The ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-2/NEDD4L regulates both sodium homeostasis and fibrotic signaling to prevent end-stage renal disease

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Apr 14;12(4):398. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03688-7.

Abstract

Kidney disease progression can be affected by Na+ abundance. A key regulator of Na+ homeostasis is the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-2 and its deficiency leads to increased Na+ transport activity and salt-sensitive progressive kidney damage. However, the mechanisms responsible for high Na+ induced damage remain poorly understood. Here we show that a high Na+ diet compromised kidney function in Nedd4-2-deficient mice, indicative of progression toward end-stage renal disease. Injury was characterized by enhanced tubule dilation and extracellular matrix accumulation, together with sustained activation of both Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling. Nedd4-2 knockout in cortical collecting duct cells also activated these pathways and led to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, low dietary Na+ rescued kidney disease in Nedd4-2-deficient mice and silenced Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling. Our study reveals the important role of NEDD4-2-dependent ubiquitination in Na+ homeostasis and protecting against aberrant Wnt/β-catenin/TGF-β signaling in progressive kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / physiology*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / metabolism
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / prevention & control*
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Sodium / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Xenopus laevis / metabolism

Substances

  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport
  • Ubiquitin
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Sodium
  • Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases