Mutations in 1-actinin-4 (Actn4), an actin crosslinking protein encoded by the human ACTN4 gene, cause an autosomal dominant form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). These mutations localize to the actin- binding domain (ABD) of this protein and cause a ~10-fold increase in its actin-binding activity, leading to altered dynamics and mechanics of in vitro actin cytoskeletal networks. We have developed two mouse models: an Actn4 knockout mouse and a disease-associated K255E point mutation knockin mouse. Work done in the last period of this project suggests that FSGS-associated ACTN4 mutations alter the interaction between the two calponin homology domains that comprise Actn4's ABD, exposing an otherwise hidden actin binding sequence (ABS1). Based on biochemical studies and evolutionary considerations, our working hypothesis is that this ABS1 domain of Actn4 that mediates the pathogenic increase in actin-binding in the presence of disease mutations must also have a normal role in glomerular physiology. A main goal in this application is to define how and when wild-type Actn4 adopts a conformation similar to that conferred by disease-causing mutations. Specifically, we aim to: 1. Define the regulation of the actin binding activity of Actn4. In the absence of disease-causing mutations, we hypothesize that exposure of ABS1 can be regulated by phosphorylation. We wish to define the significance of serine-159 and tyrosine-265 phosphorylation on Actn4 function. We will use forms of Actn4 that mimic phosphorylation to examine the properties of phosphorylated Actn4 and determine the dependence of these properties on ABS1. We will identify the specific kinases responsible for phosphorylation-dependent exposure of ABS1. 2. Define the relationship between Actn4-mediated in vitro cytoskeletal biophysics and the biophysical behavior of cells. Disease-causing mutations, or mutations that alter ABS1 of Actn4, change the strain hardening properties of actin networks and make these networks brittle. We will see if these alterations correlate with altered cell biomechanical properties. We will then test the effect of phosphomimetic and unphosphorylatable forms of Actn4 on these biophysical properties. We will examine the structures of the actin cytoskeleton to see if changes in vitro correlate with changes in cells. 3. Define the role of regulation of the ABD of Actn4 on the in vivo kidney. We will develop a series of mice transgenic for Actn4 BACs designed to determine the in vivo relevance of regulation of the Actn4 ABD. These will include transgenes with an inactivated ABS1 and transgenes altering phosphorylation sites. 4. Perform studies to understand the downstream effects of Actn4 mutations in regulating gene expression, based on gene expression profiling we have performed in podocytes from Actn4 KO and K255E knockin mice. We will examine the role of two specific upregulated genes, Dmpk and Gadd45b in mediating the downstream effects of Actn4 mutation and deletion.
Mutations in the human alpha-actinin-4 gene, ACTN4, cause kidney disease in humans. We are working to understand how the protein encoded by this gene works in the kidney, and how alterations in its function cause kidney disease. Better understanding how defects in this gene cause human disease will have significant and direct implications for understanding and ultimately treating common forms of renal failure and renal failure progression.
| Feng, Di; Notbohm, Jacob; Benjamin, Ava et al. (2018) Disease-causing mutation in ?-actinin-4 promotes podocyte detachment through maladaptation to periodic stretch. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:1517-1522 |
| Feng, Di; Steinke, Julia M; Krishnan, Ramaswamy et al. (2016) Functional Validation of an Alpha-Actinin-4 Mutation as a Potential Cause of an Aggressive Presentation of Adolescent Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: Implications for Genetic Testing. PLoS One 11:e0167467 |
| Ehrlicher, Allen J; Krishnan, Ramaswamy; Guo, Ming et al. (2015) Alpha-actinin binding kinetics modulate cellular dynamics and force generation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:6619-24 |
| Grgic, Ivica; Hofmeister, Andreas F; Genovese, Giulio et al. (2014) Discovery of new glomerular disease-relevant genes by translational profiling of podocytes in vivo. Kidney Int 86:1116-29 |
| Yao, Norman Y; Broedersz, Chase P; Depken, Martin et al. (2013) Stress-enhanced gelation: a dynamic nonlinearity of elasticity. Phys Rev Lett 110:018103 |
| Carrasquillo, Robert; Tian, Dequan; Krishna, Sneha et al. (2012) SNF8, a member of the ESCRT-II complex, interacts with TRPC6 and enhances its channel activity. BMC Cell Biol 13:33 |
| Wyss, Hans M; Henderson, Joel M; Byfield, Fitzroy J et al. (2011) Biophysical properties of normal and diseased renal glomeruli. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 300:C397-405 |
| Yao, Norman Y; Becker, Daniel J; Broedersz, Chase P et al. (2011) Nonlinear viscoelasticity of actin transiently cross-linked with mutant ?-actinin-4. J Mol Biol 411:1062-71 |
| Gu, Changkyu; Yaddanapudi, Suma; Weins, Astrid et al. (2010) Direct dynamin-actin interactions regulate the actin cytoskeleton. EMBO J 29:3593-606 |
| Broedersz, Chase P; Depken, Martin; Yao, Norman Y et al. (2010) Cross-link-governed dynamics of biopolymer networks. Phys Rev Lett 105:238101 |
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