Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The stimulatory G-protein α-subunit encoded by GNAS exons 1-13 (GNAS-Gsα) mediates signal transduction of multiple G protein-coupled receptors, including arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2). Various germline-derived loss-of-function GNAS-Gsα variants of maternal and paternal origin have been found in pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, respectively. Specific somatic gain-of-function GNAS-Gsα variants have been detected in McCune-Albright syndrome and may result in phosphate wasting. However, no germline-derived gain-of-function variant has been identified, implying that such a variant causes embryonic lethality.Methods
We performed whole-exome sequencing in two families with dominantly inherited nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD) as a salient phenotype after excluding a gain-of-function variant of AVPR2 and functional studies for identified variants.Results
Whole-exome sequencing revealed two GNAS-Gsα candidate variants for NSIAD: GNAS-Gsα p.(F68_G70del) in one family and GNAS-Gsα p.(M255V) in one family. Both variants were absent from public and in-house databases. Of genes with rare variants, GNAS-Gsα alone was involved in AVPR2 signaling and shared by the families. Protein structural analyses revealed a gain-of-function-compatible conformational property for p.M255V-Gsα, although such assessment was not possible for p.F68_G70del-Gsα. Both variants had gain-of-function effects that were significantly milder than those of McCune-Albright syndrome-specific somatic Gsα variants. Model mice for p.F68_G70del-Gsα showed normal survivability and NSIAD-compatible phenotype, whereas those for p.M255V-Gsα exhibited severe failure to thrive.Conclusions
This study shows that germline-derived gain-of-function rare variants of GNAS-Gsα exist and cause NSIAD as a novel Gsα-mediated genetic disease. It is likely that AVPR2 signaling is most sensitive to GNAS-Gsα's gain-of-function effects.
SUBMITTER: Miyado M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6493982 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 20190408 5
<h4>Background</h4>The stimulatory G-protein <i>α</i>-subunit encoded by <i>GNAS</i> exons 1-13 (<i>GNAS</i>-Gs<i>α</i>) mediates signal transduction of multiple G protein-coupled receptors, including arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2). Various germline-derived loss-of-function <i>GNAS</i>-Gs<i>α</i> variants of maternal and paternal origin have been found in pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, respectively. Specific somatic gain-of-function <i>GNAS</i>-Gs<i ...[more]