O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification of proteins is essential for foot process maturation and survival in podocytes

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Abstract

Background. O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation) is a post-translational modification of intracellular proteins, serving as a nutrient sensor. Growing evidence has demonstrated its physiological and pathological importance in various mammalian tissues. This study examined the physiological role of O-GlcNAcylation in podocyte function and development. Methods. O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt) is a critical enzyme for O-GlcNAcylation and resides on the X chromosome. To abrogate O-GlcNAcylation in podocytes, we generated congenital and tamoxifen (TM)-inducible podocyte-specific Ogt knockout mice (Podo-Ogty/- and TM-Podo-Ogty/-, respectively) and analyzed their renal phenotypes. Results. Podo-Ogty/- mice showed normal podocyte morphology at birth. However, they developed albuminuria at 8 weeks of age, increasing progressively until age 32 weeks. Glomerular sclerosis, proteinuria-related tubulointerstitial lesions and markedly altered podocyte foot processes, with decreased podocin expression, were observed histologically in 32-week-old Podo-Ogty/- mice. Next, we induced adult-onset deletion of the Ogt gene in podocytes by TM injection in 8-week-old TM-Podo-Ogty/- mice. In contrast to Podo-Ogty/- mice, the induced TM-Podo-Ogty/- mice did not develop albuminuria or podocyte damage, suggesting a need for O-GlcNAcylation to form mature foot processes after birth. To test this possibility, 3-week-old Podo-Ogty/- mice were treated with Bis-T-23, which stimulates actin-dependent dynamin oligomerization, actin polymerization and subsequent foot process elongation in podocytes. Albuminuria and podocyte damage in 16-week-old Podo-Ogty/- mice were prevented by Bis-T-23 treatment. Conclusions. O-GlcNAcylation is necessary for maturation of podocyte foot processes, particularly after birth. Our study provided new insights into podocyte biology and OGlcNAcylation.

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Ono, S., Kume, S., Yasuda-Yamahara, M., Yamahara, K., Takeda, N., Chin-Kanasaki, M., … Maegawa, H. (2017). O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification of proteins is essential for foot process maturation and survival in podocytes. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 32(9), 1477–1487. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfw463

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