Phosphorylation of MIF by PIP4K2a is necessary for cilia biogenesis

Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that play important roles in development and tissue homeostasis. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has long been recognized as a secreted cytokine in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cancer and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Unlike other cytokines, unique functional characteristics of intracellular MIF have emerged. In this study, we show that MIF is localized and formed a ring like structure at the proximal end of centrioles, where it regulates cilia biogenesis through affecting 1) the recruitment of TTBK2 to basal body and the removal of CP110 from mother centriole, 2) the accumulation of CEP290 at centriolar satellites, and 3) the trafficking of intraflagellar transport (IFT) related proteins. We also show that MIF functions as a novel transcriptional factor to regulate the expression of genes related to ciliogenesis via binding on the promotors of those genes. MIF also binds chromatin and regulates transcription of genes involved in diverse homeostatic signaling pathways. We identify phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase type 2 alpha (PIP4K2a) as an upstream regulator of MIF, which interacts with and phosphorylates MIF at S91 to increase its interaction with 14-3-3ζ, resulting in its nuclear translocation and transcription regulation. This study suggests that MIF is a key player in cilia biogenesis and a novel transcriptional regulator in homeostasis, which forward our understanding of how MIF is able to carry out several nonoverlapping functions.