An inactivating mutation in intestinal cell kinase, ICK, impairs hedgehog signalling and causes short rib-polydactyly syndrome

Ccrk-Mak/Ick signaling is a ciliary transport regulator essential for retinal photoreceptor survival

Primary cilia are microtubule-based sensory organelles whose dysfunction causes ciliopathies in humans. The formation, function, and maintenance of primary cilia depend crucially on intraflagellar transport (IFT); however, the regulatory mechanisms of IFT at ciliary tips are poorly understood. Here, we identified that the ciliopathy kinase Mak is a ciliary tip-localized IFT regulator that cooperatively acts with the ciliopathy kinase Ick, an IFT regulator. Simultaneous disruption of Mak and Ick resulted in loss of photoreceptor ciliary axonemes and severe retinal degeneration. Gene delivery of Ick and pharmacological inhibition of FGF receptors, Ick negative regulators, ameliorated retinal degeneration in Mak -/- mice. We also identified that Ccrk kinase is an upstream activator of Mak and Ick in retinal photoreceptor cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of Mak, Ick, and Ccrk and pharmacological inhibition of FGF receptors suppressed ciliopathy-related phenotypes caused by cytoplasmic dynein inhibition in cultured cells. Collectively, our results show that the Ccrk-Mak/Ick axis is an IFT regulator essential for retinal photoreceptor maintenance and present activation of Ick as a potential therapeutic approach for retinitis pigmentosa caused by MAK mutations.

A novel GRK2 variant in a patient with Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia accompanied by Morgagni hernia

Skeletal ciliopathies constitute a subgroup of ciliopathies characterized by various skeletal anomalies arising from mutations in genes impacting cilia, ciliogenesis, intraflagellar transport process, or various signaling pathways. Short-rib thoracic dysplasias, previously known as Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia (ATD), stand out as the most prevalent and prototypical form of skeletal ciliopathies, often associated with semilethality. Recently, pathogenic variants in GRK2, a subfamily of mammalian G protein-coupled receptor kinases, have been identified as one of the underlying causes of Jeune ATD. In this study, we report a new patient with Jeune ATD, in whom exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous GRK2 variant, and we review the clinical features and radiographic findings. In addition, our findings introduce Morgagni hernia and an organoaxial-type rotation anomaly of the stomach and midgut malrotation for the first time in the context of this recently characterized GRK2-related skeletal ciliopathy.

Ciliogenesis-associated Kinase 1 Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Chemoresistance via Phosphorylating ERK1

Ciliogenesis-associated kinase 1 (CILK1) plays a key role in the ciliogenesis and ciliopathies. It remains totally unclear whether CILK1 is involved in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Here, we report that the aberrant high-expression of CILK1 in breast cancer is required for tumor cell proliferation and chemoresistance. Two compounds, CILK1-C30 and CILK1-C28, were identified with selective inhibitory effects towards the Tyr-159/Thr-157 dual-phosphorylation of CILK1, pharmacological inhibition of CILK1 significantly suppressed tumor cell proliferation and overcame chemoresistance in multiple experimental models. Large-scale screen of CILK1 substrates confirmed that the kinase directly phosphorylates ERK1, which is responsible for CILK1-mediated oncogenic function. CILK1 is also indicated to be responsible for the chemoresistance of small-cell lung cancer cells. Our data highlight the importance of CILK1 in cancer, implicating that targeting CILK1/ERK1 might offer therapeutic benefit to cancer patients.

Illumination of understudied ciliary kinases

Cilia are cellular signaling hubs. Given that human kinases are central regulators of signaling, it is not surprising that kinases are key players in cilia biology. In fact, many kinases modulate ciliogenesis, which is the generation of cilia, and distinct ciliary pathways. Several of these kinases are understudied with few publications dedicated to the interrogation of their function. Recent efforts to develop chemical probes for members of the cyclin-dependent kinase like (CDKL), never in mitosis gene A (NIMA) related kinase (NEK), and tau tubulin kinase (TTBK) families either have delivered or are working toward delivery of high-quality chemical tools to characterize the roles that specific kinases play in ciliary processes. A better understanding of ciliary kinases may shed light on whether modulation of these targets will slow or halt disease onset or progression. For example, both understudied human kinases and some that are more well-studied play important ciliary roles in neurons and have been implicated in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and other neurological diseases. Similarly, subsets of human ciliary kinases are associated with cancer and oncological pathways. Finally, a group of genetic disorders characterized by defects in cilia called ciliopathies have associated gene mutations that impact kinase activity and function. This review highlights both progress related to the understanding of ciliary kinases as well as in chemical inhibitor development for a subset of these kinases. We emphasize known roles of ciliary kinases in diseases of the brain and malignancies and focus on a subset of poorly characterized kinases that regulate ciliary biology.

Primary cilia in skeletal development and disease

Primary cilia are non-motile, microtubule-based sensory organelle present in most vertebrate cells with a fundamental role in the modulation of organismal development, morphogenesis, and repair. Here we focus on the role of primary cilia in embryonic and postnatal skeletal development. We examine evidence supporting its involvement in physiochemical and developmental signaling that regulates proliferation, patterning, differentiation and homeostasis of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and their progenitor cells in the skeleton. We discuss how signaling effectors in mechanotransduction and bone development, such as Hedgehog, Wnt, Fibroblast growth factor and second messenger pathways operate at least in part at the primary cilium. The relevance of primary cilia in bone formation and maintenance is underscored by a growing list of rare genetic skeletal ciliopathies. We collate these findings and summarize the current understanding of molecular factors and mechanisms governing primary ciliogenesis and ciliary function in skeletal development and disease.

The Scaffold Protein KATNIP Enhances CILK1 Control of Primary Cilia

The primary cilium functions as a cellular sensory organelle and signaling antenna that detects and transduces extracellular signals. Mutations in the human gene CILK1 (ciliogenesis associated kinase 1) cause abnormal cilia elongation and faulty Hedgehog signaling, associated with developmental disorders and epilepsy. CILK1 is a protein kinase that requires dual phosphorylation of its TDY motif for activation and its extended C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) mediates targeting to the basal body and substrate recognition. Proteomics previously identified katanin-interacting protein (KATNIP), also known as KIAA0556, as a CILK1 interacting partner. In this study we discovered that CILK1 colocalizes with KATNIP at the basal body and the CILK1 IDR is sufficient to mediate binding to KATNIP. Deletion analysis of KATNIP shows one of three domains of unknown function (DUF) is required for association with CILK1. KATNIP binding with CILK1 drastically elevated CILK1 protein levels and TDY phosphorylation in cells. This resulted in a profound increase in phosphorylation of known CILK1 substrates and suppression of cilia length. Thus, KATNIP functions as a regulatory subunit of CILK1 that potentiates its actions. This advances our understanding of the molecular basis of control of primary cilia.

IFT-A structure reveals carriages for membrane protein transport into cilia

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) trains are massive molecular machines that traffic proteins between cilia and the cell body. Each IFT train is a dynamic polymer of two large complexes (IFT-A and -B) and motor proteins, posing a formidable challenge to mechanistic understanding. Here, we reconstituted the complete human IFT-A complex and obtained its structure using cryo-EM. Combined with AlphaFold prediction and genome-editing studies, our results illuminate how IFT-A polymerizes, interacts with IFT-B, and uses an array of β-propeller and TPR domains to create "carriages" of the IFT train that engage TULP adaptor proteins. We show that IFT-A⋅TULP carriages are essential for cilia localization of diverse membrane proteins, as well as ICK-the key kinase regulating IFT train turnaround. These data establish a structural link between IFT-A's distinct functions, provide a blueprint for IFT-A in the train, and shed light on how IFT evolved from a proto-coatomer ancestor.

BROMI/TBC1D32 together with CCRK/CDK20 and FAM149B1/JBTS36 contributes to intraflagellar transport turnaround involving ICK/CILK1

Primary cilia are antenna-like organelles that contain specific proteins, and are crucial for tissue morphogenesis. Anterograde and retrograde trafficking of ciliary proteins are mediated by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery. BROMI/TBC1D32 interacts with CCRK/CDK20, which phosphorylates and activates the intestinal cell kinase (ICK)/CILK1 kinase, to regulate the change in direction of the IFT machinery at the ciliary tip. Mutations in BROMI, CCRK, and ICK in humans cause ciliopathies, and mice defective in these genes are also known to demonstrate ciliopathy phenotypes. We show here that BROMI interacts not only with CCRK but also with CFAP20, an evolutionarily conserved ciliary protein, and with FAM149B1/ Joubert syndrome (JBTS)36, a protein in which mutations cause JBTS. In addition, we show that FAM149B1 interacts directly with CCRK as well as with BROMI. Ciliary defects observed in CCRK-knockout (KO), BROMI-KO, and FAM149B1-KO cells, including abnormally long cilia and accumulation of the IFT machinery and ICK at the ciliary tip, resembled one another, and BROMI mutants that are defective in binding to CCRK and CFAP20 were unable to rescue the ciliary defects of BROMI-KO cells. These data indicate that CCRK, BROMI, FAM149B1, and probably CFAP20 altogether regulate the IFT turnaround process under the control of ICK.

Modulation of Primary Cilia by Alvocidib Inhibition of CILK1

The primary cilium provides cell sensory and signaling functions. Cilia structure and function are regulated by ciliogenesis-associated kinase 1 (CILK1). Ciliopathies caused by CILK1 mutations show longer cilia and abnormal Hedgehog signaling. Our study aimed to identify small molecular inhibitors of CILK1 that would enable pharmacological modulation of primary cilia. A previous screen of a chemical library for interactions with protein kinases revealed that Alvocidib has a picomolar binding affinity for CILK1. In this study, we show that Alvocidib potently inhibits CILK1 (IC₅₀ = 20 nM), exhibits selectivity for inhibition of CILK1 over cyclin-dependent kinases 2/4/6 at low nanomolar concentrations, and induces CILK1-dependent cilia elongation. Our results support the use of Alvocidib to potently and selectively inhibit CILK1 to modulate primary cilia.

Pervasive occurrence of splice-site-creating mutations and their possible involvement in genetic disorders

The search for causative mutations in human genetic disorders has mainly focused on mutations that disrupt coding regions or splice sites. Recently, however, it has been reported that mutations creating splice sites can also cause a range of genetic disorders. In this study, we identified 5656 candidate splice-site-creating mutations (SCMs), of which 3942 are likely to be pathogenic, in 4054 genes responsible for genetic disorders. Reanalysis of exome data obtained from ciliopathy patients led us to identify 38 SCMs as candidate causative mutations. We estimate that, by focusing on SCMs, the increase in diagnosis rate is approximately 5.9–8.5% compared to the number of already known pathogenic variants. This finding suggests that SCMs are mutations worth focusing on in the search for causative mutations of genetic disorders.

The carboxyl-terminal region of SDCCAG8 comprises a functional module essential for cilia formation as well as organ development and homeostasis

In humans, ciliary dysfunction causes ciliopathies, which present as multiple organ defects, including developmental and sensory abnormalities. Sdccag8 is a centrosomal/basal body protein essential for proper cilia formation. Gene mutations in SDCCAG8 have been found in patients with ciliopathies manifesting a broad spectrum of symptoms, including hypogonadism. Among these mutations, several that are predicted to truncate the SDCCAG8 carboxyl (C) terminus are also associated with such symptoms; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we identified the Sdccag8 C-terminal region (Sdccag8-C) as a module that interacts with the ciliopathy proteins, Ick/Cilk1 and Mak, which were shown to be essential for the regulation of ciliary protein trafficking and cilia length in mammals in our previous studies. We found that Sdccag8-C is essential for Sdccag8 localization to centrosomes and cilia formation in cultured cells. We then generated a mouse mutant in which Sdccag8-C was truncated (Sdccag8^ΔC/ΔC mice) using a CRISPR-mediated stop codon knock-in strategy. In Sdccag8^ΔC/ΔC mice, we observed abnormalities in cilia formation and ciliopathy-like organ phenotypes, including cleft palate, polydactyly, retinal degeneration, and cystic kidney, which partially overlapped with those previously observed in Ick- and Mak-deficient mice. Furthermore, Sdccag8^ΔC/ΔC mice exhibited a defect in spermatogenesis, which was a previously uncharacterized phenotype of Sdccag8 dysfunction. Together, these results shed light on the molecular and pathological mechanisms underlying ciliopathies observed in patients with SDCCAG8 mutations and may advance our understanding of protein–protein interaction networks involved in cilia development.

Ciliary Hedgehog signaling patterns the digestive system to generate mechanical forces driving elongation

How tubular organs elongate is poorly understood. We found that attenuated ciliary Hedgehog signaling in the gut wall impaired patterning of the circumferential smooth muscle and inhibited proliferation and elongation of developing intestine and esophagus. Similarly, ablation of gut-wall smooth muscle cells reduced lengthening. Disruption of ciliary Hedgehog signaling or removal of smooth muscle reduced residual stress within the gut wall and decreased activity of the mechanotransductive effector YAP. Removing YAP in the mesenchyme also reduced proliferation and elongation, but without affecting smooth muscle formation, suggesting that YAP interprets the smooth muscle-generated force to promote longitudinal growth. Additionally, we developed an intestinal culture system that recapitulates the requirements for cilia and mechanical forces in elongation. Pharmacologically activating YAP in this system restored elongation of cilia-deficient intestines. Thus, our results reveal that ciliary Hedgehog signaling patterns the circumferential smooth muscle to generate radial mechanical forces that activate YAP and elongate the gut.

CCRK/CDK20 regulates ciliary retrograde protein trafficking via interacting with BROMI/TBC1D32

CCRK/CDK20 was reported to interact with BROMI/TBC1D32 and regulate ciliary Hedgehog signaling. In various organisms, mutations in the orthologs of CCRK and those of the kinase ICK/CILK1, which is phosphorylated by CCRK, are known to result in cilia elongation. Furthermore, we recently showed that ICK regulates retrograde ciliary protein trafficking and/or the turnaround event at the ciliary tips, and that its mutations result in the elimination of intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins that have overaccumulated at the bulged ciliary tips as extracellular vesicles, in addition to cilia elongation. However, how these proteins cooperate to regulate ciliary protein trafficking has remained unclear. We here show that the phenotypes of CCRK-knockout (KO) cells closely resemble those of ICK-KO cells; namely, the overaccumulation of IFT proteins at the bulged ciliary tips, which appear to be eliminated as extracellular vesicles, and the enrichment of GPR161 and Smoothened on the ciliary membrane. The abnormal phenotypes of CCRK-KO cells were rescued by the exogenous expression of wild-type CCRK but not its kinase-dead mutant or a mutant defective in BROMI binding. These results together indicate that CCRK regulates the turnaround process at the ciliary tips in concert with BROMI and probably via activating ICK.

Cilia kinases in skeletal development and homeostasis

Primary cilia are dynamic compartments that regulate multiple aspects of cellular signaling. The production, maintenance, and function of cilia involve more than 1000 genes in mammals, and their mutations disrupt the ciliary signaling which manifests in a plethora of pathological conditions-the ciliopathies. Skeletal ciliopathies are genetic disorders affecting the development and homeostasis of the skeleton, and encompass a broad spectrum of pathologies ranging from isolated polydactyly to lethal syndromic dysplasias. The recent advances in forward genetics allowed for the identification of novel regulators of skeletogenesis, and revealed a growing list of ciliary proteins that are critical for signaling pathways implicated in bone physiology. Among these, a group of protein kinases involved in cilia assembly, maintenance, signaling, and disassembly has emerged. In this review, we summarize the functions of cilia kinases in skeletal development and disease, and discuss the available and upcoming treatment options.

Ttc30a affects tubulin modifications in a model for ciliary chondrodysplasia with polycystic kidney disease

Cilia are tubulin-based cellular appendages, and their dysfunction has been linked to a variety of genetic diseases. Ciliary chondrodysplasia is one such condition that can co-occur with cystic kidney disease and other organ manifestations. We modeled skeletal ciliopathies by mutating two established disease genes in Xenopus tropicalis frogs. Bioinformatic analysis identified ttc30a as a ciliopathy network component, and targeting it replicated skeletal malformations and renal cysts as seen in patients and the amphibian models. A loss of Ttc30a affected cilia by altering posttranslational tubulin modifications. Our findings identify TTC30A/B as a component of ciliary segmentation essential for cartilage differentiation and renal tubulogenesis. These findings may lead to novel therapeutic targets in treating ciliary skeletopathies and cystic kidney disease.

Skeletal ciliopathies (e.g., Jeune syndrome, short rib polydactyly syndrome, and Sensenbrenner syndrome) are frequently associated with nephronophthisis-like cystic kidney disease and other organ manifestations. Despite recent progress in genetic mapping of causative loci, a common molecular mechanism of cartilage defects and cystic kidneys has remained elusive. Targeting two ciliary chondrodysplasia loci (ift80 and ift172) by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we established models for skeletal ciliopathies in Xenopus tropicalis. Froglets exhibited severe limb deformities, polydactyly, and cystic kidneys, closely matching the phenotype of affected patients. A data mining–based in silico screen found ttc30a to be related to known skeletal ciliopathy genes. CRISPR/Cas9 targeting replicated limb malformations and renal cysts identical to the models of established disease genes. Loss of Ttc30a impaired embryonic renal excretion and ciliogenesis because of altered posttranslational tubulin acetylation, glycylation, and defective axoneme compartmentalization. Ttc30a/b transcripts are enriched in chondrocytes and osteocytes of single-cell RNA-sequenced embryonic mouse limbs. We identify TTC30A/B as an essential node in the network of ciliary chondrodysplasia and nephronophthisis-like disease proteins and suggest that tubulin modifications and cilia segmentation contribute to skeletal and renal ciliopathy manifestations of ciliopathies in a cell type–specific manner. These findings have implications for potential therapeutic strategies.

Mice Harboring a Non-Functional CILK1/ICK Allele Fail to Model the Epileptic Phenotype in Patients Carrying Variant CILK1/ICK

CILK1 (ciliogenesis associated kinase 1)/ICK (intestinal cell kinase) is a highly conserved protein kinase that regulates primary cilia structure and function. CILK1 mutations cause a wide spectrum of human diseases collectively called ciliopathies. While several CILK1 heterozygous variants have been recently linked to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), it remains unclear whether these mutations cause seizures. Herein, we investigated whether mice harboring either a heterozygous null Cilk1 (Cilk1^+/−) mutation or a heterozygous loss-of-function Cilk1 mutation (Cilk1^R272Q/+) have epilepsy. We first evaluated the spontaneous seizure phenotype of Cilk1^+/− and Cilk1^R272Q/+ mice relative to wildtype littermates. We observed no electrographic differences among the three mouse genotypes during prolonged recordings. We also evaluated electrographic and behavioral responses of mice recovering from isoflurane anesthesia, an approach recently used to measure seizure-like activity. Again, we observed no electrographic or behavioral differences in control versus Cilk1^+/− and Cilk1^R272Q/+ mice upon isoflurane recovery. These results indicate that mice bearing a non-functional copy of Cilk1 fail to produce electrographic patterns resembling those of JME patients with a variant CILK1 copy. Our findings argue against CILK1 haploinsufficiency being the mechanism that links CILK1 variants to JME.

Wdpcp regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation in the developing limb via hedgehog signaling

Background

Mice with a loss of function mutation in Wdpcp were described previously to display severe birth defects in the developing heart, neural tube, and limb buds. Further characterization of the skeletal phenotype of Wdpcp null mice was limited by perinatal lethality.

Results

We utilized Prx1-Cre mice to generate limb bud mesenchyme specific deletion of Wdpcp. These mice recapitulated the appendicular skeletal phenotype of the Wdpcp null mice including polydactyl and limb bud signaling defects. Examination of late stages of limb development demonstrated decreased size of cartilage anlagen, delayed calcification, and abnormal growth plates. Utilizing in vitro assays, we demonstrated that loss of Wdpcp in skeletal progenitors lead to loss of hedgehog signaling responsiveness and associated proliferative response. In vitro chondrogenesis assays showed this loss of hedgehog and proliferative response was associated with decreased expression of early chondrogenic marker N-Cadherin. E14.5 forelimbs demonstrated delayed ossification and expression of osteoblast markers Runx2 and Sp7. P0 growth plates demonstrated loss of hedgehog signaling markers and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plate. In vitro osteogenesis assays demonstrated decreased osteogenic differentiation of Wdpcp null mesenchymal progenitors in response to hedgehog stimulation.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate how Wdpcp and associated regulation of the hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role at multiple stages of skeletal development. Wdpcp is necessary for positive regulation of hedgehog signaling and associated proliferation is key to the initiation of chondrogenesis. At later stages, Wdpcp facilitates the robust hedgehog response necessary for chondrocyte hypertrophy and osteogenic differentiation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12861-021-00241-9.

Oncogenic FGFR Fusions Produce Centrosome and Cilia Defects by Ectopic Signaling

A single primary cilium projects from most vertebrate cells to guide cell fate decisions. A growing list of signaling molecules is found to function through cilia and control ciliogenesis, including the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR). Aberrant FGFR activity produces abnormal cilia with deregulated signaling, which contributes to pathogenesis of the FGFR-mediated genetic disorders. FGFR lesions are also found in cancer, raising a possibility of cilia involvement in the neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Here, we focus on FGFR gene fusions, and discuss the possible mechanisms by which they function as oncogenic drivers. We show that a substantial portion of the FGFR fusion partners are proteins associated with the centrosome cycle, including organization of the mitotic spindle and ciliogenesis. The functions of centrosome proteins are often lost with the gene fusion, leading to haploinsufficiency that induces cilia loss and deregulated cell division. We speculate that this complements the ectopic FGFR activity and drives the FGFR fusion cancers.

High diagnostic yield in skeletal ciliopathies using massively parallel genome sequencing, structural variant screening and RNA analyses

Skeletal ciliopathies are a heterogenous group of disorders with overlapping clinical and radiographic features including bone dysplasia and internal abnormalities. To date, pathogenic variants in at least 30 genes, coding for different structural cilia proteins, are reported to cause skeletal ciliopathies. Here, we summarize genetic and phenotypic features of 34 affected individuals from 29 families with skeletal ciliopathies. Molecular diagnostic testing was performed using massively parallel sequencing (MPS) in combination with copy number variant (CNV) analyses and in silico filtering for variants in known skeletal ciliopathy genes. We identified biallelic disease-causing variants in seven genes: DYNC2H1, KIAA0753, WDR19, C2CD3, TTC21B, EVC, and EVC2. Four variants located in non-canonical splice sites of DYNC2H1, EVC, and KIAA0753 led to aberrant splicing that was shown by sequencing of cDNA. Furthermore, CNV analyses showed an intragenic deletion of DYNC2H1 in one individual and a 6.7 Mb de novo deletion on chromosome 1q24q25 in another. In five unsolved cases, MPS was performed in family setting. In one proband we identified a de novo variant in PRKACA and in another we found a homozygous intragenic deletion of IFT74, removing the first coding exon and leading to expression of a shorter message predicted to result in loss of 40 amino acids at the N-terminus. These findings establish IFT74 as a new skeletal ciliopathy gene. In conclusion, combined single nucleotide variant, CNV and cDNA analyses lead to a high yield of genetic diagnoses (90%) in a cohort of patients with skeletal ciliopathies.

Post-translational modification enzymes as key regulators of ciliary protein trafficking

Primary cilia are evolutionarily conserved microtubule-based organelles that protrude from the surface of almost all cell types and decode a variety of extracellular stimuli. Ciliary dysfunction causes human diseases named ciliopathies, which span a wide range of symptoms, such as developmental and sensory abnormalities. The assembly, disassembly, maintenance and function of cilia rely on protein transport systems including intraflagellar transport (IFT) and lipidated protein intraflagellar targeting (LIFT). IFT is coordinated by three multisubunit protein complexes with molecular motors along the ciliary axoneme, while LIFT is mediated by specific chaperones that directly recognize lipid chains. Recently, it has become clear that several post-translational modification enzymes play crucial roles in the regulation of IFT and LIFT. Here, we review our current understanding of the roles of these post-translational modification enzymes in the regulation of ciliary protein trafficking as well as their regulatory mechanisms, physiological significance and involvement in human diseases.

Phosphosite T674A mutation in kinesin family member 3A fails to reproduce tissue and ciliary defects characteristic of CILK1 loss of function

BACKGROUND

Kinesin family member 3A (KIF3A) is a molecular motor protein in the heterotrimeric kinesin-2 complex that drives anterograde intraflagellar transport. This process plays a pivotal role in both biogenesis and maintenance of the primary cilium that supports tissue development. Ciliogenesis associated kinase 1 (CILK1) phosphorylates human KIF3A at Thr672. CILK1 loss of function causes ciliopathies that manifest profound and multiplex developmental defects, including hydrocephalus, polydactyly, shortened and hypoplastic bones and alveoli airspace deficiency, leading to perinatal lethality. Prior studies have raised the hypothesis that CILK1 phosphorylation of KIF3A is critical for its regulation of organ development.

RESULTS

We produced a mouse model with phosphorylation site Thr674 in mouse Kif3a mutated to Ala. Kif3a T674A homozygotes are viable and exhibit no skeletal and brain abnormalities, and only mildly reduced airspace in alveoli. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts carrying Kif3a T674A mutation show a normal rate of ciliation and a moderate increase in cilia length.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that eliminating Kif3a Thr674 phosphorylation by Cilk1 is insufficient to reproduce the severe developmental defects in ciliopathies caused by Cilk1 loss of function. This suggests KIF3A-Thr672 phosphorylation by CILK1 is not essential for tissue development and other substrates are involved in CILK1 ciliopathies.

Cooperation of the IFT-A complex with the IFT-B complex is required for ciliary retrograde protein trafficking and GPCR import

Cilia sense and transduce extracellular signals via specific receptors. The intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery mediates not only bidirectional protein trafficking within cilia but also the import/export of ciliary proteins across the ciliary gate. The IFT machinery is known to comprise two multisubunit complexes, namely, IFT-A and IFT-B; however, little is known about how the two complexes cooperate to mediate ciliary protein trafficking. We here show that IFT144-IFT122 from IFT-A and IFT88-IFT52 from IFT-B make major contributions to the interface between the two complexes. Exogenous expression of the IFT88(Δα) mutant, which has decreased binding to IFT-A, partially restores the ciliogenesis defect of IFT88-knockout (KO) cells. However, IFT88(Δα)-expressing IFT88-KO cells demonstrate a defect in IFT-A entry into cilia, aberrant accumulation of IFT-B proteins at the bulged ciliary tips, and impaired import of ciliary G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Furthermore, overaccumulated IFT proteins at the bulged tips appeared to be released as extracellular vesicles. These phenotypes of IFT88(Δα)-expressing IFT88-KO cells resembled those of IFT144-KO cells. These observations together indicate that the IFT-A complex cooperates with the IFT-B complex to mediate the ciliary entry of GPCRs as well as retrograde trafficking of the IFT machinery from the ciliary tip.

Mutations in GRK2 cause Jeune syndrome by impairing Hedgehog and canonical Wnt signaling

Mutations in genes affecting primary cilia cause ciliopathies, a diverse group of disorders often affecting skeletal development. This includes Jeune syndrome or asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD), an autosomal recessive skeletal disorder. Unraveling the responsible molecular pathology helps illuminate mechanisms responsible for functional primary cilia. We identified two families with ATD caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (ADRBK1 or GRK2). GRK2 cells from an affected individual homozygous for the p.R158* mutation resulted in loss of GRK2, and disrupted chondrocyte growth and differentiation in the cartilage growth plate. GRK2 null cells displayed normal cilia morphology, yet loss of GRK2 compromised cilia-based signaling of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Canonical Wnt signaling was also impaired, manifested as a failure to respond to Wnt ligand due to impaired phosphorylation of the Wnt co-receptor LRP6. We have identified GRK2 as an essential regulator of skeletogenesis and demonstrate how both Hh and Wnt signaling mechanistically contribute to skeletal ciliopathies.

Anterograde trafficking of ciliary MAP kinase-like ICK/CILK1 by the intraflagellar transport machinery is required for intraciliary retrograde protein trafficking

ICK (also known as CILK1) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase-like kinase localized at the ciliary tip. Its deficiency is known to result in the elongation of cilia and causes ciliopathies in humans. However, little is known about how ICK is transported to the ciliary tip. We here show that the C-terminal noncatalytic region of ICK interacts with the intraflagellar transport (IFT)-B complex of the IFT machinery and participates in its transport to the ciliary tip. Furthermore, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that ICK undergoes bidirectional movement within cilia, similarly to IFT particles. Analysis of ICK knockout cells demonstrated that ICK deficiency severely impairs the retrograde trafficking of IFT particles and ciliary G protein-coupled receptors. In addition, we found that in ICK knockout cells, ciliary proteins are accumulated at the bulged ciliary tip, which appeared to be torn off and released into the environment as an extracellular vesicle. The exogenous expression of various ICK constructs in ICK knockout cells indicated that the IFT-dependent transport of ICK, as well as its kinase activity and phosphorylation at the canonical TDY motif, is essential for ICK function. Thus, we unequivocally show that ICK transported to the ciliary tip is required for retrograde ciliary protein trafficking and consequently for normal ciliary function.

The novel ciliogenesis regulator DYRK2 governs Hedgehog signaling during mouse embryogenesis

Mammalian Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays key roles in embryogenesis and uniquely requires primary cilia. Functional analyses of several ciliogenesis-related genes led to the discovery of the developmental diseases known as ciliopathies. Hence, identification of mammalian factors that regulate ciliogenesis can provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of embryogenesis and ciliopathy. Here, we demonstrate that DYRK2 acts as a novel mammalian ciliogenesis-related protein kinase. Loss of Dyrk2 in mice causes suppression of Hh signaling and results in skeletal abnormalities during in vivo embryogenesis. Deletion of Dyrk2 induces abnormal ciliary morphology and trafficking of Hh pathway components. Mechanistically, transcriptome analyses demonstrate down-regulation of Aurka and other disassembly genes following Dyrk2 deletion. Taken together, the present study demonstrates for the first time that DYRK2 controls ciliogenesis and is necessary for Hh signaling during mammalian development.

Architecture of the IFT ciliary trafficking machinery and interplay between its components

Cilia and flagella serve as cellular antennae and propellers in various eukaryotic cells, and contain specific receptors and ion channels as well as components of axonemal microtubules and molecular motors to achieve their sensory and motile functions. Not only the bidirectional trafficking of specific proteins within cilia but also their selective entry and exit across the ciliary gate is mediated by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery with the aid of motor proteins. The IFT-B complex, which is powered by the kinesin-2 motor, mediates anterograde protein trafficking from the base to the tip of cilia, whereas the IFT-A complex together with the dynein-2 complex mediates retrograde protein trafficking. The BBSome complex connects ciliary membrane proteins to the IFT machinery. Defects in any component of this trafficking machinery lead to abnormal ciliogenesis and ciliary functions, and results in a broad spectrum of disorders, collectively called the ciliopathies. In this review article, we provide an overview of the architectures of the components of the IFT machinery and their functional interplay in ciliary protein trafficking.

Functional Alterations in Ciliogenesis-Associated Kinase 1 (CILK1) that Result from Mutations Linked to Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Ciliopathies are a group of human genetic disorders associated with mutations that give rise to the dysfunction of primary cilia. Ciliogenesis-associated kinase 1 (CILK1), formerly known as intestinal cell kinase (ICK), is a conserved serine and threonine kinase that restricts primary (non-motile) cilia formation and length. Mutations in CILK1 are associated with ciliopathies and are also linked to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). However, the effects of the JME-related mutations in CILK1 on kinase activity and CILK1 function are unknown. Here, we report that JME pathogenic mutations in the CILK1 N-terminal kinase domain abolish kinase activity, evidenced by the loss of phosphorylation of kinesin family member 3A (KIF3A) at Thr672, while JME mutations in the C-terminal non-catalytic domain (CTD) have little effect on KIF3A phosphorylation. Although CILK1 variants in the CTD retain catalytic activity, they nonetheless lose the ability to restrict cilia length and also gain function in promoting ciliogenesis. We show that wild type CILK1 predominantly localizes to the base of the primary cilium; in contrast, JME variants of CILK1 are distributed along the entire axoneme of the primary cilium. These results demonstrate that JME pathogenic mutations perturb CILK1 function and intracellular localization. These CILK1 variants affect the primary cilium, independent of CILK1 phosphorylation of KIF3A. Our findings suggest that CILK1 mutations linked to JME result in alterations of primary cilia formation and homeostasis.

Activation of sonic hedgehog signaling by a Smoothened agonist restores congenital defects in mouse models of endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia syndrome

Background

Endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia (ECO) syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with congenital defects of the endocrine, cerebral, and skeletal systems in humans. ECO syndrome is caused by mutations of the intestinal cell kinase (ICK) gene, which encodes a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-related kinase that plays a critical role in controlling the length of primary cilia. Lack of ICK function disrupts transduction of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, which is important for development and homeostasis in humans and mice. Craniofacial structure abnormalities, such as cleft palate, are one of the most common defects observed in ECO syndrome patients, but the role of ICK in palatal development has not been studied.

Methods

Using Ick-mutant mice, we investigated the mechanisms by which ICK function loss causes cleft palate and examined pharmacological rescue of the congenital defects.

Findings

SHH signaling was compromised with abnormally elongated primary cilia in the developing palate of Ick-mutant mice. Cell proliferation was significantly decreased, resulting in failure of palatal outgrowth, although palatal adhesion and fusion occurred normally. We thus attempted to rescue the congenital palatal defects of Ick mutants by pharmacological activation of SHH signaling. Treatment of Ick-mutant mice with an agonist for Smoothened (SAG) rescued several congenital defects, including cleft palate.

Interpretations

The recovery of congenital defects by pharmacological intervention in the mouse models for ECO syndrome highlights prenatal SHH signaling modulation as a potential therapeutic measure to overcome congenital defects of ciliopathies.

Ciliogenesis associated kinase 1: targets and functions in various organ systems

Ciliogenesis associated kinase 1 (CILK1) was previously known as intestinal cell kinase because it was cloned from that origin. However, CILK1 is now recognized as a widely expressed and highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase. Mutations in the human CILK1 gene have been associated with ciliopathies, a group of human genetic disorders with defects in the primary cilium. In mice, both Cilk1 knock-out and Cilk1 knock-in mutations have recapitulated human ciliopathies. Thus, CILK1 has a fundamental role in the function of the cilium. Several candidate substrates have been proposed for CILK1 and the challenge is to relate these to the mutant phenotypes. In this review, we summarize what is known about CILK1 functions and targets, and discuss gaps in current knowledge that motivate further experimentation to fully understand the role of CILK1 in organ development in humans.

Ciliopathy-Associated Protein Kinase ICK Requires Its Non-Catalytic Carboxyl-Terminal Domain for Regulation of Ciliogenesis

Loss-of-function mutations in the human ICK (intestinal cell kinase) gene cause dysfunctional primary cilia and perinatal lethality which are associated with human ciliopathies. The enzyme that we herein call CAPK (ciliopathy-associated protein kinase) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has a highly conserved MAPK-like N-terminal catalytic domain and an unstructured C-terminal domain (CTD) whose functions are completely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that truncation of the CTD impairs the ability of CAPK to interact with and phosphorylate its substrate, kinesin family member 3A (KIF3A). We also find that deletion of the CTD of CAPK compromises both localization to the primary cilium and negative regulation of ciliogenesis. Thus, CAPK substrate recognition, ciliary targeting, and ciliary function depend on the non-catalytic CTD of the protein which is predicted to be intrinsically disordered.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor influences primary cilium length through an interaction with intestinal cell kinase

Vertebrate primary cilium is a Hedgehog signaling center but the extent of its involvement in other signaling systems is less well understood. This report delineates a mechanism by which fibroblast growth factor (FGF) controls primary cilia. Employing proteomic approaches to characterize proteins associated with the FGF-receptor, FGFR3, we identified the serine/threonine kinase intestinal cell kinase (ICK) as an FGFR interactor. ICK is involved in ciliogenesis and participates in control of ciliary length. FGF signaling partially abolished ICK's kinase activity, through FGFR-mediated ICK phosphorylation at conserved residue Tyr15, which interfered with optimal ATP binding. Activation of the FGF signaling pathway affected both primary cilia length and function in a manner consistent with cilia effects caused by inhibition of ICK activity. Moreover, knockdown and knockout of ICK rescued the FGF-mediated effect on cilia. We provide conclusive evidence that FGF signaling controls cilia via interaction with ICK.

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome (Saldino-Noonan type) undetected by standard prenatal genetic testing

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome (SRPS) is an extremely rare lethal skeletal dysplasia characterized by organ abnormalities, polydactyly, shortened tubular bones and a constricted thoracic cage [Saldino RM. Lethal short-limbed dwarfism: achondrogenesis and thanatophoric dwarfism. Am J Roentgenol. 1971;112:185–97]. In this case, we describe a neonate born with Type I SRPS (Saldino-Noonan type). Prenatal ultrasounds were suspicious for skeletal dysplasia, but prenatal genetic testing was negative. Postnatally, the infant was found to have severely hypoplastic lungs, a large patent ductus arteriosus, hydrops fetalis, polydactyly and a saddle nose. Postnatal DNA sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of SRPS and revealed a compound heterogeneous mutation in a gene involved in primary cilia synthesis. Ultimately, the infant was withdrawn from life support at 7 days due to severe respiratory decompensation from the lung hypoplasia.

Regulation of ciliary function by fibroblast growth factor signaling identifies FGFR3-related disorders achondroplasia and thanatophoric dysplasia as ciliopathies

Cilia project from almost every cell integrating extracellular cues with signaling pathways. Constitutive activation of FGFR3 signaling produces the skeletal disorders achondroplasia (ACH) and thanatophoric dysplasia (TD), but many of the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes remain unresolved. Here, we report in vivo evidence for significantly shortened primary cilia in ACH and TD cartilage growth plates. Using in vivo and in vitro methodologies, our data demonstrate that transient versus sustained activation of FGF signaling correlated with different cilia consequences. Transient FGF pathway activation elongated cilia, while sustained activity shortened cilia. FGF signaling extended primary cilia via ERK MAP kinase and mTORC2 signaling, but not through mTORC1. Employing a GFP-tagged IFT20 construct to measure intraflagellar (IFT) speed in cilia, we showed that FGF signaling affected IFT velocities, as well as modulating cilia-based Hedgehog signaling. Our data integrate primary cilia into canonical FGF signal transduction and uncover a FGF-cilia pathway that needs consideration when elucidating the mechanisms of physiological and pathological FGFR function, or in the development of FGFR therapeutics.

A Murine Model for Human ECO Syndrome Reveals a Critical Role of Intestinal Cell Kinase in Skeletal Development

An autosomal-recessive inactivating mutation R272Q in the human intestinal cell kinase (ICK) gene caused profound multiplex developmental defects in human endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia (ECO) syndrome. ECO patients exhibited a wide variety of skeletal abnormalities, yet the underlying mechanisms by which ICK regulates skeletal development remained largely unknown. The goal of this study was to understand the structural and mechanistic basis underlying skeletal anomalies caused by ICK dysfunction. Ick R272Q knock-in transgenic mouse model not only recapitulated major ECO skeletal defects such as short limbs and polydactyly but also revealed a deformed spine with defective intervertebral disk. Loss of ICK function markedly reduced mineralization in the spinal column, ribs, and long bones. Ick mutants showed a significant decrease in the proliferation zone of long bones and the number of type X collagen-expressing hypertrophic chondrocytes in the spinal column and the growth plate of long bones. These results implicate that ICK plays an important role in bone and cartilage development by promoting chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Our findings provided new mechanistic insights into the skeletal phenotype of human ECO and ECO-like syndromes.

Expanding the genetic architecture and phenotypic spectrum in the skeletal ciliopathies

Defects in the biosynthesis and/or function of primary cilia cause a spectrum of disorders collectively referred to as ciliopathies. A subset of these disorders is distinguished by profound abnormalities of the skeleton that include a long narrow chest with markedly short ribs, extremely short limbs, and polydactyly. These include the perinatal lethal short-rib polydactyly syndromes (SRPS) and the less severe asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD), Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome, and cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED) phenotypes. To identify new genes and define the spectrum of mutations in the skeletal ciliopathies, we analyzed 152 unrelated families with SRPS, ATD, and EVC. Causal variants were discovered in 14 genes in 120 families, including one newly associated gene and two genes previously associated with other ciliopathies. These three genes encode components of three different ciliary complexes; FUZ, which encodes a planar cell polarity complex molecule; TRAF3IP1, which encodes an anterograde ciliary transport protein; and LBR, which encodes a nuclear membrane protein with sterol reductase activity. The results established the molecular basis of SRPS type IV, in which mutations were identified in four different ciliary genes. The data provide systematic insight regarding the genotypes associated with a large cohort of these genetically heterogeneous phenotypes and identified new ciliary components required for normal skeletal development.

Genes and molecular pathways underpinning ciliopathies

Motile and non-motile (primary) cilia are nearly ubiquitous cellular organelles. The dysfunction of cilia causes diseases known as ciliopathies. The number of reported ciliopathies (currently 35) is increasing, as is the number of established (187) and candidate (241) ciliopathy-associated genes. The characterization of ciliopathy-associated proteins and phenotypes has improved our knowledge of ciliary functions. In particular, investigating ciliopathies has helped us to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the cilium-associated basal body functions in early ciliogenesis, as well as how the transition zone functions in ciliary gating, and how intraflagellar transport enables cargo trafficking and signalling. Both basic biological and clinical studies are uncovering novel ciliopathies and the ciliary proteins involved. The assignment of these proteins to different ciliary structures, processes and ciliopathy subclasses (first order and second order) provides insights into how this versatile organelle is built, compartmentalized and functions in diverse ways that are essential for human health.

An essential role of intestinal cell kinase in lung development is linked to the perinatal lethality of human ECO syndrome

Human endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia (ECO) syndrome, caused by the loss-of-function mutation R272Q in the intestinal cell kinase (ICK) gene, is a neonatal-lethal developmental disorder. To elucidate the molecular basis of ECO syndrome, we constructed an Ick R272Q knock-in mouse model that recapitulates ECO pathological phenotypes. Newborns bearing Ick R272Q homozygous mutations die at birth due to respiratory distress. Ick mutant lungs exhibit not only impaired branching morphogenesis associated with reduced mesenchymal proliferation but also significant airspace deficiency in primitive alveoli concomitant with abnormal interstitial mesenchymal differentiation. ICK dysfunction induces elongated primary cilia and perturbs ciliary Hedgehog signaling and autophagy during lung sacculation. Our study identifies an essential role for ICK in lung development and advances the mechanistic understanding of ECO syndrome.

Ick Ciliary Kinase Is Essential for Planar Cell Polarity Formation in Inner Ear Hair Cells and Hearing Function

Cellular asymmetries play crucial roles in development and organ function. The planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathway is involved in the establishment of cellular asymmetry within the plane of a cell sheet. Inner ear sensory hair cells (HCs), which have several rows of staircase-like stereocilia and one kinocilium located at the vertex of the stereocilia protruding from the apical surface of each HC, exhibit a typical form of PCP. Although connections between cilia and PCP signaling in vertebrate development have been reported, their precise nature is not well understood. During inner ear development, several ciliary proteins are known to play a role in PCP formation. In the current study, we investigated a functional role for intestinal cell kinase (Ick), which regulates intraflagellar transport (IFT) at the tip of cilia, in the mouse inner ear. A lack of Ick in the developing inner ear resulted in PCP defects in the cochlea, including misorientation or misshaping of stereocilia and aberrant localization of the kinocilium and basal body in the apical and middle turns, leading to auditory dysfunction. We also observed abnormal ciliary localization of Ift88 in both HCs and supporting cells. Together, our results show that Ick ciliary kinase is essential for PCP formation in inner ear HCs, suggesting that ciliary transport regulation is important for PCP signaling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cochlea in the inner ear is the hearing organ. Planar cell polarity (PCP) in hair cells (HCs) in the cochlea is essential for mechanotransduction and refers to the asymmetric structure consisting of stereociliary bundles and the kinocilium on the apical surface of the cell body. We reported previously that a ciliary kinase, Ick, regulates intraflagellar transport (IFT). Here, we found that loss of Ick leads to abnormal localization of the IFT component in kinocilia, PCP defects in HCs, and hearing dysfunction. Our study defines the association of ciliary transport regulation with PCP formation in HCs and hearing function.