Association of crumbs homolog-2 with mTORC1 in developing podocyte

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 20;13(8):e0202400. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202400. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The evidence that gene mutations in the polarity determinant Crumbs homologs-2 (CRB2) cause congenital nephrotic syndrome suggests the functional importance of this gene product in podocyte development. Because another isoform, CRB3, was reported to repress the mechanistic/mammalian target of the rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, we examined the role of CRB2 function in developing podocytes in relation to mTORC1. In HEK-293 and MDCK cells constitutively expressing CRB2, we found that the protein localized to the apicolateral side of the cell plasma membrane and that this plasma membrane assembly required N-glycosylation. Confocal microscopy of the neonate mouse kidney revealed that both the tyrosine-phosphorylated form and non-phosphorylated form of CRB2 commence at the S-shaped body stage at the apicolateral side of podocyte precursor cells and move to foot processes in a capillary tuft pattern. The pattern of phosphorylated mTOR in developing podocytes was similar to that of CRB2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Additionally, the lack of a tyrosine phosphorylation site on CRB2 led to the reduced sensitivity of mTORC1 activation in response to energy starvation. CRB2 may play an important role in the mechanistic pathway of developing podocytes through tyrosine phosphorylation by associating with mTORC1 activation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / genetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Dogs
  • Glycosylation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Male
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / genetics
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • Podocytes / cytology
  • Podocytes / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • CRB2 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Crb2 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.