Human IFT52 mutations uncover a novel role for the protein in microtubule dynamics and centrosome cohesion.

Mutations in genes encoding components of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complexes have previously been associated with a spectrum of diseases collectively termed ciliopathies. Ciliopathies relate to defects in the formation or function of the cilium, a sensory or motile organelle present on the surface of most cell types. IFT52 is a key component of the IFT-B complex and ensures the interaction of the two subcomplexes, IFT-B1 and IFT-B2. Here, we report novel IFT52 biallelic mutations in cases with a short-rib thoracic dysplasia (SRTD) or a congenital anomaly of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Combining in vitro and in vivo studies in zebrafish, we showed that SRTD-associated missense mutation impairs IFT-B complex assembly and IFT-B2 ciliary localization, resulting in decreased cilia length. In comparison, CAKUT-associated missense mutation has a mild pathogenicity, thus explaining the lack of skeletal defects in CAKUT case. In parallel, we demonstrated that the previously reported homozygous nonsense IFT52 mutation associated with Sensenbrenner syndrome [Girisha et al. (2016) A homozygous nonsense variant in IFT52 is associated with a human skeletal ciliopathy. Clin. Genet., 90, 536-539] leads to exon skipping and results in a partially functional protein. Finally, our work uncovered a novel role for IFT52 in microtubule network regulation. We showed that IFT52 interacts and partially co-localized with centrin at the distal end of centrioles where it is involved in its recruitment and/or maintenance. Alteration of this function likely contributes to centriole splitting observed in Ift52-/- cells. Altogether, our findings allow a better comprehensive genotype-phenotype correlation among IFT52-related cases and revealed a novel, extra-ciliary role for IFT52, i.e. disruption may contribute to pathophysiological mechanisms.

Fibroblasts derived from patients with opsismodysplasia display SHIP2-specific cell migration and adhesion defects.

The SH2 domain containing inositol phosphatase 2 (SHIP2) dephosphorylates PI(3,4,5)P3 to generate PI(3,4)P2, a lipid involved in the control of cell migration and adhesion. The INPPL1 gene that encodes SHIP2 has been found to be mutated in several cases of opsismodysplasia (OPS), a rare autosomal recessive chondrodysplasia characterized by growth plate defects and delayed bone maturation. Reported mutations often result in premature stop codons or missense mutations in SHIP2 catalytic domain. SHIP2 biochemical properties are known from studies in cancer cells; its role in endochondral ossification is unknown. Here, we report two novel mutations in the INPPL1 gene and show that cell migration is very much decreased in fibroblasts derived from three OPS patients as compared with control individuals. In contrast, cell adhesion on fibronectin is increased in OPS fibroblasts. An inhibitory effect on migration was also observed when normal fibroblasts were incubated in the presence of a SHIP2 competitive inhibitor. We conclude that both migration and adhesion are very much disrupted in OPS-derived fibroblasts. It is suggested that signaling events linked to migration and particularly to adhesion, which are lost in OPS patients, would prevent normal endochondral ossification.