Inversin, the gene product mutated in nephronophthisis type II, functions as a molecular switch between Wnt signaling pathways.

Abstract	Cystic renal diseases are caused by mutations of proteins that share a unique subcellular localization: the primary cilium of tubular epithelial cells. Mutations of the ciliary protein inversin cause nephronophthisis type II, an autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease characterized by extensive renal cysts, situs inversus and renal failure. Here we report that inversin acts as a molecular switch between different Wnt signaling cascades. Inversin inhibits the canonical Wnt pathway by targeting cytoplasmic dishevelled (Dsh or Dvl1) for degradation; concomitantly, it is required for convergent extension movements in gastrulating Xenopus laevis embryos and elongation of animal cap explants, both regulated by noncanonical Wnt signaling. In zebrafish, the structurally related switch molecule diversin ameliorates renal cysts caused by the depletion of inversin, implying that an inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling is required for normal renal development. Fluid flow increases inversin levels in ciliated tubular epithelial cells and seems to regulate this crucial switch between Wnt signaling pathways during renal development.
Authors	Matias Simons, Joachim Gloy, Athina Ganner, Axel Bullerkotte, Mikhail Bashkurov, Corinna Krönig, Bernhard Schermer, Thomas Benzing, Olga A Cabello, Andreas Jenny, Marek Mlodzik, Bozena Polok, Wolfgang Driever, Tomoko Obara, Gerd Walz
Journal	Nature genetics (Nat Genet) Vol. 37 Issue 5 Pg. 537-43 (May 2005) ISSN: 1061-4036 [Print] United States
PMID	15852005 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing DVL1 protein, Xenopus DVL1 protein, human Dishevelled Proteins Dvl1 protein, mouse INVS protein, human Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins Invs protein, mouse Phosphoproteins Transcription Factors Wnt Proteins Xenopus Proteins
Topics	Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing Animals Dishevelled Proteins Humans Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (metabolism) Phosphoproteins (genetics, metabolism) Signal Transduction (physiology) Transcription Factors (genetics, metabolism) Wnt Proteins Xenopus Proteins Zebrafish (embryology, genetics, metabolism)

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