A missense mutation in LRR8 of RXFP2 is associated with cryptorchidism

Mamm Genome. 2010 Oct;21(9-10):442-9. doi: 10.1007/s00335-010-9291-5. Epub 2010 Oct 22.

Abstract

Using genome-wide mutagenesis with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), a mouse mutant with cryptorchidism was identified. Genome mapping and exon sequencing identified a novel missense mutation (D294G) in Relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (Rxfp2). The mutation impaired testicular descent and resulted in decreased testis weight in Rxfp2 ( DG/DG ) mice compared to Rxfp2 (+/DG ) and Rxfp2 (+/+) mice. Testicular histology of the Rxfp2 ( DG/DG ) mice revealed spermatogenic defects ranging from germ cell loss to tubules with Sertoli-cell-only features. Genetic complementation analysis using a loss-of-function allele (Rxfp2 (-)) confirmed causality of the D294G mutation. Specifically, mice with one of each mutant allele (Rxfp2 ( DG/-)) exhibited decreased testis weight and failure of the testes to descend compared to their Rxfp2 (+/-) littermates. Total and cell-surface expression of mouse RXFP2 protein and intracellular cAMP accumulation were measured. Total expression of the D294G protein was minimally reduced compared to wild-type, but cell-surface expression was markedly decreased. When analyzed for cAMP accumulation, the EC50 was similar for cells transfected with wild-type and mutant RXFP2 receptor. However, the maximum cAMP response that the mutant receptor reached was greatly reduced compared to the wild-type receptor. In silico modeling of leucine rich repeats (LRRs) 7-9 indicated that aspartic acid 294 is located within the β-pleated sheet of LRR8. We thus postulate that mutation of D294 results in protein misfolding and aberrant trafficking. The ENU-induced D294G mutation underscores the role of the INSL3/RXFP2-mediated pathway in testicular descent and expands the repertoire of mutations known to affect receptor trafficking and function.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cryptorchidism / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ethylnitrosourea
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Testis / abnormalities
  • Testis / physiopathology

Substances

  • RXFP2 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Ethylnitrosourea

Associated data

  • RefSeq/NM_080468