Leucine-zipper-like posttranslational regulator 1 (LZTR1) is a member of the BTB-Kelch superfamily, which regulates the RAS proteostasis. Autosomal dominant (AD) mutations in LZTR1 have been identified in patients with Noonan syndrome (NS), a congenital anomaly syndrome. However, it remains unclear whether LZTR1 AD mutations regulate the proteostasis of the RAS subfamily molecules or cause NS-like phenotypes in vivo. To elucidate the pathogenesis of LZTR1 mutations, we generated 2 LZTR1 mutation knock-in mice (Lztr1G245R/+ and Lztr1R409C/+), which correspond to the human p.G248R and p.R412C mutations, respectively. LZTR1-mutant male mice exhibit low birth weight, distinctive facial features, and cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiomyocyte size and the expression of RAS subfamily members, including MRAS and RIT1, were significantly increased in the left ventricles (LVs) of mutant male mice. LZTR1 AD mutants did not interact with RIT1 and functioned as dominant-negative forms of WT LZTR1. Multi-omics analysis revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was activated in the LVs of mutant mice. Treatment with the MEK inhibitor trametinib ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy in mutant male mice. These results suggest that the MEK/ERK pathway is a therapeutic target for the NS-like phenotype resulting from dysfunction of RAS proteostasis by LZTR1 AD mutations.
Keywords: Development; Drug therapy; Genetic diseases; Genetics; Mouse models.