GSE184520
Iron accumulation and changes of cellular organelles in WDR45 mutant fibroblasts
Iron overload in the brain, defined as excess stores of iron, is known to be related to neurological disorder. Among neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, we reported a specific point mutation, 977-1G>A in WDR45, showing iron accumulation in the brain, and autophagy defects in the fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated whether fibroblasts with mutated WDR45 accumulated iron, and other effects on cellular organelles. We first identified the main location of iron accumulation in the mutant fibroblasts and then investigated the effects of this accumulation on other organelles, including lipid droplets, mitochondria, and lysosomes. Ultrastructure analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy showed structural changes in the organelles. Increased numbers of lipid droplets, fragmented mitochondria, and increased lysosomal vesicles with functional disorder due to WDR45 deficiency were observed. The majority of iron accumulation occurred in the lysosomal vesicles, according to correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). These changes were related to defects in autophagy and defective protein and organelle turnover. Gene expression profiling analysis also showed significant changes in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and autophagy-related genes. Those data suggested that functional and structural changes caused impaired lipid metabolism, mitochondrial disorder, and unbalanced autophagy fluxes, due to iron overload. Overall design: The transcriptomic profiles of patient derived WDR45 mutant fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts.