Microarray data reveal relationship between Jag1 and Ddr1 in mouse liver

PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e84383. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084383. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Alagille syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder involving bile duct paucity and cholestasis in addition to cardiac, skeletal, ophthalmologic, renal and vascular manifestations. Mutations in JAG1, encoding a ligand in the Notch signaling pathway, are found in 95% of patients meeting clinical criteria for Alagille syndrome. In order to define the role of Jag1 in the bile duct developmental abnormalities seen in ALGS, we previously created a Jag1 conditional knockout mouse model. Mice heterozygous for the Jag1 conditional and null alleles demonstrate abnormalities in postnatal bile duct growth and remodeling, with portal expansion and increased numbers of malformed bile ducts. In this study we report the results of microarray analysis and identify genes and pathways differentially expressed in the Jag1 conditional/null livers as compared with littermate controls. In the initial microarray analysis, we found that many of the genes up-regulated in the Jag1 conditional/null mutant livers were related to extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, cell adhesion and cell migration. One of the most highly up-regulated genes was Ddr1, encoding a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) belonging to a large RTK family. We have found extensive co-localization of Jag1 and Ddr1 in bile ducts and blood vessels in postnatal liver. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation data provide evidence for a novel protein interaction between Jag1 and Ddr1. Further studies will be required to define the nature of this interaction and its functional consequences, which may have significant implications for bile duct remodeling and repair of liver injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alagille Syndrome / genetics*
  • Alagille Syndrome / pathology
  • Animals
  • Azo Compounds
  • Bile Ducts / abnormalities*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Discoidin Domain Receptor 1
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Liver / blood supply
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Jag1 protein, mouse
  • Jagged-1 Protein
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Serrate-Jagged Proteins
  • Direct Red 81
  • Ddr1 protein, mouse
  • Discoidin Domain Receptor 1
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases