Kif26b, a kinesin family gene, regulates adhesion of the embryonic kidney mesenchyme.
The kidney develops through reciprocal interactions between two precursor tissues: the metanephric mesenchyme and the ureteric bud. We previously demonstrated that the zinc finger protein Sall1 is essential for ureteric bud attraction toward the mesenchyme. Here, we show that Kif26b, a kinesin family gene, is a downstream target of Sall1 and that disruption of this gene causes kidney agenesis because of impaired ureteric bud attraction. In the Kif26b-null metanephros, compact adhesion between mesenchymal cells adjacent to the ureteric buds and the polarized distribution of integrin alpha8 were impaired, resulting in failed maintenance of Gdnf, a critical ureteric bud attractant. Overexpression of Kif26b in vitro caused increased cell adhesion through interactions with nonmuscle myosin. Thus, Kif26b is essential for kidney development because it regulates the adhesion of mesenchymal cells in contact with ureteric buds.
Uchiyama
Yukako
Y
Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
Sakaguchi
Masaji
M
Terabayashi
Takeshi
T
Inenaga
Toshiaki
T
Inoue
Shuji
S
Kobayashi
Chiyoko
C
Oshima
Naoko
N
Kiyonari
Hiroshi
H
Nakagata
Naomi
N
Sato
Yuya
Y
Sekiguchi
Kiyotoshi
K
Miki
Hiroaki
H
Araki
Eiichi
E
Fujimura
Sayoko
S
Tanaka
Satomi S
SS
Nishinakamura
Ryuichi
R
D000818:Animals; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D016547:Kinesins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014162:Transfection
D017931:DNA Primers; C487946:KIF26B protein, mouse; D016547:Kinesins