Loss of ADAMTS9 disrupts ciliogenesis and collagen homeostasis resulting in Nephronophthisis-like polycystic kidneys.

ABSTRACT: ADAMTS9 mutations cause the ciliopathies nephronophthisis and Joubert syndrome. Here we show that deletion of ADAMTS9 in the proximal nephron leads to polycystic kidney development in mice. In males, Adamts9 deletion cause kidneys to become highly cystic but remain small without undergoing enlargement, causing early postnatal lethality. Female mice on the other hand, develop cystic kidneys but progress slowly. ADAMTS9 deletion disrupted ciliogenesis by the loss of ciliary transition zone (TZ) protein TMEM67 cleavage, leading to loss of the MKS/B9 module - a key component of the ciliary gate. Functional analysis of all eight ciliopathy patient variants of ADAMTS9 identified to date, showed TMEM67 C-terminus failed to localize to the transition zone, thus disrupting a ke

SUBMITTER: Fischer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12803049 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature