Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) causes renal failure due to progressive tubular cystic expansion. Mutations of PKD1 are responsible for 85% of ADPKD (autosomal dominant PKD), and the gene product (polycystin-1, PC1) is a large complex protein. Polycystin-1 interacts with numerous proteins and is found in cilia, the junctional complex and at the basal surface. Abnormalities in PKD include alterations in cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions contributing to loss of normal tubule structure. The C terminus of PC1 interacts with G proteins, and we have identified binding of Ga12, but not Ga13 to the PC1 C terminus. Ga12 is also found in the epithelial cell junctional complex where it regulates permeability and cell-cell interactions. Preliminary studies reveal that cell attachment and migration on collagen-1 are regulated by Ga12 and a2b1 integrins, and activating Ga12 leads to cyst formation in tubulogenesis assays. In MDCK cells over expressing full length PC1, increased tubulogenesis is blocked by thrombin activation of endogenous Ga12 and leads to cyst formation. In a novel assay of activated Ga12, increasing or decreasing PC1 levels in MDCK cells significantly affects Ga12 activation. We hypothesize that PC1 regulates Ga12 and integrins to modulate cell matrix interactions, cell-cell adhesion and cell migration essential for normal tubule development. These studies will colocalize Ga12, integrins and PC1 in cultured renal epithelial cells and mouse kidney, and will identify the macromolecular complex through immunoprecipitation studies and mass spectrometry (Aim 1). Ga12 regulation of cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix interaction and cell migration via integrins will be explored in Aim 2, and the role of PC1 in these signaling pathways will be elucidated in cell culture models.
In Aim 3, the effect of PC1 on regulating Ga12/integrin signaling in tubulogenesis assays will be used to identify the role of these pathways in tubule development. The mechanisms leading to cyst development in vivo will be explored using a2 integrin knockout mice, PC1 null heterozyotes and gGT-Cre/QLa12 mice.

Public Health Relevance

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) causes renal failure due to progressive tubular cystic expansion. Normal kidney development is complex and requires coordinated events (signals) that regulate cell interactions with neighboring cells and the underlying support. In PKD, these signals are altered and lead to cyst formation. These studies will reveal new treatment strategies to correct these abnormal signals in PKD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01DK080179-03
Application #
7899788
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2008-08-20
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$157,700
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
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Yu, Wanfeng; Beaudry, Sarah; Negoro, Hideyuki et al. (2012) H2O2 activates G protein, * 12 to disrupt the junctional complex and enhance ischemia reperfusion injury. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:6680-5
Kong, Tianqing; Xu, Daosong; Tran, Mei et al. (2010) Regulation of integrin expression by G?12: An additional potential mechanism modulating cell attachment. Cell Adh Migr 4:372-6
Kong, Tianqing; Xu, Daosong; Yu, Wanfeng et al. (2009) G alpha 12 inhibits alpha2 beta1 integrin-mediated Madin-Darby canine kidney cell attachment and migration on collagen-I and blocks tubulogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 20:4596-610