CaMK-II is a PKD2 target that promotes pronephric kidney development and stabilizes cilia

Development. 2011 Aug;138(16):3387-97. doi: 10.1242/dev.066340. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

Intracellular Ca²⁺ signals influence gastrulation, neurogenesis and organogenesis through pathways that are still being defined. One potential Ca²⁺ mediator of many of these morphogenic processes is CaMK-II, a conserved calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Prolonged Ca²⁺ stimulation converts CaMK-II into an activated state that, in the zebrafish, is detected in the forebrain, ear and kidney. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has been linked to mutations in the Ca²⁺-conducting TRP family member PKD2, the suppression of which in vertebrate model organisms results in kidney cysts. Both PKD2-deficient and CaMK-II-deficient zebrafish embryos fail to form pronephric ducts properly, and exhibit anterior cysts and destabilized cloacal cilia. PKD2 suppression inactivates CaMK-II in pronephric cells and cilia, whereas constitutively active CaMK-II restores pronephric duct formation in pkd2 morphants. PKD2 and CaMK-II deficiencies are synergistic, supporting their existence in the same genetic pathway. We conclude that CaMK-II is a crucial effector of PKD2 Ca²⁺ that both promotes morphogenesis of the pronephric kidney and stabilizes primary cloacal cilia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / genetics
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cilia / enzymology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / enzymology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / embryology*
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / enzymology*
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / deficiency
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • PKD2 protein, zebrafish
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2