ADCK4 Deficiency Destabilizes the Coenzyme Q Complex
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BASIC RESEARCH www.jasn.org ADCK4 Deficiency Destabilizes the Coenzyme Q Complex, Which Is Rescued by 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid Treatment Eugen Widmeier ,1,2 Seyoung Yu,3,4 Anish Nag,5 Youn Wook Chung ,6 Makiko Nakayama,1 Lucía Fernández-del-Río,5 Hannah Hugo,1 David Schapiro,1 Florian Buerger,1 Won-Il Choi,1 Martin Helmstädter,2 Jae-woo Kim,4,7 Ji-Hwan Ryu ,4,6 Min Goo Lee,3,4 Catherine F. Clarke,5 Friedhelm Hildebrandt,1 and Heon Yung Gee 3,4 Due to the number of contributing authors, the affiliations are listed at the end of this article. ABSTRACT Background Mutations in ADCK4 (aarF domain containing kinase 4) generally manifest as steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and induce coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)deficiency. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome resulting from ADCK4 mutations are not well under- stood, largely because the function of ADCK4 remains unknown. BASIC RESEARCH Methods To elucidate the ADCK4’s function in podocytes, we generated a podocyte-specific, Adck4-knockout mouse model and a human podocyte cell line featuring knockout of ADCK4. These knockout mice and podo- cytes were then treated with 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4-diHB), a CoQ10 precursor analogue, or with a vehicle only. We also performed proteomic mass spectrometry analysis to further elucidate ADCK4’sfunction. Results Absence of Adck4 in mouse podocytes caused FSGS and albuminuria, recapitulating features of nephrotic syndrome caused by ADCK4 mutations. In vitro studies revealed that ADCK4-knockout podo- cytes had significantly reduced CoQ10 concentration, respiratory chain activity, and mitochondrial poten- tial, and subsequently displayed an increase in the number of dysmorphic mitochondria. However, treatment of 3-month-old knockout mice or ADCK4-knockout cells with 2,4-diHB prevented the develop- ment of renal dysfunction and reversed mitochondrial dysfunction in podocytes. Moreover, ADCK4 inter- acted with mitochondrial proteins such as COQ5, as well as cytoplasmic proteins such as myosin and heat shock proteins. Thus, ADCK4 knockout decreased the COQ complex level, but overexpression of ADCK4 in ADCK4-knockout podocytes transfected with wild-type ADCK4 rescued the COQ5 level. Conclusions Our study shows that ADCK4 is required for CoQ10 biosynthesis and mitochondrial function in podocytes, and suggests that ADCK4 in podocytes stabilizes proteins in complex Q in podocytes. Our study also suggests a potential treatment strategy for nephrotic syndrome resulting from ADCK4 mutations. JASN 31: 1191–1211, 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2019070756 Coenzyme Q (CoQ, ubiquinone)—a lipophilic com- Received July 30, 2019. Accepted February 22, 2020. ponent located in the inner mitochondrial mem- E.W. and S.Y. contributed equally to this work. brane, Golgi apparatus, and cell membranes—plays Published online ahead of print. Publication date available at 1 a pivotal role in oxidative phosphorylation. CoQ www.jasn.org. shuttles electrons from complexes I and II to complex Correspondence: Prof. Heon Yung Gee, Department of Pharma- 2 III in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It also has cology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Avison BioMedical a critical function in antioxidant defense because of Research Center Rm#225, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 3 03722, Republic of Korea, or Dr. Friedhelm Hildebrandt, Boston its redox potential. The CoQ biosynthesis pathway Children’s Hospital, EN561, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA has been extensively studied in Saccharomyces cere- 02115. E-mail: [email protected] or friedhelm.hildebrandt@childrens. visiae.4 A minimum of 12 proteins, encoded by the harvard.edu Coq genes, form a complex that serves to stabilize Copyright © 2020 by the American Society of Nephrology JASN 31: 1191–1211, 2020 ISSN : 1046-6673/3106-1191 1191 BASIC RESEARCH www.jasn.org each other and is involved in coenzyme synthesis.5 Based on Significance Statement protein homology, approximately 15 homologous COQ genes have been identified in humans.1 ADCK4 mutations generally manifest as steroid-resistant nephrotic fi Primary CoQ deficiencies due to mutations in ubiquinone syndrome, and cause coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)de ciency. However, ’ biosynthetic genes (COQ2, COQ4, COQ6, COQ7, COQ9, ADCK4 s function remains obscure. Using mouse and cell models, the authors demonstrated that podocyte-specific Adck4 deletion in PDSS1, PDSS2, aarF domain containing kinase 3 [ADCK3], mice significantly reduced survival and caused severe FSGS, effects – and ADCK4) have been identified.6 12 Clinical manifestations that were prevented by treatment with 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid of CoQ10 deficiency vary depending on the genes involved, (2,4-diHB), a CoQ10 precursor analogue. ADCK4-knockout podo- fi and mutations in the same gene can result in diverse pheno- cytes exhibited a signi cantly reduced CoQ10 level and defects in types depending on the mutated allele.13 COQ2,11 COQ6,10 mitochondrial function that were rescued by 2,4-diHB treatment, thus these phenotypes were attributed to decreased CoQ levels. 9 12 10 PDSS2, and ADCK4 have also been implicated in steroid- The authors also found that ADCK4 interacted with mitochondrial resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Although no effec- proteins, including COQ5, and that ADCK4 knockout decreased tive therapy has been described for SRNS, supplementation of COQ complex levels. These findings reveal that ADCK4 is required for CoQ biosynthesis and mitochondrial function in podocytes, CoQ10 in cases of SRNS resulting from CoQ deficiency acts to 10 alleviate the associated clinical symptoms.10,12,14 This is par- and suggests a treatment strategy for nephrotic syndrome caused by ADCK4 mutations. tially true for ADCK4-related glomerulopathy and several cases have been reported accordingly.12,14 Recently, 2,4- dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4-diHB) has been shown to amelio- METHODS rate disparate phenotypes in yeast, mouse, and Caenorhabditis elegans models harboring a mutation in the respective Mouse Breeding and Maintenance COQ7, Mclk1,orclk-1 genes.15–17 In these studies, 2,4- The animal experimental protocols were reviewed and ap- diHB was shown to act as an alternate or “bypass” ring proved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee precursor, able to restore endogenous CoQ biosynthesis. In at the University of Michigan (#08619), Boston Children’s addition, 2,4-diHB prevents renal disease of podocyte- Hospital (#13-01-2283), and Yonsei University College of 2 2 specific Coq6 / mice.18 Medicine (#2015-0179). All mice were handled in accordance ADCK3 (also known as COQ8A) and ADCK4 are two with the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Ani- mammalian orthologs of yeast Coq8p/Abc1, which belong mals. Mice were housed under pathogen-free conditions with to the microbial UbiB family; they appear to result from a light period from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and had ad libitum access gene duplication in vertebrates.6,19 UbiB and Coq8p are to water and irradiated rodent chow (catalog #0006972; required for CoQ biosynthesis in prokaryotes and yeast, re- LabDiet, St. Louis, MO). Targeted Adck4tm1a(EUCOMM)Hmgu spectively, and are speculated to activate an unknown mono- (Adck4tm1a) embryonic stem cells were obtained from oxygenase in the CoQ biosynthesis pathway.19 Coq8p, EUCOMM and injected into the blastocysts of mice. Chimeric ADCK3, and ADCK4 are present on the matrix side of the mice were bred with C57BL/6J mice to establish germline 1 1 inner mitochondrial membrane.20–22 Coq8p is essential for transmission. Nphs2.Cre (stock #008205) and Pgk1.Flpo the organization of high molecular mass Coq polypeptide (#011065) mice were obtained from Jackson Laboratory. complexes and for phosphorylated forms of the Coq3, Mouse lines were bred onto the C57BL/6J genetic background. Coq5, and Coq7 polypeptides that are involved in methyl- Genotyping was performed by PCR using the following pri- ation and hydroxylation steps in CoQ biosynthesis.21,23 Sim- mers: #1, GGATAGGGGGCTGGAGAGATG; #2, GCCCGC ilarly, it has been shown that ADCK3 interacts with CoQ CTCCCTGTATCTTAG; #3, TCGGAGAGGAAAGGACTG biosynthesis enzymes in a protein complex (complex Q).24 GAG; #4, CCCTTTCCCTTGAGTTCACAGC; and #5, TGG Moreover, ADCK3 lacks protein kinase activity in the trans CCTCAAACTCATGAAAATACTCC. Mice were maintained form; exhibits ATPase activity; and has highly conserved, un- in mixed sex and were randomly assigned to the different ex- orthodox protein kinase–like domains, including the KxGQ perimental groups. For mouse studies, experimental results motif, present in UbiB and eukaryotic COQ8 homologs, in- were validated over multiple litters, across several generations cluding ADCK4.25 of the mouse colony with n.6. Data collection of urine, whole However, it is not clear whether ADCK4 functions in a blood, and plasma analysis data were blinded to genotype so manner similar to that of ADCK3. Mutations in the ADCK4 that the operator did not know the genotype during perform- (also known as COQ8B) gene generally manifest as ing the measurements. Histologic and ultrastructural analysis adolescence-onset SRNS, sometimes accompanied with med- was not blinded to genotype but all samples were processed ullary nephrocalcinosis or extrarenal symptoms, including using the same protocol. seizures.12,26 The molecular mechanisms underlying SRNS resulting from ADCK4 mutations are not well understood, Supplementation of 2,4-diHB to the Mice in Drinking largely because the function of ADCK4 is unclear. Therefore, Water in this study, we investigated the function of ADCK4 using 2,4-diHB at a concentration of 25 mM was administered to mouse and cell models. the mice via drinking water and changed twice a week. 1192 JASN JASN 31: 1191–1211, 2020 www.jasn.org BASIC RESEARCH The treatment was started at 3 months of age and continued eosin, Periodic acid–Schiff, Masson trichrome, SFOG, and up to 18 months of age. Jones silver stain following the standard protocols for histo- logic examination. Urine Analysis Urine was collected by housing the mice overnight (12 hours) Ultrastructural Analysis in metabolic cages. All samples were immediately frozen and The kidney tissues and cells were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, stored at 280°C.