Hibris, a Drosophila nephrin homolog, is required for presenilin-mediated Notch and APP-like cleavages.

ABSTRACT: Drosophila Hibris (Hbs), a member of the Nephrin Immunoglobulin Super Family, has been implicated in myogenesis and eye patterning. Here, we uncover a role of Hbs in Notch (N) signaling and ?-secretase processing. Loss of hbs results in classical N-signaling-associated phenotypes in Drosophila, including eye patterning, wing margin, and sensory organ specification defects. In particular, hbs mutant larvae display altered ?-secretase-dependent Notch proteolytic processing. Hbs also interacts molecularly and genetically with Presenilin (Psn) and other components of the ?-secretase complex. This Hbs function appears conserved, as mammalian Nephrin also promotes N signaling in mammalian cells. Our data suggest that Hbs is required for Psn maturation. Consistent with its role in Psn processing, Hbs genetically interacts with the Drosophila ?-amyloid protein precursor-like (Appl) protein, the homolog of mammalian APP, the cleavage of which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Thus, Hbs/Nephrin appear to share a general requirement in Psn/?-secretase regulation and associated processes.

SUBMITTER: Singh J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3475182 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature