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Du X, Wang C, Liu J, Yu M, Ju H, Xue S, Li Y, Liu J, Dai R, Chen J, Zhai Y, Rao J, Wang X, Sun Y, Sun L, Wu X, Xu H, Shen Q. GEN1 as a risk factor for human congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:41. [PMID: 38654324 PMCID: PMC11041010 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00606-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are prevalent birth defects. Although pathogenic CAKUT genes are known, they are insufficient to reveal the causes for all patients. Our previous studies indicated GEN1 as a pathogenic gene of CAKUT in mice, and this study further investigated the correlation between GEN1 and human CAKUT. METHODS In this study, DNA from 910 individuals with CAKUT was collected; 26 GEN1 rare variants were identified, and two GEN1 (missense) variants in a non-CAKUT group were found. Mainly due to the stability results of the predicted mutant on the website, in vitro, 10 variants (eight CAKUT, two non-CAKUT) were selected to verify mutant protein stability. In addition, mainly based on the division of the mutation site located in the functional region of the GEN1 protein, 8 variants (six CAKUT, two non-CAKUT) were selected to verify enzymatic hydrolysis, and the splice variant GEN1 (c.1071 + 3(IVS10) A > G) was selected to verify shear ability. Based on the results of in vitro experiments and higher frequency, three sites with the most significant functional change were selected to build mouse models. RESULTS Protein stability changed in six variants in the CAKUT group. Based on electrophoretic mobility shift assay of eight variants (six CAKUT, two non-CAKUT), the enzymatic hydrolysis and DNA-binding abilities of mutant proteins were impaired in the CAKUT group. The most serious functional damage was observed in the Gen1 variant that produced a truncated protein. A mini-gene splicing assay showed that the variant GEN1 (c.1071 + 3(IVS10) A > G) in the CAKUT group significantly affected splicing function. An abnormal exon10 was detected in the mini-gene splicing assay. Point-mutant mouse strains were constructed (Gen1: c.1068 + 3 A > G, p.R400X, and p.T105R) based on the variant frequency in the CAKUT group and functional impairment in vitro study and CAKUT phenotypes were replicated in each. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings indicated GEN1 as a risk factor for human CAKUT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanjin Du
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jialu Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixin Ju
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Xue
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaxin Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaojiao Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Rufeng Dai
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Zhai
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Rao
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Yubo Sun
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, Fudan University, 200433, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and National Center for International Research of Development and Disease, Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine, Fudan University, 200433, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, 201102, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Kidney Development and Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 201102, Shanghai, China.
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Szoszkiewicz A, Bukowska-Olech E, Jamsheer A. Molecular landscape of congenital vertebral malformations: recent discoveries and future directions. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:32. [PMID: 38291488 PMCID: PMC10829358 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Vertebral malformations (VMs) pose a significant global health problem, causing chronic pain and disability. Vertebral defects occur as isolated conditions or within the spectrum of various congenital disorders, such as Klippel-Feil syndrome, congenital scoliosis, spondylocostal dysostosis, sacral agenesis, and neural tube defects. Although both genetic abnormalities and environmental factors can contribute to abnormal vertebral development, our knowledge on molecular mechanisms of numerous VMs is still limited. Furthermore, there is a lack of resource that consolidates the current knowledge in this field. In this pioneering review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the latest research on the molecular basis of VMs and the association of the VMs-related causative genes with bone developmental signaling pathways. Our study identifies 118 genes linked to VMs, with 98 genes involved in biological pathways crucial for the formation of the vertebral column. Overall, the review summarizes the current knowledge on VM genetics, and provides new insights into potential involvement of biological pathways in VM pathogenesis. We also present an overview of available data regarding the role of epigenetic and environmental factors in VMs. We identify areas where knowledge is lacking, such as precise molecular mechanisms in which specific genes contribute to the development of VMs. Finally, we propose future research avenues that could address knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szoszkiewicz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Ewelina Bukowska-Olech
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksander Jamsheer
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
- Centers for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Dąbrowskiego 77A, 60-529, Poznan, Poland.
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Feng L, Shu HP, Sun LL, Tu YC, Liao QQ, Yao LJ. Role of the SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway in renal pathophysiology and various renal diseases. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1226341. [PMID: 37497439 PMCID: PMC10366692 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1226341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SLIT ligand and its receptor ROBO were initially recognized for their role in axon guidance in central nervous system development. In recent years, as research has advanced, the role of the SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway has gradually expanded from axonal repulsion to cell migration, tumor development, angiogenesis, and bone metabolism. As a secreted protein, SLIT regulates various pathophysiological processes in the kidney, such as proinflammatory responses and fibrosis progression. Many studies have shown that SLIT-ROBO is extensively involved in various aspects of kidney development and maintenance of structure and function. The SLIT-ROBO signaling pathway also plays an important role in different types of kidney disease. This article reviews the advances in the study of the SLIT-ROBO pathway in various renal pathophysiological and kidney disorders and proposes new directions for further research in this field.
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