Glis2 is an early effector of polycystin signaling and a target for therapy in polycystic kidney disease

Nat Commun. 2024 May 1;15(1):3698. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-48025-6.

Abstract

Mouse models of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) show that intact primary cilia are required for cyst growth following the inactivation of polycystin-1. The signaling pathways underlying this process, termed cilia-dependent cyst activation (CDCA), remain unknown. Using translating ribosome affinity purification RNASeq on mouse kidneys with polycystin-1 and cilia inactivation before cyst formation, we identify the differential 'CDCA pattern' translatome specifically dysregulated in kidney tubule cells destined to form cysts. From this, Glis2 emerges as a candidate functional effector of polycystin signaling and CDCA. In vitro changes in Glis2 expression mirror the polycystin- and cilia-dependent changes observed in kidney tissue, validating Glis2 as a cell culture-based indicator of polycystin function related to cyst formation. Inactivation of Glis2 suppresses polycystic kidney disease in mouse models of ADPKD, and pharmacological targeting of Glis2 with antisense oligonucleotides slows disease progression. Glis2 transcript and protein is a functional target of CDCA and a potential therapeutic target for treating ADPKD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cilia* / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / metabolism
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / drug therapy
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / genetics
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / metabolism
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / pathology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • TRPP Cation Channels* / genetics
  • TRPP Cation Channels* / metabolism

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Gli5 protein, mouse