Elucidation of megalin/LRP2-dependent endocytic transport processes in the larval zebrafish pronephros

J Cell Sci. 2006 May 15;119(Pt 10):2127-37. doi: 10.1242/jcs.02954. Epub 2006 Apr 25.

Abstract

Megalin/LRP2 is an endocytic receptor in the proximal tubules of the mammalian kidney that plays a central role in the clearance of metabolites from the glomerular filtrate. To establish a genetic model system for elucidation of molecular components of this retrieval pathway, we characterized orthologous transport processes in the zebrafish. We show that expression of megalin/LRP2 and its co-receptor cubilin is conserved in the larval zebrafish pronephros and demarcates a segment of the pronephric duct that is active in clearance of tracer from the ultrafiltrate. Knock-down of megalin/LRP2 causes lack of Rab4-positive endosomes in the proximal pronephric duct epithelium and abrogates apical endocytosis. Similarly, knock-down of the megalin/LRP2 adaptor Disabled 2 also blocks renal clearance processes. These results demonstrate the conservation of the megalin/LRP2 retrieval pathway between the larval zebrafish pronephros and the mammalian kidney and set the stage for dissection of the renal endocytic machinery in a simple model organism. Using this model system, we provide first genetic evidence that renal tubular endocytosis and formation of endosomes is a ligand-induced process that crucially depends on megalin/LRP2 activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Endocytosis
  • Kidney / blood supply
  • Kidney / embryology*
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Larva
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2