CEP41 is mutated in Joubert syndrome and is required for tubulin glutamylation at the cilium

Ji Eun Lee, Jennifer L. Silhavy, Maha S. Zaki, Jana Schroth, Stephanie L. Bielas, Sarah E. Marsh, Jesus Olvera, Francesco Brancati, Miriam Iannicelli, Koji Ikegami, Andrew M. Schlossman, Barry Merriman, Tania Attié-Bitach, Clare V. Logan, Ian A. Glass, Andrew Cluckey, Carrie M. Louie, Jeong Ho Lee, Hilary R. Raynes, Isabelle RapinIgnacio P. Castroviejo, Mitsutoshi Setou, Clara Barbot, Eugen Boltshauser, Stanley F. Nelson, Friedhelm Hildebrandt, Colin A. Johnson, Daniel A. Doherty, Enza Maria Valente, Joseph G. Gleeson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

141 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tubulin glutamylation is a post-translational modification that occurs predominantly in the ciliary axoneme and has been suggested to be important for ciliary function. However, its relationship to disorders of the primary cilium, termed ciliopathies, has not been explored. Here we mapped a new locus for Joubert syndrome (JBTS), which we have designated as JBTS15, and identified causative mutations in CEP41, which encodes a 41-kDa centrosomal protein. We show that CEP41 is localized to the basal body and primary cilia, and regulates ciliary entry of TTLL6, an evolutionarily conserved polyglutamylase enzyme. Depletion of CEP41 causes ciliopathy-related phenotypes in zebrafish and mice and results in glutamylation defects in the ciliary axoneme. Our data identify CEP41 mutations as a cause of JBTS and implicate tubulin post-translational modification in the pathogenesis of human ciliary dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)193-199
Number of pages7
JournalNature Genetics
Volume44
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

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