Fryl deficiency is associated with defective kidney development and function in mice

FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene located on chromosome 5 is a paralog of FRY microtubule binding protein ( Fry) in vertebrates. It encodes a protein with unknown functions. Fryl gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. Although there are several reports on functions of Fry gene, functions of Fryl gene remain unclear. A mouse line containing null mutation in Fryl gene by gene trapping was produced in this study for the first time. The survival and growth of Fryl^-/- mice were observed. Fryl gene expression levels in mouse tissues were determined and histopathologic analyses were conducted. Most Fryl^-/- mice died soon after birth. Rare Fryl^-/- survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl^-/- survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. No abnormal histopathologic lesion was apparent in full-term embryo or adult tissues except the kidney. Abnormal lining cell layer detachments from walls of collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys were apparent in Fryl^-/- neonates and full-term embryos. Fryl gene was expressed in renal tubular tissues including the glomeruli and convoluted and collecting tubules. This indicates that defects in tubular systems are associated with Fryl functions and death of Fryl^-/- neonates. Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. This is the first report of in vivo Fryl gene functions. Impact statement FRY like transcription coactivator ( Fryl) gene is conserved in various species ranging from eukaryotes to human. It expresses a protein with unknown function. We generated a Fryl gene mutant mouse line and found that most homozygous mice died soon after their birth. Rare Fryl^-/- survivors showed growth retardation with significantly lower body weight compared to their littermate controls. Although they could breed, more than half of Fryl^-/- survivors died of hydronephrosis before age 1. Full-term mutant embryos showed abnormal collecting and convoluted tubules in kidneys where Fryl gene was expressed. Collectively, these results indicate that Fryl protein is required for normal development and functional maintenance of kidney in mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on in vivo Fryl gene functions.