Bardet-Biedl syndrome proteins are required for the localization of G protein-coupled receptors to primary cilia

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 18;105(11):4242-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0711027105. Epub 2008 Mar 11.

Abstract

Primary cilia are ubiquitous cellular appendages that provide important yet not well understood sensory and signaling functions. Ciliary dysfunction underlies numerous human genetic disorders. However, the precise defects in cilia function and the basis of disease pathophysiology remain unclear. Here, we report that the proteins disrupted in the human ciliary disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) are required for the localization of G protein-coupled receptors to primary cilia on central neurons. We demonstrate a lack of ciliary localization of somatostatin receptor type 3 (Sstr3) and melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (Mchr1) in neurons from mice lacking the Bbs2 or Bbs4 gene. Because Mchr1 is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and BBS is associated with hyperphagia-induced obesity, our results suggest that altered signaling caused by mislocalization of ciliary signaling proteins underlies the BBS phenotypes. Our results also provide a potential molecular mechanism to link cilia defects with obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bardet-Biedl Syndrome / genetics
  • Bardet-Biedl Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cilia / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / deficiency
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / metabolism*

Substances

  • BBS4 protein, mouse
  • Bbs2 protein, mouse
  • Mchr1 protein, mouse
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Somatostatin
  • somatostatin receptor 3