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Trisomy 21 Represses Cilia Formation and Function

Domenico F Galati1, Kelly D Sullivan2, Andrew T Pham1

  • 1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Developmental Cell
|August 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) disrupts cilia formation due to increased Pericentrin protein levels. This leads to ciliopathy-like defects by impairing protein transport to cellular structures.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Trisomy 21 (T21) is the most common chromosomal disorder, associated with diverse abnormalities.
  • Cellular mechanisms underlying T21 are not fully understood.
  • Clinical similarities exist between T21 and ciliopathies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the cellular basis of T21-associated defects.
  • Determine the role of cilia in T21 pathogenesis.
  • Identify molecular players involved in T21-induced cellular dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cilia formation and signaling in T21 cells.
  • Quantification of Pericentrin expression and localization.
  • Assessment of protein trafficking to centrosomes and cilia.
  • Utilized cell culture models and molecular biology techniques.

Main Results:

  • Trisomy 21 disrupts cilia formation and signaling.
  • Increased Pericentrin expression, encoded on chromosome 21, causes these cilia defects.
  • Pericentrin accumulation at centrosomes and cytoplasm impairs trafficking of key proteins like IFT20 and Smoothened.
  • Defective protein transport affects centrosome and cilia function.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated Pericentrin dosage in T21 is sufficient to cause cilia defects.
  • Impaired intracellular trafficking underlies ciliopathy-like phenotypes in T21.
  • Understanding these mechanisms may reveal therapeutic targets for T21-related disorders.
Keywords:
Down syndromePericentrinSonic hedgehogTrisomy 21centrosomeciliatrafficking

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