l7Rn6 encodes a novel protein required for clara cell function in mouse lung development.

Titlel7Rn6 encodes a novel protein required for clara cell function in mouse lung development.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsFernández-Valdivia, R, Zhang, Y, Pai, S, Metzker, ML, Schumacher, A
JournalGenetics
Volume172
Issue1
Pagination389-99
Date Published2006 Jan
ISSN0016-6731
KeywordsAmino Acid Sequence, Animals, Base Sequence, Bronchi, Cell Differentiation, Cloning, Molecular, Cytoplasm, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Enzyme Inhibitors, Epithelial Cells, Ethylnitrosourea, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Gestational Age, Golgi Apparatus, Lung, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Molecular Sequence Data, Phospholipases A, Pregnancy, Proteins, Pulmonary Alveoli, Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B, Rabbits, Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, Uteroglobin
Abstract

The highly secretory Clara cells play a pivotal role in protecting the lung against inflammation and oxidative stress. This study reports the positional cloning of a novel protein required for Clara cell physiology in mouse lung development. The perinatal lethal N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced l7Rn6(4234SB) allele contained a nonsense mutation in the previously hypothetical gene NM_026304 on chromosome 7. Whereas l7Rn6 mRNA levels were indistinguishable from wild type, l7Rn6(4234SB) homozygotes exhibited decreased expression of the truncated protein, suggesting protein instability. During late gestation, l7Rn6 was widely expressed in the cytoplasm of lung epithelial cells, whereas perinatal expression was restricted to the bronchiolar epithelium. Homozygosity for the l7Rn6(4234SB) allele did not affect early steps in lung patterning, growth, or cellular differentiation. Rather, mutant lungs demonstrated severe emphysematous enlargement of the distal respiratory sacs at birth. Clara cell pathophysiology was evident from decreased cytoplasmic CCSP and SP-B protein levels, enlargement and disorganization of the Golgi complex, and formation of aberrant vesicular structures. Additional support for a role in the secretory pathway derived from l7Rn6 localization to the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, l7Rn6 represents a novel protein required for organization and/or function of the secretory apparatus in Clara cells in mouse lung.

DOI10.1534/genetics.105.048736
Alternate JournalGenetics
PubMed ID16157679
PubMed Central IDPMC1456166

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