Mechanistic studies in Drosophila and chicken give new insights into functions of DVL1 in dominant Robinow syndrome.

The study of rare genetic diseases provides valuable insights into human gene function. The autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive forms of Robinow syndrome are genetically heterogeneous, and the common theme is that all the mutations lie in genes in Wnt signaling pathways. Cases diagnosed with Robinow syndrome do survive to adulthood with distinct skeletal phenotypes, including limb shortening and craniofacial abnormalities. Here, we focus on mutations in dishevelled 1 (DVL1), an intracellular adaptor protein that is required for both canonical (ß-catenin-dependent) or non-canonical (requiring small GTPases and JNK) Wnt signaling. We expressed human wild-type DVL1 or DVL1 variants alongside the endogenous genome of chicken and Drosophila. This design is strategically suited to test for functional differences between mutant and wild-type human proteins in relevant developmental contexts. The expression of variant forms of DVL1 produced a major disorganization of cartilage and Drosophila wing morphology compared to expression of wild-type DVL1. Moreover, the variants caused a loss of canonical and gain of non-canonical Wnt signaling in several assays. Our data point to future therapies that might correct the levels of Wnt signaling, thus improving skeletal growth.

Robinow syndrome skeletal phenotypes caused by the WNT5AC83S variant are due to dominant interference with chondrogenesis.

Heterozygous missense mutations in several genes in the WNT5A signaling pathway cause autosomal dominant Robinow syndrome 1 (DRS1). Our objective was to clarify the functional impact of a missense mutation in WNT5A on the skeleton, one of the main affected tissues in RS. We delivered avian replication competent retroviruses (RCAS) containing human wild-type WNT5A (wtWNT5A), WNT5AC83S variant or GFP/AlkPO4 control genes to the chicken embryo limb. Strikingly, WNT5AC83S consistently caused a delay in ossification and bones were more than 50% shorter and 200% wider than controls. In contrast, bone dimensions in wtWNT5A limbs were slightly affected (20% shorter, 25% wider) but ossification occurred on schedule. The dysmorphology of bones was established during cartilage differentiation. Instead of stereotypical stacking of chondrocytes, the WNT5AC83S-infected cartilage was composed of randomly oriented chondrocytes and that had diffuse, rather than concentrated Prickle staining, both signs of disrupted planar cell polarity (PCP) mechanisms. Biochemical assays revealed that C83S variant was able to activate the Jun N-terminal kinase-PCP pathway similar to wtWNT5A; however, the activity of the variant ligand was influenced by receptor availability. Unexpectedly, the C83S change caused a reduction in the amount of protein being synthesized and secreted, compared to wtWNT5A. Thus, in the chicken and human, RS phenotypes are produced from the C83S mutation, even though the variant protein is less abundant than wtWNT5A. We conclude the variant protein has dominant-negative effects on chondrogenesis leading to limb abnormalities.

Derivation of a continuous myogenic cell culture from an embryo of common killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus.

The common killifish or mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) is an estuarine teleost increasingly used in comparative physiology, toxicology and embryology. Their ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions and ease of maintenance has made them popular aquatic research organisms. Scientific advances with most popular model organisms have been assisted with the availability of continuous cell lines; however, cell lines from F. heteroclitus appear to be unavailable. The development of a killifish cell line, KFE-5, derived from the mid trunk region of a late stage embryo is described here. KFE-5 grows well in Leibovitz's L-15 media with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). This cell line has been passaged over 60 times in a span of three years, and cells at various passages have been successfully cryopreserved and thawed. The cells are mostly fibroblastic but contain myogenic cells that differentiate into mono-, bi- and multi-nucleated striated myocytes. Immunofluorescence detection of muscle specific antigens such as α-actinin, desmin, and myosin confirms KFE-5 as a myogenic cell line. KFE-5 has a temperature preference for 26-28°C and has been shown to withstand temperatures up to 37°C. The cell line responds to chemical signals including growth factors, hormones and extracellular matrix components. KFE-5 could thus be useful not only for mummichog's thermobiology but also for studies in fish muscle physiology and development.