The role of WD40 repeat-containing proteins in endocrine (dys)function

Abstract

WD40 repeat-containing proteins play a key role in many cellular functions including signal transduction, protein degradation, and apoptosis. The WD40 domain is highly conserved, and its typical structure is a β-propeller consisting of 4–8 blades which probably serves as a scaffold for protein–protein interaction. Some WD40 repeat-containing proteins form part of the corepressor complex of nuclear hormone receptors, a family of ligand-dependent transcription factors that play a central role in the regulation of gene transcription. This explains their involvement in endocrine physiology and pathology. In the present review, we first touch upon the structure of WD40 repeat-containing proteins. Next, we describe our current understanding of the role of WD40 domain-containing proteins in nuclear receptor signaling, e.g., as corepressor or coactivator. In the final part of this review, we focus on WD40 domain-containing proteins that are associated with endocrine pathologies. These pathologies vary from isolated dysfunction of one endocrine axis, e.g., congenital isolated central hypothyroidism, to more complex congenital syndromes comprising endocrine phenotypes, such as the Triple-A syndrome.