A sonic hedgehog missense mutation associated with holoprosencephaly causes defective binding to GAS1.
Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a common birth defect predominantly affecting the forebrain and face and has been linked to mutations in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene. HPE is genetically heterogeneous, and clinical presentation represents a spectrum of phenotypes. We have previously shown that Gas1 encodes a cell-autonomous Hedgehog signaling enhancer. Combining cell surface binding, in vitro activity, and explant culture assays, we provide evidence that SHH contains a previously unknown unique binding surface for its interaction with GAS1 and that this surface is also important for maximal signaling activity. Within this surface, the Asn-115 residue of human SHH has been documented to associate with HPE when mutated to lysine (N115K). We provide evidence that HPE associated with this mutation can be mechanistically explained by a severely reduced binding of SHH to GAS1, and we predict a similar result if a mutation were to occur at Tyr-80. Our data should encourage future searches for mutations in GAS1 as possible modifiers contributing to the wide spectrum of HPE.
Martinelli
David C
DC
Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
Fan
Chen-Ming
CM
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D019556:COS Cells; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005552:Forelimb / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016142:Holoprosencephaly / Q000235:genetics*; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; C501180:Gas1 protein, mouse; C498520:Gli1 protein, mouse; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C465570:Shh protein, mouse; D000071676:Zinc Finger Protein GLI1; D008156:Luciferases