FGFR1 and anosmin-1 underlying genetically distinct forms of Kallmann syndrome are co-expressed and interact in olfactory bulbs

Dev Genes Evol. 2007 Feb;217(2):169-75. doi: 10.1007/s00427-006-0125-0. Epub 2006 Dec 21.

Abstract

Kallmann syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous developmental disease characterised by a partial or complete lack of olfactory bulb development. Two genes underlying this disease have so far been identified: the KAL-1 gene, which encodes anosmin-1, an extracellular matrix protein that promotes axonal guidance and branch formation in vitro; and KAL-2, which encodes the known FGFR1. The implication of FGFR1 and anosmin-1 in the same developmental disease led us to test whether anosmin-1 and FGFR1 interact during the development of the olfactory system. In this paper, we showed that the two proteins co-localise in the olfactory bulb during development in rat. Using cross-immunoprecipitation assays of olfactory bulb extracts, we also demonstrated that anosmin-1 and FGFR1 are comprised within the same protein complex. Moreover, we show that anosmin-1 expression in CHO transfected cells increases FGFR1 accumulation, suggesting that anosmin-1 may act as a positive extracellular regulator of FGFR1 signalling. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that anosmin-1 is an essential component of a FGFR1 pathway that plays a key role during olfactory bulb morphogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kallmann Syndrome / embryology
  • Kallmann Syndrome / genetics*
  • Kallmann Syndrome / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Olfactory Bulb / abnormalities*
  • Olfactory Bulb / embryology
  • Olfactory Bulb / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / genetics*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • ANOS1 protein, human
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • FGFR1 protein, human
  • Fgfr1 protein, rat
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1