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Published on: April 4, 2018
Functional analysis of disease-associated polymorphism LRP5.Q89R
Weiming Mao1, Robert J Wordinger, Abbot F Clark
1Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, TX, USA. Weiming.mao@unthsc.edu
Purpose:
The canonical wingless and Int1 (Wnt) signaling pathway plays key roles in multiple biologic events. The pathway co-receptor, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), is involved in the pathogenesis of retinal diseases and has been implicated in glaucoma. We studied whether a disease-associated polymorphism LRP5.Q89R, which is located in the second blade of the first β-propeller domain, directly alters Wnt signaling activity with cell-based assays.
Methods:
The LRP5.Q89R polymorphism was evaluated by transfection of HEK293T or GTM3 cells with expression vectors. LRP5 expression and interaction with the molecular chaperone mesoderm development (MESD) were determined by western immunoblotting and co-immunoprecipitation analyses. To compare membrane-associated LRP5 proteins, surface proteins were labeled with biotin and pulled down with avidin beads followed by western immunoblotting. TCF-reporter plasmid-based luciferase assays were used to determine whether LRP5.Q89R affects the canonical Wnt signaling, or has altered efficacy to suppression by Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1).
Results:
Cell-based assays showed that this polymorphism did not change protein expression, interaction with the molecular chaperone MESD, protein trafficking, Wnt signaling transduction, or its efficacy in DKK1-mediated inhibition.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that this specific polymorphism does not appear to alter the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Further studies of LRP5 polymorphisms are needed to elucidate their roles in various associated diseases.
Insights
The LRP5.Q89R polymorphism, linked to retinal diseases, does not affect the Wnt signaling pathway. Further research on LRP5 variations is needed to understand their role in disease.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- The canonical Wingless and Int1 (Wnt) signaling pathway is crucial for numerous biological processes.
- Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), a Wnt pathway co-receptor, is implicated in retinal disease pathogenesis, including glaucoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the disease-associated LRP5.Q89R polymorphism directly impacts Wnt signaling activity.
- To assess the effect of LRP5.Q89R on Wnt signaling transduction and its inhibition by Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1).
Main Methods:
- HEK293T and GTM3 cells were transfected with expression vectors for the LRP5.Q89R polymorphism.
- LRP5 expression, interaction with MESD, and membrane localization were analyzed using western immunoblotting and co-immunoprecipitation.
- TCF-reporter luciferase assays were employed to evaluate Wnt signaling activity and DKK-1 inhibition efficacy.
Main Results:
- The LRP5.Q89R polymorphism did not alter LRP5 protein expression or its interaction with the chaperone MESD.
- Cell-based assays demonstrated no significant changes in protein trafficking or Wnt signaling transduction.
- The efficacy of DKK-1-mediated inhibition of Wnt signaling remained unaffected by the LRP5.Q89R polymorphism.
Conclusions:
- The studied LRP5.Q89R polymorphism does not appear to modify the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.
- Further investigation into other LRP5 polymorphisms is warranted to clarify their contributions to associated diseases.
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