RAP1-mediated MEK/ERK pathway defects in Kabuki syndrome

Nina Bögershausen, I. Chun Tsai, Esther Pohl, Pelin Ozlem Simsek Kiper, Filippo Beleggia, E. Ferda Percin, Katharina Keupp, Angela Matchan, Esther Milz, Yasemin Alanay, Hölya Kayserili, Yicheng Liu, Siddharth Banka, Andrea Kranz, Martin Zenker, Dagmar Wieczorek, Nursel Elcioglu, Paolo Prontera, Stanislas Lyonnet, Thomas MeitingerA. Francis Stewart, Dian Donnai, Tim M. Strom, Koray Boduroglu, Gökhan Yigit, Yun Li, Elias Nicholas Katsanis, Bernd Wollnik*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

The genetic disorder Kabuki syndrome (KS) is characterized by developmental delay and congenital anomalies. Dominant mutations in the chromatin regulators lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) (also known as MLL2) and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) underlie the majority of cases. Although the functions of these chromatin-modifying proteins have been studied extensively, the physiological systems regulated by them are largely unknown. Using wholeexome sequencing, we identified a mutation in RAP1A that was converted to homozygosity as the result of uniparental isodisomy (UPD) in a patient with KS and a de novo, dominant mutation in RAP1B in a second individual with a KS-like phenotype. We elucidated a genetic and functional interaction between the respective KS-Associated genes and their products in zebrafish models and patient cell lines. Specifically, we determined that dysfunction of known KS genes and the genes identified in this study results in aberrant MEK/ERK signaling as well as disruption of F-Actin polymerization and cell intercalation. Moreover, these phenotypes could be rescued in zebrafish models by rebalancing MEK/ERK signaling via administration of small molecule inhibitors of MEK. Taken together, our studies suggest that the KS pathophysiology overlaps with the RASopathies and provide a potential direction for treatment design.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3585-3599
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume125
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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