ATP-2 interacts with the PLAT domain of LOV-1 and is involved in Caenorhabditis elegans polycystin signaling

Mol Biol Cell. 2005 Feb;16(2):458-69. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e04-09-0851. Epub 2004 Nov 24.

Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful model to study the molecular basis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is caused by mutations in the polycystic kidney disease (PKD)1 or PKD2 gene, encoding polycystin (PC)-1 or PC-2, respectively. The C. elegans polycystins LOV-1 and PKD-2 are required for male mating behaviors and are localized to sensory cilia. The function of the evolutionarily conserved polycystin/lipoxygenase/alpha-toxin (PLAT) domain found in all PC-1 family members remains an enigma. Here, we report that ATP-2, the beta subunit of the ATP synthase, physically associates with the LOV-1 PLAT domain and that this interaction is evolutionarily conserved. In addition to the expected mitochondria localization, ATP-2 and other ATP synthase components colocalize with LOV-1 and PKD-2 in cilia. Disrupting the function of the ATP synthase or overexpression of atp-2 results in a male mating behavior defect. We further show that atp-2, lov-1, and pkd-2 act in the same molecular pathway. We propose that the ciliary localized ATP synthase may play a previously unsuspected role in polycystin signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / chemistry
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Genes, Helminth / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / chemistry*
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / genetics
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism*
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal
  • Signal Transduction
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • Proteins
  • TRPP Cation Channels
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • kctd12.1 protein, zebrafish
  • polycystic kidney disease 1 protein
  • polycystic kidney disease 2 protein
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases