibition of SHIP2 in CD2AP-deficient podocytes ameliorates reactive oxygen species generation but aggravates apoptosis

Lack of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in mice increases podocyte apoptosis and leads to glomerulosclerosis and renal failure. We showed previously that SHIP2, a negative regulator of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, interacts with CD2AP. Here, we found that the expression level and activity of SHIP2 and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increased in cultured CD2AP knockout (CD2AP−/−) mouse podocytes. Oxidative stress was also increased in CD2AP−/− mouse glomeruli in vivo. We found that puromycin aminonucleoside (PA), known to increase ROS production and apoptosis, increases SHIP2 activity and reduces CD2AP expression in cultured human podocytes. PDK1 and CDK2, central regulators of AKT, were downregulated in CD2AP−/− or PA-treated podocytes. Downregulation of PDK1 and CDK2, ROS generation and apoptosis were prevented by CD2AP overexpression in both models. Notably, inhibition of SHIP2 activity with a small molecule inhibitor AS1949490 ameliorated ROS production in CD2AP−/− podocytes, but, surprisingly, further reduced PDK1 expression and aggravated apoptosis. AKT- and ERK-mediated signalling was diminished and remained reduced after AS1949490 treatment in the absence of CD2AP. The data suggest that inhibition of the catalytic activity of SHIP2 is beneficial in reducing oxidative stress, but leads to deleterious increase in apoptosis in podocytes with reduced expression of CD2AP.

Kidney morphology and candidate gene expression shows plasticity in sticklebacks adapted to divergent osmotic environments

Novel physiological challenges in different environments can promote the evolution of divergent phenotypes, either through plastic or genetic changes. Environmental salinity serves as a key barrier to the distribution of nearly all aquatic organisms, and species diversification is likely to be enabled by adaptation to alternative osmotic environments. The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a euryhaline species with populations found both in marine and freshwater environments. It has evolved both highly plastic and locally adapted phenotypes due to salinity-derived selection, but the physiological and genetic basis of adaptation to salinity is not fully understood. We integrated comparative cellular morphology of the kidney, a key organ for osmoregulation, and candidate gene expression to explore the underpinnings of evolved variation in osmotic plasticity within two populations of sticklebacks from distinct salinity zones in the Baltic Sea: the high salinity Kattegat, representative of the ancestral marine habitat, and the low salinity Bay of Bothnia. A common-garden experiment revealed that kidney morphology in the ancestral high salinity population had a highly plastic response to salinity conditions, whereas this plastic response was reduced in the low salinity population. Candidate gene expression in kidney tissue revealed a similar pattern of population-specific differences, with a higher degree of plasticity in the native high salinity population. Together these results suggest that renal cellular morphology has become canalized to low salinity, and that these structural differences may have functional implications for osmoregulation.

Tankyrase inhibition aggravates kidney injury in the absence of CD2AP

Inappropriate activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been indicated in podocyte dysfunction and injury, and shown to contribute to the development and progression of nephropathy. Tankyrases, multifunctional poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) superfamily members with features of both signaling and cytoskeletal proteins, antagonize Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We found that tankyrases interact with CD2-associated protein (CD2AP), a protein essential for kidney ultrafiltration as CD2AP-knockout (CD2AP−/−) mice die of kidney failure at the age of 6–7 weeks. We further observed that tankyrase-mediated total poly-(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), a post-translational modification implicated in kidney injury, was increased in mouse kidneys and cultured podocytes in the absence of CD2AP. The data revealed increased activity of β-catenin, and upregulation of lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) (mediator of Wnt/β-catenin pathway) and fibronectin (downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin) in CD2AP−/− podocytes. Total PARylation and active β-catenin were reduced in CD2AP−/− podocytes by tankyrase inhibitor XAV939 treatment. However, instead of ameliorating podocyte injury, XAV939 further upregulated LEF1, failed to downregulate fibronectin and induced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) that associates with podocyte injury. In zebrafish, administration of XAV939 to CD2AP-depleted larvae aggravated kidney injury and increased mortality. Collectively, the data reveal sustained activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CD2AP−/− podocytes, contributing to podocyte injury. However, we observed that inhibition of the PARylation activity of tankyrases in the absence of CD2AP was deleterious to kidney function. This indicates that balance of the PARylation activity of tankyrases, maintained by CD2AP, is essential for normal kidney function. Furthermore, the data reveal that careful contemplation is required when targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway to treat proteinuric kidney diseases associated with impaired CD2AP.

Lack of CD2AP disrupts Glut4 trafficking and attenuates glucose uptake in podocytes

The adapter protein CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) functions in various signaling and vesicle trafficking pathways, including endosomal sorting and/or trafficking and degradation pathways. Here, we investigated the role of CD2AP in insulin-dependent glucose transporter 4 (Glut4, also known as SLC2A4) trafficking and glucose uptake. Glucose uptake was attenuated in CD2AP(-/-) podocytes compared with wild-type podocytes in the basal state, and CD2AP(-/-) podocytes failed to increase glucose uptake in response to insulin. Live-cell imaging revealed dynamic trafficking of HA-Glut4-GFP in wild-type podocytes, whereas in CD2AP(-/-) podocytes, HA-Glut4-GFP clustered perinuclearly. In subcellular membrane fractionations, CD2AP co-fractionated with Glut4, IRAP (also known as LNPEP) and sortilin, constituents of Glut4 storage vesicles (GSVs). We further found that CD2AP forms a complex with GGA2, a clathrin adaptor, which sorts Glut4 to GSVs, suggesting a role for CD2AP in this process. We also found that CD2AP forms a complex with clathrin and connects clathrin to actin in the perinuclear region. Furthermore, clathrin recycling back to trans-Golgi membranes from the vesicular fraction containing GSVs was defective in the absence of CD2AP. This leads to reduced insulin-stimulated trafficking of GSVs and attenuated glucose uptake into CD2AP(-/-) podocytes.

Capping protein regulators fine-tune actin assembly dynamics

Capping protein (CP) binds the fast growing barbed end of the actin filament and regulates actin assembly by blocking the addition and loss of actin subunits. Recent studies provide new insights into how CP and barbed-end capping are regulated. Filament elongation factors, such as formins and ENA/VASP (enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), indirectly regulate CP by competing with CP for binding to the barbed end, whereas other molecules, including V-1 and phospholipids, directly bind to CP and sterically block its interaction with the filament. In addition, a diverse and unrelated group of proteins interact with CP through a conserved 'capping protein interaction' (CPI) motif. These proteins, including CARMIL (capping protein, ARP2/3 and myosin I linker), CD2AP (CD2-associated protein) and the WASH (WASP and SCAR homologue) complex subunit FAM21, recruit CP to specific subcellular locations and modulate its actin-capping activity via allosteric effects.

Polycystins and partners: proposed role in mechanosensitivity

Mutations of the two polycystins, PC1 and PC2, lead to polycystic kidney disease. Polycystins are able to form complexes with numerous families of proteins that have been suggested to participate in mechanical sensing. The proposed role of polycystins and their partners in the kidney primary cilium is to sense urine flow. A role for polycystins in mechanosensing has also been shown in other cell types such as vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac myocytes. At the plasma membrane, polycystins interact with diverse ion channels of the TRP family and with stretch-activated channels (Piezos, TREKs). The actin cytoskeleton and its interacting proteins, such as filamin A, have been shown to be essential for these interactions. Numerous proteins involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix junctions interact with PC1 and/or PC2. These multimeric protein complexes are important for cell structure integrity, the transmission of force, as well as for mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. A group of polycystin partners are also involved in subcellular trafficking mechanisms. Finally, PC1 and especially PC2 interact with elements of the endoplasmic reticulum and are essential components of calcium homeostasis. In conclusion, we propose that both PC1 and PC2 act as conductors to tune the overall cellular mechanosensitivity.

FSGS3/CD2AP is a barbed-end capping protein that stabilizes actin and strengthens adherens junctions

By combining in vitro reconstitution biochemistry with a cross-linking approach, we have identified focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 3/CD2-associated protein (FSGS3/CD2AP) as a novel actin barbed-end capping protein responsible for actin stability at the adherens junction. FSGS3/CD2AP colocalizes with E-cadherin and α-actinin-4 at the apical junction in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised actin stability and decreased actin accumulation at the adherens junction. Using a novel apparatus to apply mechanical stress to cell-cell junctions, we showed that knockdown of FSGS3/CD2AP compromised adhesive strength, resulting in tearing between cells and disruption of barrier function. Our results reveal a novel function of FSGS3/CD2AP and a previously unrecognized role of barbed-end capping in junctional actin dynamics. Our study underscores the complexity of actin regulation at cell-cell contacts that involves actin activators, inhibitors, and stabilizers to control adhesive strength, epithelial behavior, and permeability barrier integrity.

The TRPP subfamily and polycystin-1 proteins

It has been exciting times since the identification of polycystic kidney disease 1 (PKD1) and PKD2 as the genes mutated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Biological roles of the encoded proteins polycystin-1 and TRPP2 have been deduced from phenotypes in ADPKD patients, but recent insights from vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms have significantly expanded our understanding of the physiological functions of these proteins. The identification of additional TRPP (TRPP3 and TRPP5) and polycystin-1-like proteins (PKD1L1, PKD1L2, PKD1L3, and PKDREJ) has added yet another layer of complexity to these fascinating cellular signalling units. TRPP proteins assemble with polycystin-1 family members to form receptor-channel complexes. These protein modules have important biological roles ranging from tubular morphogenesis to determination of left-right asymmetry. The founding members of the polycystin family, TRPP2 and polycystin-1, are a prime example of how studying human disease genes can provide insights into fundamental biological mechanisms using a so-called "reverse translational" approach (from bedside to bench). Here, we discuss the current literature on TRPP ion channels and polycystin-1 family proteins including expression, structure, physical interactions, physiology, and lessons from animal model systems and human disease.

CD2AP is associated with end-stage renal disease in patients with type 1 diabetes

CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) is essential for podocyte function. CD2AP mutations have been found in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease histologically resembling diabetic nephropathy and often progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We hypothesised that variations in the CD2AP gene may contribute to susceptibility to glomerular injury in diabetes and investigated if single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CD2AP are associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes. The discovery cohort consisted of 2,251 Finnish patients with type 1 diabetes. SNPs were selected from the HapMap database to cover the CD2AP gene. The associations between genotyped SNPs and diabetic nephropathy or ESRD were analysed with the chi-squared test and logistic regression. Three SNPs were selected for replication in cohorts from Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom and Ireland. None of the 15 successfully genotyped SNPs were associated with diabetic nephropathy when compared to patients with normal albumin excretion rate. However, when genotype frequencies in patients with ESRD were compared with all other patients, two CD2AP SNPs, rs9369717 and rs9349417, were found to be associated with ESRD. The meta-analysis of the original and two additional European cohorts resulted in significant p values <0.01 for these SNPs. A third SNP, rs6936632, was suggestively associated with ESRD in the Finnish patients and in the meta-analysis of four cohorts. CD2AP gene variants may contribute to susceptibility to ESRD in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Septin 7 forms a complex with CD2AP and nephrin and regulates glucose transporter trafficking

Podocytes are insulin-sensitive and take up glucose in response to insulin. This requires nephrin, which interacts with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) on GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs) and facilitates their fusion with the plasma membrane. In this paper, we show that the filament-forming GTPase septin 7 is expressed in podocytes and associates with CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) and nephrin, both essential for glomerular ultrafiltration. In addition, septin 7 coimmunoprecipitates with VAMP2. Subcellular fractionation of cultured podocytes revealed that septin 7 is found in both cytoplasmic and membrane fractions, and immunofluorescence microscopy showed that septin 7 is expressed in a filamentous pattern and is also found on vesicles and the plasma membrane. The filamentous localization of septin 7 depends on CD2AP and intact actin organization. A 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake assay indicates that depletion of septin 7 by small interfering RNA or alteration of septin assembly by forchlorfenuron facilitates glucose uptake into cells and further, knockdown of septin 7 increased the interaction of VAMP2 with nephrin and syntaxin 4. The data indicate that septin 7 hinders GSV trafficking and further, the interaction of septin 7 with nephrin in glomeruli suggests that septin 7 may participate in the regulation of glucose transport in podocytes.

Structural interaction and functional regulation of polycystin-2 by filamin

Filamins are important actin cross-linking proteins implicated in scaffolding, membrane stabilization and signal transduction, through interaction with ion channels, receptors and signaling proteins. Here we report the physical and functional interaction between filamins and polycystin-2, a TRP-type cation channel mutated in 10–15% patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down experiments demonstrated that the C-termini of filamin isoforms A, B and C directly bind to both the intracellular N- and C-termini of polycystin-2. Reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that endogenous polycystin-2 and filamins are in the same complexes in renal epithelial cells and human melanoma A7 cells. We then examined the effect of filamin on polycystin-2 channel function by electrophysiology studies with a lipid bilayer reconstitution system and found that filamin-A substantially inhibits polycystin-2 channel activity. Our study indicates that filamins are important regulators of polycystin-2 channel function, and further links actin cytoskeletal dynamics to the regulation of this channel protein.

TRPP channels and polycystins

The founding member of the TRPP family, TRPP2, was identified as one of the disease genes causing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is the most prevalent, potentially lethal, monogenic disorder in humans, with an average incidence of one in 400 to one in 1,000 individuals worldwide. Here we give an overview of TRPP ion channels and Polycystin-1 receptor proteins focusing on more recent studies. We include the Polycystin-1 family since these proteins are functionally linked to TRPP channels.

Lipid phosphatase SHIP2 downregulates insulin signalling in podocytes

Podocyte injury plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Podocytes are insulin-responsive and can develop insulin resistance, but the mechanisms are unknown. To study the role of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in podocyte injury, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening on a glomerular library, and found that CD2AP bound to SH2-domain-containing inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2), a negative regulator of insulin signalling. SHIP2 interacts with CD2AP in glomeruli and is expressed in podocytes, where it translocates to plasma membrane after insulin stimulation. Overexpression of SHIP2 in cultured podocytes reduces Akt activation in response to insulin, and promotes apoptosis. SHIP2 is upregulated in glomeruli of insulin resistant obese Zucker rats. These results indicate that SHIP2 downregulates insulin signalling in podocytes. The upregulation of SHIP2 in Zucker rat glomeruli prior to the age of onset of proteinuria suggests a possible role for SHIP2 in the development of podocyte injury.

beta-Catenin mediates adriamycin-induced albuminuria and podocyte injury in adult mouse kidneys

BACKGROUND

Glomerular slit diaphragm (SD) represents a modified adherens junction composed of molecules belonging to both immunoglobulin and cadherin superfamilies. Cadherins associate with the cytosolic scaffolding protein beta-catenin, but the precise role of beta-catenin in mature or injured podocytes is not known.

METHODS

The conditional podocyte-specific beta-catenin-deficient mouse line was generated using the doxycycline-inducible Cre-loxP system. Expression of the beta-catenin-deficient gene was turned off at the age of 8 weeks by doxycycline treatment and the kidney phenotype was analysed. In addition, beta-catenin-deficient and control mice were treated with adriamycin (ADR) and analysed for albuminuria and morphological alterations.

RESULTS

Deletion of beta-catenin in mature podocytes did not change the morphology of podocytes nor did it lead to albuminuria. However, lack of beta-catenin attenuated albuminuria after ADR treatment. Electron microscopic examination showed increased podocyte foot process effacement associated with SD abnormalities in ADR-treated control mice compared to beta-catenin-deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that beta-catenin in podocytes is dispensable for adult mice, but appears to be important in modulating the SD during ADR-induced perturbation of the filtration barrier.

Inducible nephrin transgene expression in podocytes rescues nephrin-deficient mice from perinatal death

Mutations leading to nephrin loss result in massive proteinuria both in humans and mice. Early perinatal lethality of conventional nephrin knockout mice makes it impossible to determine the role of nephrin protein in the adult kidney and in extra-renal tissues. Herein, we studied whether podocyte-specific, doxycycline-inducible, rat nephrin expression can rescue nephrin-deficient mice from perinatal lethality. Fourteen littermates out of 72 lacked endogenous nephrin and expressed transgenic rat nephrin. Six of these rescued mice survived until 6 weeks of age, whereas the nephrin-deficient pups died before the age of 5 days. The rescued mice were smaller, developed proteinuria, and showed histological abnormalities in the kidney. Despite foot process effacement, slit diaphragms were observed. Importantly, the expression and localization of several proteins associated with the signaling capacity of nephrin or the regulation of the expression of nephrin were changed in the podocytes. Indeed, all rescued mice showed impaired locomotor activity and distinct histological abnormalities in the cerebellum, and the male mice were also infertile and showed genital malformations. These observations are consistent with normal nephrin expression in the testis and cerebellum. These observations indicate that podocyte-specific expression of rat nephrin can rescue nephrin-deficient mice from perinatal death, but is not sufficient for full complementation.

A pathogenic C terminus-truncated polycystin-2 mutant enhances receptor-activated Ca2+ entry via association with TRPC3 and TRPC7

Mutations in PKD2 gene result in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). PKD2 encodes polycystin-2 (TRPP2), which is a homologue of transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel proteins. Here we identify a novel PKD2 mutation that generates a C-terminal tail-truncated TRPP2 mutant 697fsX with a frameshift resulting in an aberrant 17-amino acid addition after glutamic acid residue 697 from a family showing mild ADPKD symptoms. When recombinantly expressed in HEK293 cells, wild-type (WT) TRPP2 localized at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane significantly enhanced Ca(2+) release from the ER upon muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) stimulation. In contrast, 697fsX, which showed a predominant plasma membrane localization characteristic of TRPP2 mutants with C terminus deletion, prominently increased mAChR-activated Ca(2+) influx in cells expressing TRPC3 or TRPC7. Coimmunoprecipitation, pulldown assay, and cross-linking experiments revealed a physical association between 697fsX and TRPC3 or TRPC7. 697fsX but not WT TRPP2 elicited a depolarizing shift of reversal potentials and an enhancement of single-channel conductance indicative of altered ion-permeating pore properties of mAChR-activated currents. Importantly, in kidney epithelial LLC-PK1 cells the recombinant 679fsX construct was codistributed with native TRPC3 proteins at the apical membrane area, but the WT construct was distributed in the basolateral membrane and adjacent intracellular areas. Our results suggest that heteromeric cation channels comprised of the TRPP2 mutant and the TRPC3 or TRPC7 protein induce enhanced receptor-activated Ca(2+) influx that may lead to dysregulated cell growth in ADPKD.

Slit diaphragms contain tight junction proteins

Slit diaphragms are essential components of the glomerular filtration apparatus, as changes in these junctions are the hallmark of proteinuric diseases. Slit diaphragms, considered specialized adherens junctions, contain both unique membrane proteins (e.g., nephrin, podocin, and Neph1) and typical adherens junction proteins (e.g., P-cadherin, FAT, and catenins). Whether slit diaphragms also contain tight junction proteins is unknown. Here, immunofluorescence, immunogold labeling, and cell fractionation demonstrated that rat slit diaphragms contain the tight junction proteins JAM-A (junctional adhesion molecule A), occludin, and cingulin. We found these proteins in the same protein complexes as nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, ZO-1, and Neph1 by cosedimentation, coimmunoprecipitation, and pull-down assays. PAN nephrosis increased the protein levels of JAM-A, occludin, cingulin, and ZO-1 several-fold in glomeruli and loosened their attachment to the actin cytoskeleton. These data extend current information about the molecular composition of slit diaphragms by demonstrating the presence of tight junction proteins, although slit diaphragms lack the characteristic morphologic features of tight junctions. The contribution of these proteins to the assembly of slit diaphragms and potential signaling cascades requires further investigation.

Characterization of PKD protein-positive exosome-like vesicles

Proteins associated with autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (polycystin-1, polycystin-2, and fibrocystin) localize to various subcellular compartments, but their functional site is thought to be on primary cilia. PC1+ vesicles surround cilia in Pkhd1(del2/del2) mice, which led us to analyze these structures in detail. We subfractionated urinary exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) and isolated a subpopulation abundant in polycystin-1, fibrocystin (in their cleaved forms), and polycystin-2. This removed Tamm-Horsfall protein, the major contaminant, and subfractionated ELVs into at least three different populations, demarcated by the presence of aquaporin-2, polycystin-1, and podocin. Proteomic analysis of PKD ELVs identified 552 proteins (232 not yet in urinary proteomic databases), many of which have been implicated in signaling, including the molecule Smoothened. We also detected two other protein products of genes involved in cystic disease: Cystin, the product of the mouse cpk locus, and ADP-ribosylation factor-like 6, the product of the human Bardet-Biedl syndrome gene (BBS3). Our proteomic analysis confirmed that cleavage of polycystin-1 and fibrocystin occurs in vivo, in manners consistent with cleavage at the GPS site in polycystin-1 and the proprotein convertase site in fibrocystin. In vitro, these PKD ELVs preferentially interacted with primary cilia of kidney and biliary epithelial cells in a rapid and highly specific manner. These data suggest that PKD proteins are shed in membrane particles in the urine, and these particles interact with primary cilia.

Cyst formation in kidney via B-Raf signaling in the PKD2 transgenic mice

The pathogenic mechanisms of human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have been well known to include the mutational inactivation of PKD2. Although haploinsufficiency and loss of heterozygosity at the Pkd2 locus can cause cyst formation in mice, polycystin-2 is frequently expressed in the renal cyst of human ADPKD, raising the possibility that deregulated activation of PKD2 may be associated with the cystogenesis of human ADPKD. To determine whether increased PKD2 expression is physiologically pathogenic, we generated PKD2-overexpressing transgenic mice. These mice developed typical renal cysts and an increase of proliferation and apoptosis, which are reflective of the human ADPKD phenotype. These manifestations were first observed at six months, and progressed with age. In addition, we found that ERK activation was induced by PKD2 overexpression via B-Raf signaling, providing a possible molecular mechanism of cystogenesis. In PKD2 transgenic mice, B-Raf/MEK/ERK sequential signaling was up-regulated. Additionally, the transgenic human polycystin-2 partially rescues the lethality of Pkd2 knock-out mice and therefore demonstrates that the transgene generated a functional product. Functional strengthening or deregulated activation of PKD2 may be a direct cause of ADPKD. The present study provides evidence for an in vivo role of overexpressed PKD2 in cyst formation. This transgenic mouse model should provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanism of human ADPKD.

The Drosophila CD2AP/CIN85 orthologue Cindr regulates junctions and cytoskeleton dynamics during tissue patterning

Developing tissues require cells to undergo intricate processes to shift into appropriate niches. This requires a functional connection between adhesion-mediating events at the cell surface and a cytoskeletal reorganization to permit directed movement. A small number of proteins are proposed to link these processes. Here, we identify one candidate, Cindr, the sole Drosophila melanogaster member of the CD2AP/CIN85 family (this family has been previously implicated in a variety of processes). Using D. melanogaster retina, we demonstrate that Cindr links cell surface junctions (E-cadherin) and adhesion (Roughest) with multiple components of the actin cytoskeleton. Reducing cindr activity leads to defects in local cell movement and, consequently, tissue patterning and cell death. Cindr activity is required for normal localization of Drosophila E-cadherin and Roughest, and we show additional physical and functional links to multiple components of the actin cytoskeleton, including the actin-capping proteins capping protein alpha and capping protein beta. Together, these data demonstrate that Cindr is involved in dynamic cell rearrangement in an emerging epithelium.

CD2-associated protein is widely expressed and differentially regulated during embryonic development

CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) is an adapter protein that is involved in various signaling and vesicular trafficking processes and also functions as a linker between plasma membrane proteins and the actin cytoskeleton. The protein is known to have important functions in T cells and glomerular podocytes, but it is also expressed by many other adult-type tissues and cells. Here we analyzed the expression of the protein during early embryonic development and organogenesis of the mouse. The results showed differential tissue-specific regulation of CD2AP in developing and maturing organs. In oocytes and pre-implantation embryos, CD2AP was located diffusely in the cytoplasm, whereas in late blastocysts it was concentrated to the intercellular contacts. During organogenesis, CD2AP was distinctly upregulated upon, e.g., the pretubular aggregation of metanephric mesenchyme cells and the appearance of the osteoblastic rim around cartilages during endochondral ossification. High CD2AP expression was also observed during epithelial-like conversion of some highly specialized secretory cell types such as the odontoblasts, the cells of the choroid plexus and the decidualized cells of the endometrial stroma. In other instances, such as the development of the proximal tubuli of the kidney and the flat alveolar epithelium of the lung, the protein was downregulated upon differentiation and maturation of the cells. Finally, certain cells, e.g., glomerular podocytes, those forming the collecting ducts of the kidney, and the urothelium of the kidney pelvis, expressed CD2AP throughout their differentiation and maturation. Multiple molecules and complex pathways regulate embryogenesis, and scaffolding proteins apparently have pivotal roles in targeting and finetuning, e.g., growth factor- or hormone-induced processes. The cell-type specific spatio-temporal regulation of CD2AP during development suggests that this adapter protein is a key regulatory partner in many signaling pathways and cellular processes governing differentiation and morphogenesis.

Identification of CMS as a cytosolic adaptor of the human pTalpha chain involved in pre-TCR function

The T-cell receptor beta (TCRbeta)/pre-TCRalpha (pTalpha) pre-TCR complex (pre-TCR) signals the expansion and differentiation of de-veloping thymocytes. Functional pro-perties of the pre-TCR rely on its unique pTalpha chain, which suggests the participation of specific intracellular adaptors. However, pTalpha-interacting molecules remain unknown. Here, we identified a polyproline-arginine sequence in the human pTalpha cytoplasmic tail that interacted in vitro with SH3 domains of the CIN85/CMS family of adaptors, and mediated the recruitment of multiprotein complexes involving all (CMS, CIN85, and CD2BP3) members. Supporting the physiologic relevance of this interaction, we found that 1 such adaptor, CMS, interacted in vivo with human pTalpha, and its expression was selectively up-regulated during human thymopoiesis in pre-TCR-activated thymocytes. Upon activation, pre-TCR clustering was induced, and CMS and polymerized actin were simultaneously recruited to the pre-TCR activation site. CMS also associated via its C-terminal region to the actin cytoskeleton in the endocytic compartment, where it colocalized with internalized pTalpha in traffic to lysosomal degradation. Notably, deletion of the pTalpha CIN85/CMS-binding motif impaired pre-TCR-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization and NFAT transcriptional activity, and precluded activation induced by overexpression of a CMS-SH3 N-terminal mutant. These results provide the first molecular evidence for a pTalpha intracellular adaptor involved in pre-TCR function.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a patient homozygous for a CD2AP mutation

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histologic diagnosis in several kidney diseases characterized by proteinuria and a severe decrease in kidney function. Mutations in several genes were found in patients with primary FSGS, one of which is a CD2-associated protein CD2AP (originally referred to as CMS). This gene encodes an adaptor protein that plays a role in endocytosis, cell motility, and cell survival. Mice deficient in Cd2ap (the mouse homolog) die due to kidney failure, while heterozygous mice develop lesions similar to those of FSGS patients. In the kidney, CD2AP regulates the actin cytoskeleton. The only previously described patient with CD2AP mutation had a severely truncated protein. In this study, we describe a patient with a novel mutation resulting in a premature stop codon yielding a protein truncated by only 4%. This shortened CD2AP protein displays a significantly decreased F-actin binding efficiency in vitro with no expression of the mutated allele in the patient's lymphocytes. Heterozygous expression of the CD2AP mutation in both parents did not lead to any kidney pathology, as both have normal glomerular filtration rates and no proteinuria.

Structure and function analysis of the CMS/CIN85 protein family identifies actin-bundling properties and heterotypic-complex formation

Members of the CMS/CIN85 protein family participate in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and play a crucial role in maintaining the kidney filtration barrier. The CMS protein structure includes three Src homology 3 (SH3) domains and a proline-rich (PR) region that is connected by a `linker' sequence to a coiled-coil (CC) domain. We show that CMS is a component of special actin-rich adhesion structures – podosomes – and demonstrate specific actin-binding properties of CMS. We have found that the entire C-terminal half of CMS is necessary for efficient binding to filamentous actin (F-actin). CMS and CIN85 can crosslink F-actin into bundles, a function that depends on the PR region and the CC domain. Removal of these domains reduces migration. CMS can also form heterotypic complexes with CIN85. CIN85 is expressed as multiple isoforms that share the CC domain, suggesting that heterotypic interactions with CMS provides a mechanism to regulate CMS binding to F-actin and thus for modulating dynamic rearrangements of the cytoskeleton.

TRP channels and kidney disease: lessons from polycystic kidney disease

Important insights in to the function of members of the TRP (transient receptor potential) channel superfamily have been gained from the identification of disease-related mutations. In particular the identification of mutations in the PKD2 gene in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has revealed a link between TRP channel function, mechanosensation and the role of the primary cilium in renal cyst formation. The PKD2 gene encodes TRPP2 (transient receptor potential polycystin 2) that has significant homology to voltage-activated calcium and sodium TRP channels. It interacts with polycystin-1 to form a large membrane-associated complex that is localized to the renal primary cilium. Functional characterization of this polycystin complex reveals that it can respond to mechanical stimuli such as flow, resulting in influx of extracellular calcium and release of calcium from intracellular stores. TRPP2 is expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum where it also regulates intracellular calcium signalling. Therefore TRPP2 modulates many cellular processes via intracellular calcium-dependent signalling pathways.

Polycystin-1 can interact with homer 1/Vesl-1 in postnatal hippocampal neurons

Polycystin-1 (PC-1) has been identified as critical to development of the nervous system, but the significance of PC-1 expression in neurons remains undefined, and little is known of its roles outside the kidney, where mutation results in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In kidney, PC-1 interacts with cadherins, catenins, and its cognate calcium channel polycystin-2 (PC-2), which in turn interacts with a number of actin-regulatory proteins. Because some of the proteins that interact with PC-1 in kidney also participate in synaptic remodeling and plasticity in the hippocampus, we decided to test PC-1's potential to interact with a recently discovered type of plasticity-associated protein (homer 1a/Vesl-1S) in postnatal mouse hippocampus. Homer 1a/Vesl-1S is an activity-induced protein believed to participate in synaptic remodeling/plasticity responses to temporal lobe seizure and learning. Here we report the following. 1) PC-1 contains a homer-binding motif (PPxxF), which lies within its purported cytoplasmic domain. 2) Immunoreactivity for PC-1 (PC-1-ir) is highly colocalized with homer 1a immunoreactivity (H1a-ir) in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. 3) PC-1-ir and H1a-ir are present and appear to be colocalized in mouse hippocampus but not cortex on postnatal day 2 (P2), when higher frequencies of spontaneous activity are normal for hippocampus compared with cortex. 4) An endogenous PC-1-ir band with the correct size for the reported C-terminal G-protein-sensitive domain cleavage product of PC-1 (approximately 150 kDa) coimmunoprecipitates with endogenous homer 1/Vesl-1 proteins from mouse brain, suggesting that PC-1 can interact with homer 1/Vesl-1 proteins in postnatal hippocampal neurons.

TRPP2 and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Mutations in TRPP2 (polycystin-2) cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a common genetic disorder characterized by progressive development of fluid-filled cysts in the kidney and other organs. TRPP2 is a Ca(2+)-permeable nonselective cation channel that displays an amazing functional versatility at the cellular level. It has been implicated in the regulation of diverse physiological functions including mechanosensation, cell proliferation, polarity, and apoptosis. TRPP2 localizes to different subcellular compartments, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the plasma membrane and the primary cilium. The channel appears to have distinct functions in different subcellular compartments. This functional compartmentalization is thought to contribute to the observed versatility and specificity of TRPP2-mediated Ca(2+) signaling. In the primary cilium, TRPP2 has been suggested to function as a mechanosensitive channel that detects fluid flow in the renal tubule lumen, supporting the proposed role of the primary cilium as the unifying pathogenic concept for cystic kidney disease. This review summarizes the known and emerging functions of TRPP2, focusing on the question of how channel function translates into complex morphogenetic programs regulating tubular structure.

TRPP2 channel regulation

Polycystin-2, or TRPP2 according to the TRP nomenclature, is encoded by PKD2, a gene mutated in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease. Its precise subcellular location and its intracellular trafficking are a matter of intense debate, although consensus has emerged that it is located in primary cilia, a long-neglected organelle possibly involved in sensory functions. Polycystin-2 has a calculated molecular mass of 110 kDa, and according to structural predictions it contains six membrane-spanning domains and a pore-forming region between the 5th and 6th membrane-spanning domain. This section irst introduces the reader to the field of cystic kidney diseases and to the PKD2 gene, before the ion channel properties of polycystin-2 are discussed in great detail.

Solution structure of the second SH3 domain of human CMS and a newly identified binding site at the C-terminus of c-Cbl

CMS, cas ligand with multiple Src homology 3 (SH3) domains, belongs to a family of ubiquitously expressed adaptor proteins. Among the CMS binding proteins, c-Cbl has been mostly extensively studied. It was reported that the motif PKPFPR (residues 824-829) of c-Cbl can bind to the N-terminus SH3 domains of CMS. Here we report the solution structure of the second SH3 domain of CMS (CMS_SH3_B), furthermore, we have identified that a peptide from residues 701 to 714 of c-Cbl (Cbl-p), i.e. MTPSSRPLRPLDTS, can specially bind to CMS_SH3_B using NMR chemical shift perturbation, suggesting that the peptide is a new potential CMS binding site. Among the peptide, TPSSRPLR is the core binding motif and Arg709 plays a key role in the interaction. Cbl-p binding interface on CMS_SH3_B along a hydrophobic channel is composed of RT loop, n-Src loop and beta4 strand and divided into three pockets. This work indicates the solution structure of CMS_SH3_B bears the canonical beta-beta-beta-beta-alpha-beta fold and a new binding site in c-Cbl involved in its interaction with CMS, which probably contributes to the clustering of CMS. All the information provided here should be beneficial for the future functional study of CMS.

Polycystin-2 immunolocalization and function in zebrafish

Polycystin-2 functions as a cation-permeable transient receptor potential ion channel in kidney epithelial cells and when mutated results in human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. For further exploration of the in vivo functions of Polycystin-2, this study examined its expression and function during zebrafish embryogenesis. pkd2 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed, and its presence in the larval kidney could be confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR on isolated pronephroi. Immunostaining with anti-zebrafish Polycystin-2 antibody revealed protein expression in motile kidney epithelial cell cilia and intracellular cell membranes. Intracellular localization was segment specific; in the proximal nephron segment, Polycystin-2 was localized to basolateral cell membranes, whereas in the caudal pronephric segment, Polycystin-2 was concentrated in subapical cytoplasmic vesicles. Polycystin-2 also was expressed in muscle cells and in a variety of sensory cells that are associated with mechanotransduction, including cells of the ear, the lateral line organ, and the olfactory placodes. Disruption of Polycystin-2 mRNA expression resulted in pronephric kidney cysts, body axis curvature, organ laterality defects, and hydrocephalus-defects that could be rescued by expression of a human PKD2 mRNA. In-frame deletions in the first extracellular loop and C-terminal phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein-1 (PACS-1) binding sites in the cytoplasmic tail caused Polycystin-2 mislocalization to the apical cell surface. Unlike zebrafish intraflagellar transport protein (IFT) mutants, cyst formation was not associated with cilia defects and instead correlated with reduced kidney fluid output, expansion of caudal duct apical cell membranes, and occlusion of the caudal pronephric nephron segment.

Kinesin-2 mediates physical and functional interactions between polycystin-2 and fibrocystin

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations in PKD1, encoding polycystin-1 (PC1), or PKD2 (polycystin-2, PC2). Autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) is caused by mutations in PKHD1, encoding fibrocystin/polyductin (FPC). No molecular link between ADPKD and ARPKD has been determined. Here, we demonstrated, by yeast two-hybrid and biochemical assays, that KIF3B, a motor subunit of kinesin-2, associates with PC2 and FPC. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells and human kidney revealed that PC2 and KIF3B, FPC and KIF3B and, furthermore, PC2 and FPC are endogenously in the same complex(es), though no direct association between the PC2 and FPC intracellular termini was detected. In vitro binding and Far Western blot experiments demonstrated that PC2 and FPC are in the same complex only if KIF3B is present, presumably by forming a PC2-KIF3B-FPC complex. This was supported by our observation that altering KIF3B level in IMCD cells by over-expression or siRNA significantly affected complexing between PC2 and FPC. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that PC2, FPC and KIF3B partially co-localized in primary cilia of over-confluent and perinuclear regions of sub-confluent cells. Furthermore, KIF3B mediated functional modulation of purified PC2 channels by FPC in a planer lipid bilayer electrophysiology system. The FPC C-terminus substantially stimulated PC2 channel activity in the presence of KIF3B, whereas FPC or KIF3B alone had no effect. Taken together, we discovered that kinesin-2 is a linker between PC2 and FPC and mediates the regulation of PC2 channel function by FPC. Our study may be important for elucidating common molecular pathways for PKD of different genotypes.

MafB is essential for renal development and F4/80 expression in macrophages

MafB is a member of the large Maf family of transcription factors that share similar basic region/leucine zipper DNA binding motifs and N-terminal activation domains. Although it is well known that MafB is specifically expressed in glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) and macrophages, characterization of the null mutant phenotype in these tissues has not been previously reported. To investigate suspected MafB functions in the kidney and in macrophages, we generated mafB/green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in null mutant mice. MafB homozygous mutants displayed renal dysgenesis with abnormal podocyte differentiation as well as tubular apoptosis. Interestingly, these kidney phenotypes were associated with diminished expression of several kidney disease-related genes. In hematopoietic cells, GFP fluorescence was observed in both Mac-1- and F4/80-expressing macrophages in the fetal liver. Interestingly, F4/80 expression in macrophages was suppressed in the homozygous mutant, although development of the Mac-1-positive macrophage population was unaffected. In primary cultures of fetal liver hematopoietic cells, MafB deficiency was found to dramatically suppress F4/80 expression in nonadherent macrophages, whereas the Mac-1-positive macrophage population developed normally. These results demonstrate that MafB is essential for podocyte differentiation, renal tubule survival, and F4/80 maturation in a distinct subpopulation of nonadherent mature macrophages.

A truncated polycystin-2 protein causes polycystic kidney disease and retinal degeneration in transgenic rats

The cloning of the PKD1 and PKD2 genes has led to promising new insight into the mechanisms that are responsible for cyst development in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Although the dominant pattern of inheritance would argue for haploinsufficiency, a gain of function, or a dominant negative mechanism, there is good evidence that autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease behaves like a recessive disease on a cellular level (two-hit mechanism of cystogenesis). For testing of whether other pathomechanisms in addition to the two-hit hypothesis can explain cyst formation, two transgenic rat lines that contain a truncated human polycystin-2 cDNA were generated. The protein product lacks almost the entire COOH-terminus and mimics mutations that frequently are found in patients. The transgene-encoded mRNA could be detected in multiple tissues of both transgenic lines, with the highest expression in the kidney. Both lines present with renal cysts that originate predominantly from the proximal tubule; in the tubular epithelial cells, the epitope-tagged mutant protein was detected in the brush border and in primary cilia. Further evidence of the involvement of primary cilia stems from the finding of retinal degeneration in the transgenic rats and from the fact that stably transfected LLC-PK(1) cells that inducibly produced the truncated polycystin-2 protein elaborated shorter cilia. Other experimental approaches, such as a knock-in strategy, will be necessary to validate these results, but this is the first preliminary evidence that cyst formation is due not only to somatic mutations.

More than colocalizing with polycystin-1, polycystin-L is in the centrosome

Polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 are involved in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease by unknown mechanisms. These two proteins are located in primary cilia where they mediate mechanosensation, suggesting a link between cilia function and renal disease. In this study, we sought to characterize the subcellular localization of polycystin-L, a closely related member of polycystin-2, in epithelial renal cell lines. We have shown that endogenous polycystin-l subcellular distribution is different in proliferative and nonproliferative cultures. Polycystin-L is found mostly in the endoplasmic reticulum in subconfluent cell cultures, while in confluent cells it is redistributed to sites of cell-cell contact and to the primary cilium as is polycystin-1. Subcellular fractionation confirmed a common distribution of polycystin-L and polycystin-1 in the fractions corresponding to those containing the plasma membrane of postconfluent cells. Reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that polycystin-L was associated with polycystin-1 in a common complex in both subconfluent and confluent cell cultures. Interestingly, we also identified a novel site for a polycystin member (polycystin-L) in unciliated cells, the centrosome, which allowed us to reveal an involvement of polycystin-l in cell proliferation.

Polycystin-2 traffics to cilia independently of polycystin-1 by using an N-terminal RVxP motif

Primary cilia play a key role in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The affected proteins, polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2), interact with each other and are expressed in cilia. We found that COOH-terminal truncated PC2 (PC2-L703X), lacking the PC1 interaction region, still traffics to cilia. We examined PC2 expression in several tissues and cells lacking PC1 and found that PC2 is expressed in cilia independently of PC1. We used N-terminal deletion constructs to narrow the domain necessary for cilia trafficking to the first 15 amino acids of PC2 and identified a conserved motif, R6VxP, that is required for cilial localization. The N-terminal 15 amino acids are also sufficient to localize heterologous proteins in cilia. PC2 has endogenous cilia trafficking information and is present in cilia of cells lining cysts that result from mutations in PKD1.

Molecular pathogenesis of ADPKD: the polycystin complex gets complex

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common human monogenic diseases with an incidence of 1:400 to 1:1000. It is characterized by the progressive development and enlargement of focal cysts in both kidneys, typically resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by the fifth decade. The cystogenic process is highly complex with a cellular phenotype consistent with "dedifferentiation" (i.e., a high proliferative rate, increased apoptosis, altered protein sorting, changed secretory characteristics, and disorganization of the extracellular matrix). Although cystic renal disease is the major cause of morbidity, the occurrence of nonrenal cysts, most notably in the liver (occasionally resulting in clinically significant polycystic liver disease) and the increased prevalence of other abnormalities including intracranial aneurysms, indicate that ADPKD is a systemic disorder. Following the identification of the first ADPKD gene, PKD1, 10 years ago and PKD2 2 years later, considerable progress has been made in defining the etiology and understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder, knowledge that is now leading to the development of several promising new therapies. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current state of knowledge as to the structure and function of the PKD1 and PKD2 proteins, polycystin-1 and -2, respectively, and explore how mutation at these loci results in the spectrum of changes seen in ADPKD.

CD2AP contributes to cell migration and adhesion in cultured gastric epithelium

The potential association of CD2AP with the adherens junction protein E-cadherin, co-localization with the actin cytoskeleton, and involvement in cell migration was investigated in cultured rat gastric mucosal cells. In stationary cells, CD2AP was localized perinuclearly while E-cadherin was expressed along cell-cell contacts and F-actin formed a branched network and adhesion belts. In migrating cells, CD2AP appeared as thread-like accumulations in the leading edges, colocalizing with F-actin and occasionally with E-cadherin. Intracellular injection of anti-CD2AP significantly retarded the migration speed of the cells suggesting a crucial role for CD2AP in mucosal cell migration, possibly as a scaffolding protein between cell membrane proteins and actin cytoskeleton. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that CD2AP and E-cadherin are in a complex in HGF stimulated cells. It is concluded that CD2AP interacts with E-cadherin and co-localizes with F-actin in the leading edge of migrating cells, and significantly contributes to cell migration in restituting gastric epithelium.

Alpha-actinin associates with polycystin-2 and regulates its channel activity

Polycystin-2 (PC2) is the product of the PKD2 gene, which is mutated in 10-15% patients of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). PC2 is an integral transmembrane protein and acts as a calcium-permeable cation channel. The functional modulation of this channel by other protein partners remains largely unknown. In the present study, using a yeast two-hybrid approach, we discovered that both intracellular N- and C-termini of PC2 associate with alpha-actinins, actin-binding and actin-bundling proteins important in cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. The PC2-alpha-actinin association was confirmed by in vitro glutathione S-transferase pull-down and dot blot overlay assays. In addition, the in vivo interaction between endogenous PC2 and alpha-actinins was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation in human embryonic kidney 293 and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, rat kidney and heart tissues and human syncytiotrophoblast (hST) apical membrane vesicles. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that PC2 and alpha-actinin were partially co-localized in epithelial MDCK and inner medullary collecting duct cells, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and hST vesicles. We studied the functional modulation of PC2 by alpha-actinin in a lipid bilayer electrophysiology system using in vitro translated PC2 and found that alpha-actinin substantially stimulated the channel activity of reconstituted PC2. A similar stimulatory effect of alpha-actinin on PC2 was also observed when hST vesicles were reconstituted in lipid bilayer. Thus, physical and functional interactions between PC2 and alpha-actinin may play an important role in abnormal cell adhesion, proliferation and migration observed in ADPKD.

CD2-associated protein in human urogenital system and in adult kidney tumours

We studied expression of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in human urogenital system and in adult kidney tumours. In the cortex of normal kidney, CD2AP was expressed in all types of tubules and in the glomeruli. Labelling was more intense in cytokeratin 7- and in Tamm-Horsfall-positive tubules than in proximal tubules. In the medulla, expression was observed in the collecting ducts. Urothelium and the epithelium of prostatic acini, seminal vesicles, seminiferous tubules, epididymal ducts, Fallopian tube, endometrium and endocervix as well as granulosa cells showed moderate to strong CD2AP positivity. In syncytiotrophoblast, the expression was weaker than in cytotrophoblast. Endometrial stroma was negative, but decidualised stroma was weakly positive. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (n=63) showed a weak expression. Type-I papillary RCCs (n=4) and papillary adenomas (n=3) were negative. The epithelium lining the cysts in multilocular cystic RCCs (n=3) and in cystic nephroma (n=1) was strongly positive. Chromophobe RCCs (n=2), oncocytomas (n=3) and urothelial carcinomas (n=2) were moderately positive. The results show that CD2AP displays a specific expression pattern in human urogenital organs and that distinct expression is shown in several types of kidney tumours but not in type-I papillary RCCs or in papillary adenomas.

Nephrin forms a complex with adherens junction proteins and CASK in podocytes and in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing nephrin

Mutations in the NPHS1 gene encoding nephrin lead to congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type. Nephrin is a key component of the glomerular slit diaphragms between epithelial foot processes, but its role in the pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. To further clarify the molecular mechanisms involved we investigated the interactions between nephrin and other components of the foot processes and filtration slits, especially adherens junction proteins, and searched for novel nephrin interacting proteins. Using co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays we show here that nephrin forms a multiprotein complex with cadherins and p120 catenin and with three scaffolding proteins, ZO-1, CD2AP, and CASK, in kidney glomeruli and when expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. CASK was identified as a novel binding partner of nephrin by mass spectrometry and was localized to podocytes in the glomerulus. CASK is a scaffolding protein that participates in maintenance of polarized epithelial cell architecture by linking membrane proteins and signaling molecules to the actin cytoskeleton. Our results support a model whereby the glomerular slit diaphragms are composed of cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin and cadherin superfamilies that are connected to each other and to the actin cytoskeleton and signaling networks via the cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins CASK, CD2AP, and ZO-1.

PIGEA-14, a Novel Coiled-coil Protein Affecting the Intracellular Distribution of Polycystin-2

Employing a yeast two-hybrid screen with the COOH terminus of polycystin-2, one of the proteins mutated in patients with polycystic kidney disease, we were able to isolate a novel protein that we call PIGEA-14 (polycystin-2 interactor, Golgi- and endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein with a molecular mass of 14 kDa). Molecular modeling only predicts a coiled-coil motif, but no other functional domains, in PIGEA-14. In a subsequent two-hybrid screen using PIGEA-14 as a bait, we found GM130, a component of the cis-compartment of the Golgi apparatus. Co-expression of the PIGEA-14 and PKD2 cDNAs in LLC-PK(1) and HeLa cells resulted in a redistribution of PIGEA-14 and polycystin-2 to the trans-Golgi network, which suggests that PIGEA-14 plays an important role in regulating the intracellular location of polycystin-2 and possibly other intracellular proteins. Our results also indicate that the intracellular trafficking of polycystin-2 is regulated both at the level of the endo-plasmic reticulum and that of the trans-Golgi network.

The N-terminal Extracellular Domain Is Required for Polycystin-1-dependent Channel Activity

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is caused by mutation of polycystin-1 or polycystin-2. Polycystin-2 is a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel. Polycystin-1 is an integral membrane protein of less defined function. The N-terminal extracellular region of polycystin-1 contains potential motifs for protein and carbohydrate interaction. We now report that expression of polycystin-1 alone in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in PKD2-null cells can confer Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation currents. Co-expression of a loss-of-function mutant of polycystin-2 in CHO cells does not reduce polycystin-1-dependent channel activity. A polycystin-1 mutant lacking approximately 2900 amino acids of the extracellular region is targeted to the cell surface but does not produce current. Extracellular application of antibodies against the immunoglobulin-like PKD domains reduces polycystin-1-dependent current. These results support the hypothesis that polycystin-1 is a surface membrane receptor that transduces the signal via changes in ionic currents.