Increased activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 is associated with early embryonic lethality in Commd1 null mice
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
Authors: van de Sluis, Bart; Muller, Patricia; Duran, Karen; Chen, Amy; Groot, Arjan J.; Klomp, Leo W.; Liu, Paul P.; Wijmenga, Cisca
Abstract
OMMD1 (previously known as MURR1) belongs to a novel family of proteins termed the copper metabolism gene MURR1 domain (COMMD) family. The 10 COMMD family members are well conserved between vertebrates, but the functions of most of the COMMD proteins are unknown. We recently established that COMMD1 is associated with the hepatic copper overload disorder copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers. Recent in vitro studies indicate that COMMD1 has multiple functions, including sodium transport and NF-KB signaling. To elucidate the function of Commd1 in vivo, we generated homozygous Commd1 null (Commd1(-/-)) mice. Commd1(-/-) embryos died in utero between 9.5 and 10.5 days postcoiturn. (dpc), their development was generally retarded, and placenta vascularization was absent. Microarray analysis identified transcriptional upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) target genes in 9.5-dpc Commd1(-/-) embryos compared to normal embryos, a feature that was associated with increased Hif-1 alpha stability. Consistent with these observations, COMMD1 physically associates with HIF-1 alpha and inhibits HIF-1 alpha stability and HIF-1 transactivation in vitro. Thus, this study identifies COMMD1 as a novel regulator of HIF-1 activity and shows that Commd1 deficiency in mice leads to embryonic lethality associated with dysregulated placenta vascularization.
Epithelial Na+ Channel: Reciprocal Control by COMMD10 and Nedd4-2
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
Authors: Ware, Adam W.; Cheung, Tanya T.; Rasulov, Sahib; Burstein, Ezra; McDonald, Fiona J.
Abstract
Optimal function of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the distal nephron is key to the kidney's long-term control of salt homeostasis and blood pressure. Multiple pathways alter ENaC cell surface populations, including correct processing and trafficking in the secretory pathway to the cell surface, and retrieval from the cell surface through ubiquitination by the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and sorting in the endosomal system. Members of the Copper Metabolism Murr1 Domain containing (COMMD) family of 10 proteins are known to interact with ENaC. COMMD1, 3 and 9 have been shown to down-regulate ENaC, most likely through Nedd4-2, however, the other COMMD family members remain uncharacterized. To investigate the effects of the COMMD10 protein on ENaC trafficking and function, the interaction of ENaC and COMMD10 was confirmed. Stable COMMD10 knockdown in Fischer rat thyroid epithelia decreased ENaC current and this decreased current was associated with increased Nedd4-2 protein, a known negative regulator of ENaC. However, inhibition of Nedd4-2's ubiquitination of ENaC was only able to partially rescue the observed reduction in current. Stable COMMD10 knockdown results in defects both in endocytosis and recycling of transferrin suggesting COMMD10 likely interacts with multiple pathways to regulate ENaC and therefore could be involved in the long-term control of blood pressure.