RESUMEN
Rab35 (Ras-associated binding protein) is a small GTPase that regulates endosomal membrane trafficking and functions in cell polarity, cytokinesis, and growth factor signaling. Altered Rab35 function contributes to progression of glioblastoma, defects in primary cilia formation, and altered cytokinesis. Here, we report a pediatric patient with global developmental delay, hydrocephalus, a Dandy-Walker malformation, axial hypotonia with peripheral hypertonia, visual problems, and conductive hearing impairment. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous missense variant in the GTPase fold of RAB35 (c.80G>A; p.R27H) as the most likely candidate. Functional analysis of the R27H-Rab35 variant protein revealed enhanced interaction with its guanine-nucleotide exchange factor, DENND1A and decreased interaction with a known effector, MICAL1, indicating that the protein is in an inactive conformation. Cellular expression of the variant drives the activation of Arf6, a small GTPase under negative regulatory control of Rab35. Importantly, variant expression leads to delayed cytokinesis and altered length, number, and Arl13b composition of primary cilia, known factors in neurodevelopmental disease. Our findings provide evidence of altered Rab35 function as a causative factor of a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Asunto(s)
Mutación Missense , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rab , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Factor 6 de Ribosilación del ADP , Factores de Ribosilacion-ADP/genética , Factores de Ribosilacion-ADP/metabolismo , Línea Celular , Cilios/metabolismo , Cilios/genética , Cilios/patología , Citocinesis/genética , Factores de Intercambio de Guanina Nucleótido/genética , Factores de Intercambio de Guanina Nucleótido/metabolismo , Mutación con Pérdida de Función , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo/genética , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo/metabolismo , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo/patología , Linaje , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rab/genética , Proteínas de Unión al GTP rab/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Estructura Terciaria de ProteínaRESUMEN
Lysosomes help maintain cellular proteostasis, and defects in lysosomal positioning and function can cause disease, including neurodegenerative disorders. The spatiotemporal distribution of lysosomes is regulated by small GTPases including Rabs, which are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). DENN domain proteins are the largest family of Rab GEFs. Using a cell-based assay, we screened DENND6A, a member of the DENN domain protein family against all known Rabs and identified it as a potential GEF for 20 Rabs, including Rab34. Here, we demonstrate that DENND6A activates Rab34, which recruits a RILP/dynein complex to lysosomes, promoting lysosome retrograde transport. Further, we identify DENND6A as an effector of Arl8b, a major regulatory GTPase on lysosomes. We demonstrate that Arl8b recruits DENND6A to peripheral lysosomes to activate Rab34 and initiate retrograde transport, regulating nutrient-dependent lysosomal juxtanuclear repositioning. Loss of DENND6A impairs autophagic flux. Our findings support a model whereby Arl8b/DENND6A/Rab34-dependent lysosomal retrograde trafficking controls autophagy.